1、Say Yes,Tobias Wolff,What kinds of person you would like to marry? Have you ever thought of marrying a foreigner or a black person?,Questions / Activities,Work in pairs and discuss the following two questions. Keep a record of your opinions to see whether they will change as the text is analyzed in
2、detail. Is the man a good husband? Cite textual evidence to support your view.Is the man a racist? Cite textual evidence to support your view.,Check-on Preview,pitch in onpinchresort tomop spraysnap throughdemonstrateblur outcome up with,this trickthe houseworkthe silverwarethe floorher browsher ind
3、ifferencethe pagesthe right answerthe stars,Match the verbs with the nouns.,Mark the following statements T, for true and F for false.,The story is set in the 1960s in the US when racial issues were hot on everybodys mind and lips. The story happened between two middle-aged people who had been marri
4、ed for about 30 years.The man had never thought that he was a racist and felt greatly wronged by his wife who implied this.The man was considerate, rational and forgiving while his wife was selfish, emotional and ridiculous. The husband had known all along what his wife wanted from him, but simply d
5、idnt want to give in to her.After the husband turned off the light, someone broke into their house and made some strange noise.,FTTFTF,Check-on Preview,Objectives,Know something about the author and his works.Gather some background information about racism and sexism in the US.Learn to appreciate th
6、e short story.Master the language items listed. Understand the story and appreciate its subtlety as much as possible.Think about the themes of the story and form your own opinions.,Hi s Life,Tobias Wolff (1945-),Born in Alabama USA in 1945.Parents divorced when he was a boy; traveled widely with his
7、 mother; soon forced to endure life under his strict and cruel stepfather. From 1964 to 1968, lieutenant with the U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Berets) in Vietnam. B.A. (1972) and M.A. (1975) from Oxford University with First Class Honors in English, a second M.A. from Stanford.A revered writer& t
8、eacher of creative writing and literature in Stanford and elsewhere.,The Author,His Works,Short stories (O Henry Award): “In the Garden of the North American Martyrs” (1981)“Next Door” (1982)“Sister” (1985)Our Story Begins (short story collection in 2003, The Story Prize in 2004)Memoirs: This Boys L
9、ife: A Memoir (1989)In Pharaohs Army: Memories of the Lost War(1994)Novels:The Barracks Thief (1984, PEN/Faukner Award for Fiction) Old School (2003),This Boys LifeFilm Poster,His Style,A direct writing style, obeying the “show, dont tell” maxim, leaving much to the readers intuitionNon-dramatic, fo
10、cusing more on the psychological dimensions of a character in dilemmas than on plot developmentOften understated, forcing readers to become engaged in the collection of strands that will result in the full comprehension of a story. Exploring alienation, the nature of lying, and the essential foundat
11、ions of relationshipsHoping to instruct and inspire people to triumph over their situations through character change and development,Culture Tips,Definition: Racism is prejudice or discrimination based on the belief that race is the primary factor determining human traits and abilities. Racism inclu
12、des the belief that genetic or inherited differences produce the inherent superiority or inferiority of one race over another. Institutional racism: e.g. the Jim Crow laws in the US from 1876 to 1965 mandating segregation in all public facilities in the southern states of the former Confederacy with
13、 a supposedly “separate but equal” status for the black Americans; officially overruled with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.Overt and subtle racism: The Civil Rights Movement did away much overt racism, but racism persists in many subtle forms, in many aspects and on
14、many levels.,Racism,Ku Klux Klan,Ku Klux Klan also known as KKK: a secret white supremacist organization at various times in American history terrorized blacks and white sympathizers with violent acts of lynching, shootings and whippings.Founded: 1866Founder: Confederate Civil War veteransHeadquarte
15、rs: Powderly, Kentucky; Butler, Indiana; Jasper, TexasBackground: The Klan has fragmented into scores of competing factions. Most of these are nominally independent. Estimated size: no more than a few thousand, organized into slightly more than 100 units,Media: mass mailings, leaflets and the Intern
16、etStrategy: public rallies and protests Ideology: some Christian fundamentalist beliefs, Christian Identity, white supremacy Financial support: littleTargeting those set free after the American Civil Warthe African Americans, KKK designed to spread fear throughout the Black population that still liv
17、ed in the southern states. The most hatred was directed against the poor black families in the south who were very vulnerable to attack. With the enactment of Congressional legislation and enforcement of the law by the federal government, the Klan was extinguished in 18711872.,Culture Tips,Race & Ma
18、rriageDespite the public opposition to interracial marriage, in 1948, the California Supreme Court became the first state high court to declare a ban on interracial marriage unconstitutional. The decision was controversial, courageous and correct. At that time, 38 states still forbade interracial ma
19、rriage, and six did so by state constitutional provision. Then, in 1967, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the remaining interracial marriage laws nation-wide.,Culture Tips,Sexism As with racism, overt sexism is not very much on display now in much of the world. But subtle sexism persists and can b
20、e found everywhere at all time. It is a cluster of social expectations and practices that reinforce sex-based inequality. For example: At school: more boys in science classes and more girls in arts classes (boys are logical while girls are imaginative)At work: a male boss and a female secretary, and
21、 rarely the other way around (we have “career women” and “family men” but no “career men” and “family women”)At home: housework regarded as the wifes responsibility whether she has a full-time job or not (the husband reputed as a considerate one because he “pitched in on the housework”),Genre,A Shor
22、t StorySettingCharactersConflictPlot:Narrative point of view:Characterization:,: kitchen, cleaning up after dinner, USA, 1980s,: husband & wife, white, middle-aged, middle-class,: different views on interracial marriages,casual talk, argument, hurt feelings, failed attempt at reconciliation,3rd pers
23、on, the husband,showing instead of telling,General Comprehension,Answer the following questions with the information from the text.,Is the quarrel between the husband and wife an ordinary quarrel? What does the talk touch upon?,No, it isnt. It touches upon the issue of racism.,General Comprehension,
24、Answer the following questions with the information from the text.,Does the man oppose marriage between a black and a white? What are his arguments?,He opposes the marriage between a black and a white. His basic arguments are that blacks and whites have different cultures. They cannot know each othe
25、r.,What kind of woman is the wife? Is she too critical? What does she think the marriage between blacks and whites?,She is honest and square. She thinks the marriage between a black and a white is perfectly natural, if they love each other.,General Comprehension,Answer the following questions with t
26、he information from the text.,Why does the woman corner her husband by keeping asking him whether he would marry her if she were black?,She seems to have found that her husband has subtle racist nature.,Do you think the husband knows his wife very well?,He seems to understand her wife well and is co
27、nfident of manipulating any awkward situation. But actually, to him his wife is a stranger.,Structure,The argument: The husband disapproved interracial marriages on the ground of cultural differences while the wife approved on the ground of love. The wound: The wife was hurt; the husband helped her
28、quickly and hoped she would reward him by letting go of the topic.The question: The wife persistently asked whether her husband would marry her if she were black and got a straight no in the end. The anger: The husband felt deeply hurt by his wifes indifference to him but then decided to forgive her
29、 out of love.The stranger: When the husband tried to make up with his wife, he found her a stranger despite three decades of marriage.,Para. 1-18Para 19-24Para 25-44Para 45-48Para 49-57,Theme,The theme of this story is everybodys guess. So what is yours?Attitudes towards interracial marriages (racis
30、m)?Man-woman relationships (feminism)?The unreasonable nature of women?The arrogance of men? The impossibility of effective communication?/Alienation in modern society?,Word Study,appreciate,You cant really appreciate foreign literature in translation. (to recognize the good qualities of sb./ sth.)S
31、he never really appreciated the depth and bitterness of the familys conflict.( be fully aware of; realize fully)Peter stood by me when I most needed it. Ill always appreciate that.(be grateful for)N. appreciationAdj. appreciative,Congratulate,Vt. Congratulate sb. (on sth.) - to tell sb. that you are
32、 pleased about their success or achievements 向（某人）道贺Eg: She congratulated me warmly on my exam results.Congratulate yourself ( on sth.) - (为成就或成功）感到高兴，自豪Eg: You can congratulate yourself on having done an excellent job.N. congratulation to offer/ send congratulations to sb. 向致以祝贺,Consider,Were consi
33、dering buying a new car.( to think carefully about 仔细考虑）This award is considered to be a great honor.( to think of sb./sth. In a particular way 以为，觉得)You should consider other people before you act.( to think about sth. Esp. the feelings of other people, and be influenced by it when making a decisio
34、n, etc.体谅， 顾及）Considerate, considerable, considering, consideration,1. It is _ _of you not to play the piano while I was having a sleep.2. _ its low risk, that might be a safe option, experts said.3. _ use should be made of these data.4. Please take the price into _.,considerate,Considering,Consider
35、able,consideration,consider,Syn: deem, regard, account, reckon,demonstrate,The study demonstrates the link between poverty and malnutrition. (to show clearly)In the cities vast crowds have been demonstrating for change. (protest)Have they, for example, demonstrated a commitment to democracy? (displa
36、y),drain,1. I watched the bath water drain away. (flow off gradually)2. Working with children all day really drains you. (to make sb. physically and emotionally exhausted)3. Huge imports were draining the countrys currency reserves. ( be used up completely),rummage,She was rummaging around in her ba
37、g for her keys.I rummaged through the contents of the box until I found the book I wanted.What does the word “rummage” mean here?(to move things around carelessly while searching for sth.),snap,Dont snap at me! Its not my fault that you lost your wallet! (to say angrily)别冲我嚷嚷！你丢了钱包又不是我的错！She snapped
38、 the suitcase shut and left angrily. ( to move suddenly)她啪的一声关上手提箱，怒气冲冲地走掉了。,We attach labels to things before we file them away. The girl is very much attached to her grandparents. She attached great value to being financially independent. He is thirty two, he is gorgeous, hes got his own house, an
39、d whats more, he is unattached.,v. 1. to fasten, secure, or join, connect 2. to bind by emotional ties, as of affection or loyalty,attach,Word Formation,attachedunattachedattachment,Antonym,detach,Word review,Appreciate congratulate snap Consider drain demonstrate unattached rummage,We shouldnt _ ou
40、r customers to be mere customers; we consider them to be our friends.I _ through the contents of the box until I found the book I wanted.His sudden departure had _ how unreliable he was.His talents are not fully _ in that company.Miners built the tunnel to _water out of the mines.Imalso verywarmandp
41、assionate.mature,sincere,good-hearted, _foreigngentlemen.The policeman _ the handcuffs around her wrist.,consider,rummaged,demonstrated,appreciated,drain,unattached,snapped,Matching,GestureSprayGreasyIndifferenceCoverHypocriticaldabRinsetighten,A piece of material, a cloth used on a bed to make it w
42、armerSth. you do or say to show a particular feeling or intentionCovered with oil or fatLack of interest or concernPretending to have moral standard or opinions that they do not actually haveTo touch lightly or gently several times;to spread liquid in small drops over an areaTo become or make sth. b
43、ecome tight or tighterTo wash sth. in clean water so as to take away soap,Phrases,Pitch inTake ones word for itCome to ones aidFor ones sake= for the sake ofCome up withOut of concernDab at sth.,Offer help and support actively 投入，做出贡献To believe what sb. says is true相信某人的话To help or support去帮助某人Becau
44、se of /for the purpose of因为/为了. To think of (a plan, reply, etc); to produce 想出. 提出Because of concern出于关心To touch lightly or gently, usu. Several times轻拍，轻敷,Make it up to sb.Feel corneredResort toCome alongBreak up,To do sth. good for sb. because you feel responsible for sth. bad that happened betwe
45、en you弥补To feel forced into a situation where its hard to escape感觉落入陷阱To use sth. for help, because you cant find any other way of acting诉诸于，采取To appear or arrive by chance偶尔出现，产生To come or bring to an end, esp. by separating结束，解散,Translation,1. People often resort to body language when words fail.
46、词不达意时人们常借助于肢体语言。2. Take my word for it, time will heal all wounds and cure all pains.相信我，时间会治疗一切伤痛。3. My brother pitched in with an offer to loan us some money. 我弟弟主动借钱给我。4. An anonymous millionaire has come to the companys aid by lending it the money it needs to keep it in business. 一个匿名的百万富翁借钱给公司使
47、它正常运行，这解了公司的燃眉之急。,5. 学生也是有感情的，不愿有被逼迫的感觉。 Students are people who have feelings and dont want to feel cornered.6. 有些婚姻因性格不合而破裂，有的因原则问题而破裂。 Some marriages break up because of personality clashes and some because of principle problems. 7. 为了关心在寒冷的冬夜里无家可归的人们，政府设立了这些临时收容所。 The government set up these tem
48、porary shelters out of concern for the homeless on the cold winter nights.,Writing,Pitch in, Come to ones aid, For ones sake, Come up with, Out of concern, Dab at sth., Make it up to sb., Feel cornered, Resort to, Break up,Write a paragraph by using at least 5 phrases from below and then report your writing to the whole class.,
