1、Unit 12 Disney World:,Cities of Simulation as Postmodern Utopias,Four theme parks,Magic Kingdom,EPCOT (Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow ),Disney-MGM Studios(迪士尼-米高梅影城 ),Animal Kingdom,PART I: CLASS PLANNING,1. Teaching Materials Textbook: An Integrated English Book 6; Teachers Book Dicti
2、onaries: Oxford Advanced Learners English-Chinese Dictionary (Fourth edition); A New English-Chinese Dictionary.,2. Teaching Objectives To know about the shift of addressing forms and the specific functions. To understand the authors purpose of writing this essay. To grasp the new words and expressi
3、ons;,3. Time Allocation Periods 1-2: Analysis of Text I; Part I of the text (Paras 1-4) Periods 3-4 : Part II,4. Teaching Methods 1) Interactive teaching 2) Communicative teaching,PART II: TEACHING LECTURES Periods 1-2 ( 80 min ), Warm-up Questions: 1. What does Disney World evoke in you?2. What can
4、 we learn from Disney World?,Contents: About the Lesson,The author gives his critical view on Disney World from two perspectives: Why does this park have such a great appeal to its visitors? And how does modern technology plays its paradoxical roles in Disney?,Structural Analysis of Text I:,This exp
5、ository essay may be divided into 4 parts as follows: 1. Part I (Para. 1-4) : the author explains the illusion, idealized reality and fantasies created by Disney. 2. Part II (Paras 5-7 ) : the author probes the implications of modern technology in Disney World. 3. Part III (Paras 8 9): the author mo
6、ves on to discuss the difference between the perfect world as desired by humanity and that of Disney World. 4. Part IV (Paras. 10-11): the author raises the question about our relationship with technology and cautioned us against the greatest negative aspects of Disney World., Detailed Study of Part
7、 I (paras. 1-4) of Text I:,Text Analysis Paragraph 1 The first paragraph is part of the section in which the author explains the illusion (Paragraph 1), idealized reality (Paragraphs 2 and 3 ) and fantasies (Paragraph 4) created by Disney.,1)“ In various attractions” - In Disney World there are four
8、 theme parks: Magic Kingdom, EPOCT, Disney-MGM Studios and Animal Kingdom. Each of the four includes a number of units that are further composed of a number of attractions. For example, one of the units in Magic Kingdom is called Adventureland that is made up of the following attractions: Jungle Cru
9、ise, Pirates of the Caribbean, Swiss Family Treehouse, and The Magic Carpets of Aladdin. The same is true of all other units (Frontierland, Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, Liberty Square, Mickeys Toontown Fair) in this and other theme parks.,2)“ On the thrill rides” - While riding the roller-coasters and
10、 other terrifying machines. 3)“ they defy gravity, moving at speeds and in ways that seem to violate what common sense tells them should be possible” - Here the author refers to the attractions inTomorrowland. These attractions are: Astro Orbiter, Tommorrow Indy Speedway and Space Mountain, all of w
11、hich demonstrate the incredibly fast speed at which we travel on the earth and to outer-space. 4)On the thrill rides, they defy gravity, moving at speeds and in ways that seem to violate what common sense tells them should be possible:,When taking the exciting rides on those machines, they act again
12、st gravity, moving at such a fast speed that is almost impossible to turn to their common sense for an explanation. defy: act against; refuse to obeyHer beauty defies description. The doctor has been accused of violating professional ethics.Questions of this kind violate my privacy and I am not will
13、ing to answer them.,Paragraphs 2-3,These two paragraphs elaborate on the idealized vision created by Disney World: a world of perpetual celebration and a world that is objective and material but seemingly as carefree as the imagination. This illusion caters to humanitys deepest dream - “ to escape t
14、he fallen state of society and the self” or “ to transcend the mundane.” 1) “negative emotions” ( Paragraph 2 ) - The phrase refers to all undesirable emotions such as unhappiness, disappointment and anger.,2) “ we go on a journey through symbolic worlds that are objective and material but seemingly
15、 as carefree as the imagination.” ( Paragraph 3 ) - In Disney World we entertain ourselves with the vision that we are living in fantastic, carefree worlds that are in reality, objective and solid.,Paragraphs 4,Another function of Disney World is to render the possibility of re-creating our surround
16、ings in the form of an updated version of contemporary romance stories. That is, Disney World satisfies peoples psychological needs by dismissing the “dry scientism” with modern art and technology. 1) “ the disenchantment of the world with the rise of science and the declining influence of religion:
17、 - the disappointment of the world/ the loss of belief in the world due to the rise of science and the diminishing influence of religion. 2) “ an updated version of contemporary romance stories.” - a new model of contemporary love stories that are endowed with human emotions and feelings.,Questions,
18、1) How does Disney World idealize American capitalism and political history? Disney World idealize American capitalism and political history by creating the vision that people are participating in a 365-day-a-year holiday in a world full of celebrations, parades and fund, a world free from negative
19、emotions. 2) Why does visitors have the dream of transcending the mundane? Because people normally find that in the real world most opportunities are closed to them and most human motives are concealed, they wish that they could, at least symbolically, go beyond the mundane world.,Language Work,1. O
20、n the thrill rides, they defy gravity, moving at speeds and in ways that seem to violate what common sense tells them should be possible: When taking the exciting rides on those machines, they act against gravity, moving at such a fast speed that it is almost impossible to turn to their common sense
21、 for an explanation.Her beauty defies description.The doctor has been accused of violating professional ethics.,2. draws visitors into a world of perpetual celebration: Visitors are attracted into a world where everyday is a festival and celebrations are going on all the time.They lived in perpetual
22、 fear of being discovered and arrested.He has hard, cold eyes and his mouth is set in a perpetual sneer. 3. In Disney World, we transcend the mundane. : In Disney World, we are free from all the ordinary and boring matters we have to put up with in the real world.The underlining message of the film
23、is that love transcends everything else.,4. most human motives are concealed: Most human motives are hidden. We do not know what other people are thinking about.I tried to conceal my surprise when she told me her age.Is there something you are concealing from me? 5. in the modern age we are witnessi
24、ng the disenchantment of the world.: In our modern time, we see with our own eyes that people are getting more and more disappointed about what is going on in the world.Disillusionment and disenchantment have now set in for many people.,Periods 3-4 ( 80 min ) Gist Questions:,1. What, according to th
25、e author, is the promise of modernism? And what is the postmodern promise? The promise of modernism is the realistic hope that technology will bring affluence, power over nature and rationality, while the postmodern promise is that technology will allow us to escape the condition of society and the
26、physical world. 2. What does the author mean by saying “progress culminates in a utopia of transcendence”? The author means that the progress represented by Disney World reaches its highest peak and enters a utopia beyond the limits of our physical world., Contents: Detailed study of Paras 5-7 of Te
27、xt I,Text Analysis From Paragraph 5 to 7 the author probes the implications of modern technology in Disney World. In Paragraph 5 she finds that “ it also shows us the way technology will give us power over, and freedom from, the world.” In other words, it can help us enjoy, by simulation, what we ho
28、pe to enjoy in reality.“ objectified fantasies” - those fantasies and imaginations that have been made real in the various attractions in Disney World. In paragraph 6 the author further expounds the idea that technology is the means to help people transcend the mundane world.,“ showcase” - a situati
29、on or event that is designed to show the good qualities someone or some product possesses. The word is often metaphorically used to indicate a situation in which something is displayed to its best advantage. “ in place of” - in stead of. “rationality” - The meaning of this word is opposite to sentim
30、entality and romance.,In paragraph 7, the author points out the paradox that is related with the two trends: the desire to escape the constraints of life through technology, and the desire to pretend we have done so in invented worlds of simulation. In this world of simulation, we succeeded in trans
31、cending the mundane world and change the decadent state of nature, society and ourselves. “ if the great myth of meta-story of America is the story of progress, then Disney World is a place that masquerades as the happy ending” - if the great story of American success is the story of progress, then
32、Disney World seems to mark its happy ending. “ undoes the fallen state of nature, society and ourselves” - changes the situation in which nature, society and ourselves have declined.,Language Work,1. one day we will go into outer space or travel freely across the globe or evolve a perfect society: o
33、ne day we will be able to enter outer space or travel feely across the earth or develop a perfect society.Humans evolved from apes.Bacteria are evolving resistance to antibiotics.,2. technology would usher in an age of affluence: technology would bring about important changes which would lead to an
34、age of prosperity.She ushered us into her office and offered us coffee.Officials quickly ushered the protesters out of the hall.,3. Disney World is a place that masquerades as the happy ending, in which progress culminates in a utopia: Disney World plays the part of the happy ending of the great sto
35、ry of America.In this business letter there are a lot o unqualified people masquerading as experts.She masqueraded as a shepherd.Their many years of research have finally culminated in a cure for the disease.Winning first prize was the culmination of years of practice and hard work.,Gist Questions:,
36、1. What is the difference between the utopia of Disney World and other utopias in the Western civilization.? The difference between the utopias either appear in fiction or are put into practice in small communities, while the utopia in Disney World is brought to life with simulation and offered as a
37、 vacation paradise. 2. What, according to the author, is the irony of the utopia in Disney World?The irony of Disney World is that it helps people progress to a better world by means of regression.,Detailed study of Paras 8-11of Text I,Text Analysis In these paragraphs the author moves on to discuss
38、 the difference between the perfect world as desired by humanity and that of Disney World. He further points out the irony that Disney World brings this ideal perfect world to life by “inviting us to regress to a state of happiness before the fall from childhood.”,1) “Disney World falsifies our desi
39、re for a better world” - Disney World misrepresents our desire for a better world. 2) “ to regress to a state of happiness before the fall from childhood” - to retreat to a happy and innocent period before the end of childhood which marks the beginning of sophistication and moral decline. Here the w
40、ord “fall” implies moral degeneration. According to the Bible, the “fall” was the occasion when Adam and Eve sinned and God made them leave the Garden of Eden.,Language Work,1. put into practice in small communities: are carried out by small groups of people.It seemed like a good idea before we star
41、ted, but in practice it was a disaster.I cant see how your plan is going to work in practice.How do you intend to put these proposals into practice.,2. .with simplified visions of life that filter out the difficult truths of the self and society.: with simplified imagination of life from which all t
42、he difficult truths of the self and society have been removed. The water is filtered to remove any impurities. The technology exists to remove all of these contaminants through filtration.,3. The contradictions inherent in Disney World are deepened: The intrinsic contradictions of Disney World are i
43、ntensified. I have an inherent distrust of lawyers. Theres nothing inherently wrong with his ideas.,4. In Disney, we see the ultimate attempt to rely on technology: In Disney, they are going to the extreme in trying to do everything with modern technology.The success of this project relies on everyo
44、ne making an effort.I rely on you for good advice.Im relying on the garage to fix the car by tomorrow.,The story of Narcissus自恋的水仙花,Once upon a time, there was a boy called Narcissus. He was the son of a god and he was very, very handsome. Many women fell in love with him, but he turned them away. O
45、ne of the women who loved Narcissus was a nymph called Echo. Echo could not speak properly - she could only repeat what was said to her, so she couldnt tell Narcissus that she loved him. One day, when Narcissus was walking in the woods with some friends, he became separated from them. He called out
46、“Is anyone here?“ Echo replied “Here, Here“. Echo stepped forward with open arms, wanting to cuddle him. But Narcissus refused to accept Echos love. Echo was so upset that she left and hid in a cave, until nothing was left of her, except her voice. The Maiden, a goddess, found out about this, and sh
47、e was very angry. She made Narcissus fall in love with himself. When Narcissus looked at his reflection in a pond one day, he fell in love. He stayed on that spot forever, until he died one day. Where he died a flower grew, and that flower is called a Narcissus. 从前有个男孩,他的名字叫做“Narcissus“水仙.身为一名天神的儿子他
48、长得十分英俊.有许多爱慕着他的少女向他示爱却都慕着他的众多少女中有位美丽的仙女做做“Echo“(回音),由于Echo不能正常得说出想说的话而只能不断得重复别人的言语所以她并不能清楚的告诉Narcissus她对他的爱意.有天当Narcissus和他的几个朋友在森林中漫步时和其他的朋友走失了.他喊到“有人在吗?“Echo也说“有人在吗?“Echo上前想抱住Narcissus却被Narcissus拒绝了Echo非常得伤心,她跑到一个无人的山洞,一直待到她的外形完全消失只剩下她的声音能被人们所听到. 一名女神听说了这件事.她非常得愤怒,并用神力使Narcissus爱上了他自己.当Narcissus在湖
49、泊的水边看到自己的影子时,他顿时爱上了水中的人.他一直待在那湖边,直到渐渐死去,在他死的地方长出许多的野花,这种花被人们取名叫做Narcissus(水仙花).,Narcissus gazing at his own reflection,Periods 5-6 (80min),1. Comprehension questions 1) How does Disney create the illusion or a “perfect world” for the visitors? 2) How does Disney idealize American society? 3) Why doe
50、s the sense of transcendence in Disney World have such an appeal to people in the mundane world?,4) What does Disney do to the dry “scientism” world view of contemporary societies? 5) What is the promise of modernism offered by technology? What is the promise of “postmodernism” which technology can offer? 6) Why does the author say that Disney World is a cautionary tale?,
