《英语短篇小说教程》练习参考答案unit4
《英语短篇小说教程》练习参考答案unit3、4
《英语短篇小说教程》练习参考答案Keys to Unit ThreeRichard Selzer: The Discus Thrower1) Questions for discussion(Suggested answers for reference)(1) What impression do you get of the patient from the description given in the story?(In spite of his serious illness, the man never moans or complains. He talks little and generally keeps the physical suffering to himself. He tries to maintain an image of a real man although he is in the grip of Death. He behaves in the manner of Hemingway’s “tough guy”–acting by the principal that “A man can be destroyed but can not be defeated.”)(2) In the short conversations, we hear the patient’s demand to know about exact time and his demand for shoes. Why is he still interested in time and what does he want shoes for since he can’t walk anymore?(His interest in exact time and his demand for shoes seem to suggest that, deep in his heart, the man refuses to accept the fate. It might be the result of fierce psychological conflict within the patient, with reality and rationality on one side, and wish and will on the other side. Some abnormal behaviors indicate the man’s unwillingness to reconcile with the fate in spite of his self-restrain.)(3) Read carefully the paragraph about plate-throwing. Why does the writer give such detailed description of it? What is your interpretation of this rather abnormal behavior?(From the detailed descriptions of his “discus” throwing, we seem to learn that the man is rather skillful at that, and that he might have had some training in the sport of throwing discus. Then why dose he throw plates? Is it because it brings back the memory of the best moment in his life when his physical power wins the glory and cheers? By this impulsive “reliving”or “restaging” of the explosive energy he once had, the man gains some satisfaction – he laughs after it – and proves that he is still alive. This action reveals the complicated inner world of a man who is forced to face death.)(4) Why does the writer choose “The Discus Thrower” as the title? Is it coincidence that the short story has the same title as the famous Greek sculpture Discobolus (Discus Thrower)?(In the Greek sculpture, we see the frozen moment of beauty: male vitality, energy and muscle power. It is a celebration of life and physical capability. This patient might once be a discus thrower, professional athlete or amateur, and now forms such a contrast to the sculptured image. This leaves a lot of room for reader’s own reflection on life and death.)2) Explanation and interpretation(Explain the implied meaning of the following sentences, and point out their significance in the context of the story.)(1) a. From the doorway of Room 542 the man in the bed seems deeply tanned. Blue eyes andclose-cropped white hair give him the appearance of vigor and good health.b. He lies solid and inert. In spite of everything, he remains impressive, as though he were asailor standing athwart a slanting deck.(The patient is fatally ill, but he looks, or keeps an image of a strong man. His life is threatened by disease, but the spirit of a strong man is still there. He does not collapse, but does what he can, though rather vainly, to struggle to maintain the dignity of a man.)(2) “Yes,” he says at last and without the least irony. “You can bring me a pair of shoes.”(see suggested answer to Question 2.)(3) It’s a blessing, she (the head nurse) says.(Though the head nurse is the one who has complained a lot about the patient’s unreasonable behaviors and upon his death she says “It’s a blessing,” it does not mean that she is cold blooded, and thus feels relieved of her troubles. She means that God has allowed him to go, so he no longer needs to suffer and to struggle in this world. It is thus a blessing from God.)(4) He is still there in his bed. His face is relaxed, grave, dignified.(He is dead, possibly dying with relaxed feeling as he has kept his final image of being a true man with dignity and can now sleep in peace.)《英语短篇小说教程》练习参考答案Keys to Unit FourSomerset Maugham: Mr. Know-All1) Opinions of Understanding:(1) Which of the following is a round character?A. The narrator “I”.B. Mr. Kelada.C. Mr. Ramsay.D. Mrs. Ramsay.(2) Which of the following is a most typical flat character?A. The narrator “I”.B. Mr. Kelada.C. Mr. Ramsay.D. Mrs. Ramsay.(3) The narrator decided that he might have an unpleasant company even before seeing Mr. Kelada because _______.A. he had to share a cabin with the latterB. he had known the latter to be a loud and noisy personC. the latter had a foreign nameD. the latter had a bad reputation(4) From the story we can deduce that Mrs. Ramsay’s pearl necklace was probably ________.A. a worthless imitationB. an expensive purchase that she borrowed money to pay forC. a gift from her husbandD. a gift from a lover of hers that her husband knew nothing about(5) By the end of the short story, the narrator said, “At that moment I did not entirely dislike Mr. Kelada.” The words may suggest that _______.A. he actually enjoyed the company of Mr. KeladaB. he found that Mr. Kelada was entirely different from what he had expected him to beC. he liked Mr. Kelada just for a momentD. he had changed his earlier attitude towards Mr. Kelada2) Questions for Discussion:(Suggested answers for reference)(1)What are the undesirable qualities of Mr. Kelada according to the narrator? Find them out inthe text and list them. Are they good proof that Mr. Kelada is an unpleasant person?1）…my fellow passenger’s name was (not) Smith or Brown. (not Anglo-Saxon sounding) (line 9).2) When I went on board I found Mr. Kelada’s luggage ..and toilet things (showing bad taste) (lines 11-16)3) Mr. Kelada was short and of a sturdy build, cleanshaven and dark skinned, with a fleshy, hooked nose and very large lustrous and liquid eyes. His long black hair was sleek and curly. (His physical features indicate that he is not a white European.) (lines 32-34)4) He spoke with a fluency in which there was nothing English and his gestures were exuberant. (lines 34-35)5) Mr. Kelada was chatty. (line 57)6) Mr. Kelada was familiar. …(observing) no such formality. (lines 64-68)7) “The three on the four,” said Mr. Kelada (participating in other person’s card game, being rather nosy) (lines 71-81)8) I not only shared a cabin with him and ate three meals a day at the same table, but I could not walk round the deck without his joining me. (caring little about other people’s privacy) (lines 85-86)9) He was a good mixer, and in three days knew everyone on board. He ran everything. (line 90-91)10) He was certainly the best hated man in the ship. We called him Mr. Know-All. (line 94)11) He was … argumentative. He knew everything better than anybody else. (lines 96-97)But the above list only proves that Mr. Kelada was a person of different culture and behaved differently. Nurtured by his more Oriental culture, he behaved in a way that was nothing wrong in itself, but was disliked by the narrator of the story, who held a prejudice against non-Western culture.(2) Underline the descriptions of Mr. and Mrs. Ramsay, and discuss the contrast between the couple.Mr. Ramsay:1) He was as dogmatic as Mr. Kelada and resented bitterly the Levantine’s cocksureness. (lines 103-104)2) He was a great heavy fellow from the Middle West, with loose fat under a tight skin, and he bulged out of his ready-made clothes. (lines 106-108)3) He was argumentative (lines 122-124) and insensitive (lines 155-170)Mrs. Ramsay:1) Mrs. Ramsay was a very pretty little thing, with pleasant manners and a sense of humor. (lines 110-111)2) She was dressed always very simply; but she knew how to wear her clothes. She achieved an effect of quiet distinction. (lines 111-113)3) You could not look at her without being struck by her modesty. It shone in her like a flower on a coat. (lines 115-116)(The husband and the wife are very different almost in every way. One is loud, fatty,aggressive and the other is quite, pretty and modest. The contrast gives the reader an impression that the man is unworthy of the lady and may indicate at possible lack of harmony in the marriage.)(3) We have been given enough hints about the true value of the necklace and the possible story behind it. Can you find them?1) “They’ll never be able to get a cultured pearl that an expert like me can’t tell with half an eye.” He pointed to a chain that Mrs. Ramsay wore. “You take my word for it, Mrs. Ramsay, that chain you’re wearing will never be worth a cent less than it is now.” (lines 134-137)2) Mrs. Ramsay in her modest way flushed a little and slipped the chain inside her dress. (line 136)3) “Oh, in the trade somewhere round fifteen thousand dollars. But if it was bought on Fifth Avenue, I shouldn’t be surprised to hear that anything up to thirty thousand was paid for it.” (lines 145-147)4) “Oh, Elmer, you can’t bet on a certainty,” said Mrs. Ramsay. (line 155)5) “But how can it be proved?” she continued. “It’s only my word against Mr. Kelada’s.”(line 159-160)6) Mrs. Ramsay hesitated a moment. She put her hands to the clasp. (line 164)7) “I can’t undo it,” she said. “Mr. Kelada will just have to take my word for it.” (line 165)8) The Levantine took a magnifying glass from his pocket and closely examined it. A smile of triumph spread over his smooth and swarthy face. (lines 170-172)9) … Mrs. Ramsay’s face. It was so white that she looked as though she were about to faint. She was staring at him with wide and terrified eyes. They held a desperate appeal. (lines 173-175)(4) Why did Mr. Kelada choose not to tell the truth of the value of the pearl necklace?(Obviously he wanted to help the helpless lady by not revealing the true value of the necklace. Otherwise she would have to face an awful and embarrassing explanation. He might have regarded Mr. Ramsay as being unworthy for the lady and acted out of disdain.)(5) Why did the narrator say by the end of the story “I did not entirely dislike Mr. Kelada”?(He seemed to be aware of his own prejudice after he had seen the positive quality of the Levantine: wisdom, self-sacrifice, and sensitiveness to other’s misfortunes.)3) Explanation and Interpretation:(Explain the implied meaning of the following sentences, and point out their significance in the context of the story.)(1) I was prepared to dislike Max Kelada even before I knew him.(This indicates that the narrator, the English gentleman, had a deep-rooted racial and cultural bias against non-English. It is not the person, but what his name represents that he disliked.)(2) But when I was told the name of my companion my heart sank…. I should have looked upon it with less dismay if my fellow passenger’s name had been Smith or Brown.(“Smith”and “Brown”are typical English surnames. The name “Max Kelada”indicates a man from a different, most likely “inferior” culture in the opinion of the narrator.)(3) The Consular Service is ill paid, and she was dressed always very simply.(This foreshadows the fact that the pearl necklace was far too expensive for her purse.)(4) Mrs. Ramsay in her modest way flushed a little and slipped the chain inside her dress.(She quickly hid the chain inside, an act that reveals her fear of its true value being noticed by somebody.)(5) “If I had a pretty little wife I shouldn’t let her spend a year in New York while I stayed at Kobe,” said he.(Mr. Kelada hinted that the husband’s leaving her alone in New York was unwise and had led to some consequences. She had now a wealthy suitor. )4) Suggested Homework:Let us suppose that in the afternoon on the same day when Mr. Kelada got back the 100 dollars, he met Mrs. Ramsay somewhere on the deck, and there were no other people around. They had a short conversation about what had happened previously. Using your imagination, write out the short dialogue between the two. The conversation may begin like this:(-- Good morning, Mrs. Ramsay. It’s a surprise to see you alone here.-- Good morning, Mr. Kelada. I don’t feel well, so I come out for a bit of fresh air.-- It’s always a pleasure to see a charming lady like you.-- Thank you for saying so. I’m extremely sorry for what happened yesterday, and I’m grateful for what you did, for me.)-- Lying about the necklace?-- Lying for my sake. You are generous and have a good heart.-- Anyway, I got the 100 dollars back. You delivered it yourself?-- Yes, I did. You did me a great service, and there is no way that you should be paying that money.-- I have been the laughingstock of everybody on board.-- You have my respect. I was real terrified yesterday, and fortunately you came to the rescue.-- It is a wonderful gift, that necklace, from a true admirer, I guess?-- You embarrass me, Mr. Kelada, but you seem to notice everything.-- It’s a good match to a pretty lady like you.-- Don’t laugh at me, I beg. I don’t think I’ll be wearing it anymore. Thank you again, and I think I’ll be going back to the cabin.。
英语短篇小说教程 虞建华 高等教育出版社 课后答案
Keys to Unit Two(1) I. B. Singer: The Washwoman(2) Frank Sargeson: A Piece of Yellow Soap1) Questions for Discussion:(Suggested answers for reference)(1) Does the piece of washing soap have the “power” as the narrator tells us? What is the “power”that forces him to take off?(The piece of yellow washing soap is, of course, an ordinary one. The narrator is a “naïve narrator”who believed that it had some sort of mysterious “power,”while the readers are expected to know better. This power comes from the narrator’s deep sympathy for the tragic fate of the washing woman. Seeing the situation, he simply could not continue to demand the payment which he knew the woman was unable to produce.)(2) In this Unit, we have two stories about two washwomen. There are a lot of similar descriptionsand common characteristics in the two stories. Find and list them.(They were both reduce to desperation, depending solely on washing for living. Both were hard-working and uncomplaining, quietly but almost heroically bore their burden and struggled for a hard existence. The author describes their common feature –the white and shrunken fingers – as symbol of suffering in the lives of the working people. They both were both dead by the end of the stories.)(3) The two first-person narrators tell two stories of two washwomen who shared similar tragicfate. Discuss the differences in the narrators that result in the differences in the way the two short stories are told.(Singer’s narrator knows more and tells more about the washing woman, often making direct comments and revealing his own feelings about the life of the woman whose story he is telling. He frequently emphasizes that what he is telling is real, and hints that the story has significance. The narrator’s voice is very close to the author’s. Please see more in “Reading Tips” on page 11. On the other hand, Sargeson’s narrator is a naïve one, that is, the narrator’s understanding is purposely made shallow, and the reader need find by himself the real meaning in the situation. So the narrator stands at some distance from the author. Please see more in “Reading Tips”on page 15. Therefore, in Text I, we, as readers, are basically “given” or “received” the story, while in Text II, we need to participate imaginatively in the story to “dig out” the true meaning the naïve narrator has left unexplained.)2) Explanation and Interpretation:(Explain the implied meaning of the following sentences, and point out their significance in the context of the story.)From “The Washwoman”:(1) She had been so sick that someone called a doctor, and the doctor had sent for a priest.(According to the custom, a priest should be present while one is dying. The implied message is the doctor thought that he could do nothing to save her, and the best thing to do was to prepare for her death.)(2) “With the help of God you will live to be a hundred and twenty,” said my mother, as ablessing.“God forbid!...”(“My Mother” extended a good wish for long life to her, but the washing woman thought that a long life was a terrible thing, because it only meant suffering longer.)(3) Her soul passed into those spheres where all holy souls meet, regardless of the roles theyplayed on this earth, in whatever tongue, of whatever religion.(A good person, like the old washwoman, would go to heaven because she had a noble soul.She would rise above all the earthly considerations of class, race, nation and religion. )From “A Piece of Yellow Soap”:(4) My eyes would get fixed on her fingers and the soap, and after a few minutes I would lose allpower to look the woman in the face. I would mumble something to myself and take myself off .(The narrator could not bear to look at this washing-tub slave for too long. He would have to find some excuse and leave. He could not push her over the cliff while she was standing on the verge of total desperation.)(5) She had a way too of feeling inside her handbag as she passed me, and I always had the queerfeeling that she carried there a piece of soap. It was her talisman powerful to work wonders…(Possibly in the bag there were a few pennies that the woman had earned from her washing, and she was going to buy food or some necessities. Seeing the narrator, to whom she knew she owed money, she unconsciously or protectively put her hand in the bag. The narrator, being “naïve,” misunderstood her reaction while they met in the street.)Suggested Homework:Translate the following paragraphs from “The Washwoman” into Chinese:The bag was big, bigger than usual. When the woman placed it on her shoulders, it covered her completely. At first she stayed, as though she were about to fall under the load. But an inner stubbornness seemed to call out; no, you may not fall. A donkey may permit himself to fall under his burden, but not a human being, the best of creation.She disappeared, and mother sighed and prayed for her.More than two months passed. The frost had gone, and then a new frost had come, a newwave of cold. One evening, while mother was sitting near the oil lamp mending a shirt, the door opened and a small puff of steam, followed by a gigantic bag, entered the room. I ran toward the old woman and helped her unload her bag. She was even thinner now, more bent. Her head shook from side to side as though she were saying no. She could not utter a clear word, but mumbled something with her sunken mouth and pale lips.For reference only:衣服包很大，比平时更大。
练习答案 Unit 4
Unit 4Text OrganizationContents Paragraphs1. Description of the author's virtual life 2-32. How she feels about it after staying on the Net for a while 1,4-10, 133. What she does to return to the real world 114. How she feels about the real world 12The first paragraph tells about the consequences of living a virtual life and the last tells about the author's return to it. Together, they show us the dilemma people at present are in: Because of modern technology, we have a choice between a virtual life and real life, but we find both unsatisfactory. The author, however, finally has to choose the latter despite its negative effects.VocabularyI. 1. 1) conversely 2) relationship 3) but then 4) symptom 5) spitting 6) abusing 7) tone 8) took (her) in9) editing 10) communicate 11) Internet 12) insight 13) stretched 14) data 15) angles2. 1) The sight of teenagers smoking cigarettes jars on me.2)I turned on the TV just to relax a little bit after a heavy dinner, but soon I found myself getting sucked in bythe fascinating plot of a science fiction film.3)Jeffrey's computer crashed again this morning. The manager has arranged for a technician from the computerstore to check and repair it.4)During the Vietnam War, many young Americans fled their country to avoid military service.Or: During the Vietnam War, many young Americans fled to other countries to avoid military service.5)The new government is planning an anti-corruption campaign so as to restore people's confidence in it.3. 1) The traditional school will never go away, but the virtual classroom is playing a more and more important role.Obviously, the online student relies on the computer. To get started, he must have his computer hooked up to the Internet through a phone line and modem. To be successful, he must keep up with the class and complete all work on time. Once he gets behind, it is almost impossible to catch up.2) When the economy slows down, the worst nightmare for an employee is losing his job. In addition to moneyproblems, the emotional stress is hard to bear. Hunting for a job is now the daily routine of many workers like Henry Smith. He fills out applications and writes resumes and submits them to various companies, expecting an interview. But in times of rising unemployment, even job interviews are hard to get. He takes great care not to miss any appointment, for if he missed it, it would be all but impossible to arrange for another one.3) "The bubble has burst. Venture capitalists have become cautious in putting more money into the ITindustry and small investors are taking their cue," said the chairman in his concluding speech. It is clear from these remarks that the ever-optimistic economist has changed his tune.II. Collocation1. We came here all the way on foot.2. Private cars are not allowed on campus.3. They are on vacation in Florida.4. Mary has been talking to her friend on the phone for an hour.5. Don't worry, Lucy is always on time.6. Industrial demand on fuel is on the rise.III. Usagel. hard 2. difficult 3. impossible 4. tough 5. hard 6. easyStructure1. 1) Anyone who has talked with him will see Mark is a person of remarkable intelligence.2)The book is of no value to one who is not familiar with the subject.3)She is a woman of wealth. She never has to worry about money.4)In today's job market, basic skills in computer science and foreign languages are of great importance.2. 1) you will find yourself penniless in a month.2)he found himself lying in a hospital ward3)she found herself faced with the toughest job she had ever taken4)Susan found herself in a trap from which she could not escape.Comprehensive ExercisesI. Cloze(A)1. Internet2. click3. nightmare4. sucked5. email6. rely7. communicating 8. emotional 9. At times 10. flee 11. on line(B)1. between2. The3. to4. away5. on6. work7. enables8. local9. reach 10. benefits11. because 12. provides/brings 13. does 14. in 15. making 16. with 17. Nor 18. virtualII. TranslationPerhaps you envy me for being able to work from home on the computer. I agree that the Internet has made my job a lot easier. I can write, submit and edit articles via email, chat with my colleagues on line and discuss work with my boss. With a click of the mouse, I can get all the data I need and keep up with the latest news. But then, communicating through the Net can be frustrating at times. The system may crash. Worse still, without the emotional cues of face-to-face communication, the typed words sometimes seem difficult to interpret.。
《英语短篇小说教程》练习参考答案unit1
《英语短篇小说教程》练习参考答案Keys to Unit OneLangston Hughes: Early Autumn1)Opinions of Understanding:(1) What was probably untrue of Mary?A. She missed the days of the past.B. She still loved Bill.C. She worked to keep a family of three children.D. She was satisfied with her life and job in New York.(2) Which of the following adjectives can probably best describe Bill’s attitude?A. Emotional.B. Indifferent.C. Puzzled.D. Hopeful.(3) Mary didn’t say anything when she got on the bus. Why?A. She had nothing more to say.B. She was disappointed in Bill.C. She was too emotional.D. She knew the situation was hopeless.(4) The last sentence of the story “she had forgotten …to tell him that her youngest boy was named Bill, too” shows that ________.A. Mary knew she would meet Bill again some day.B. “Bill” is a very common name.C. Mary had been thinking about Bill and still loved him.D. Mary was proud of her youngest son.(5) The title of the short story “Early Autumn” may suggest to the reader that _______.A. the bitterness of an emotional long winter was aheadB. it was still the bright time of one’s life, like early AutumnC. both Mary and Bill were now middle-aged peopleD. the love between them was not as “hot” as summer days2) Questions for Discussion(Suggested answers for reference):(1) Can you pick out words and sentences to show that Mary and Bill were now different in their attitudes toward each other?1) Mary: …she saw him for the first time in years. (line 5)Bill: At first he did not reco gnize her… (line 8)2) Mary: Unconsciously, she lifted her face as though wanting a kiss… (line 11)Bill: …but he held out his hand. (line 12)3) Mary: “I live in New York now,” she said. (eagerly telling him her address) (line 14)Bill: “Oh” – smiling politely, then a little frown came quickly between his eyes. (having no interested in her living place now.) (lines 15-16)4) Mary: “Married yet?” (concerning keenly about his marital status) (line 21)Bill: “Sure. Two kids.”(being satisfied with his present situation and showing pride in mentioning his family.) (line 22)5) Bill: “And your husband?” he asked her. (not noticing her subtle emotional change.) (line 27)Mary: “We have three children. I work in the bursar’s office at Columbia” (avoiding mentioning her husband in her reply). (line 28)6) Bill: “You’re looking very …” (he wanted to say old) “… well,” he said. (not being sensitive to her condition.) (line 29)Mary: She understood. (being very sensitive to her own condition.) (line 30)7) Mary: “We live on Central Park West,” she said. “Come and see us sometime.”(offering a direct invitation.) (line 33)Bill: “Sure,” he replied. “You and your husband must have dinner w ith my family some night. Any night. Lucille and I’d love to have you.”(giving a polite indirect rejection.) (lines 34-35)8) Mary: “There’s my bus,” she said. (line 42)Bill: He held out his hand, “Good-by.” (ready to part with Mary.) (line 43)Mary: “When …” she wanted to say… (not ready to part with Bill) (line 44)(2) Several times the author describes the scene on Washington Square: the dusk, the chilly weather, the falling leaves, the passing people. Does he only want to tell us where and when the story takes place? What other effects do such descriptions achieve?(The description of the setting gives the reader a feeling of sadness and depression. It was getting dark and getting cold with leaves falling. The bright daytime was over and the unpleasant darkness was ahead, and the warm and comfortable summer and early autumn days were being replaced by the cold and long winter. The setting echoes and reinforces Mary’s feelings of regret and yearning and implies the emotional crisis that she might have to face.)3) Explanation and Interpretation:(Explain the implied meaning of the following sentences, and point out their significance in the context of the story.)1) Impulsively, she had married a man she thought she loved.(Notice the two key words: “impulsively”and “thought.”This has direct relation to her reactions at Washington Square, New York, years later. She made an impulsive decision and theman she “thought” she loved was not the man she wanted to be a life partner with.)2) Unconsciously, she lifted her face as though wanting a kiss, but he held out his hand.(Her unconscious reaction reveals that their sweet love in the past had been kept alive in Mary’s memory for all these years, but Bill had undergone a total change, treating her as an ordinary acquaintance of the past.)3) “And your husband?” he asked her.“We have three children. I work in the bursar’s office at Columbia.”(This is the first time Bill initiated the conversation, but he had failed to notice the signs in Mary’s emotional reaction and asked a question he should have not asked. Mary avoided the question by talking about something else. Why did she avoid mentioning her husband? There is message in the avoidance.)4) The lights on the avenue blurred, twinkled, blurred.(The vision came from Mary’s eyes. Obviously, her eyes were now filled with tears.)5) The bus started. People came between them outside, people crossing the street, people theydidn’t know. Space and people.(A lot of people had walked into their lives, Mary and Bill’s family members and their respective circle of friends and colleagues. It was no longer their world of two young lovers when they were in Ohio.)4) Suggested Homework:Suppose you were Bill Walker and you had a habit of writing down what happened to you in your diary. After the chance meeting with Mary at Washington Square, you went home and wrote a brief paragraph about the meeting. The paragraph may begin like this:Oct. 11, 2009I had never expected to see Mary, but I met her at Washington Square. She looked rather old to me – I didn’t even recognize her immediately…For reference only:Oct. 11, 2009(I had never expected to see Mary, but I met her at Washington Square. She looked rather old to me – I didn’t even recognize her immediately. It was quite a surprise that she could pick me out among the hustling and bustling crowd in the street. After all, it has been quite a few years since we parted -- Eight, nine, or ten years? Time flies and we both changed a lot, no longer the heady, impulsive kind of youngsters that we once were. For some reason, she seemed rather emotional about this chance meeting, and was keen in knowing about what had happened to me in these years and in telling and inviting me to her place. Somehow, she avoided mentioning her husband, the man she quickly married after we ran into a little problem in our relationship. Tenyears is a long time, enough to reshape a person’s life. I wish her and her family all the happiness, sincerely.)。
《英语短篇小说教程》练习参考答案unit11、12
《英语短篇⼩说教程》练习参考答案unit11、12《英语短篇⼩说教程》练习参考答案Keys to Unit ElevenJames Thurber: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty1)Opinions of Understanding:(1) Which of the following adjectives best describes Walter Mitty’s real life?A. Colorful.B. Uneventful.C. Noble.D. Exciting.(2) Which of the following is an unsuitable adjective to describe Walter Mitty’s wife?A. Fussy.B. Bossy.C. Considerate.D. Unsympathetic.(3) What sort of “secret life” of Walter Mitty does the “hospital operation room” episode reveal to us?A. He desires for a life of romance and excitement.B. He wishes to make glorious contributions to the nation.C. He yearns to be an important and respected person.D. He would rather be a heroic victim than a nobody.(4) What sort of “the secret life” of Walter Mitty do the “courtroom trial” and the “execution by a firing squad” episodes reveal to us?A. He desires for a life of romance and excitement.B. He wishes to make glorious contributions to the nation.C. He yearns to be an important and respected man.D. He would rather be a heroic victim than nobody.(5) What is the author’s attitude to the character he portrays?A. Critical.B. Mocking.C. Sympathetic.D. Scornful.2) Questions for discussion:(Suggested answers for reference)(1) How are reality and fantasy associated in this story? Give examples.(Usually it is in this way: something in the real life, for example, doing, seeing or hearing something, would triggers off somefantasy. Driving a car leading to the fantasy of piloting a hydroplane; putting on gloves and hearing the name of Dr. Renshaw leading to the operation episode; hearing a newspaper boy shouting something about the trial leading to the courtroomepisode; sitting in the lobby and reading news about Second World War leading to the bomber-pilot episode and standing against the wall of a drug-store leading to the episode of facing a firing squad.)(2) Does Mitty appear to be a comic, grotesque, and ridiculous person?(It is not the author’s intention to show the ridiculous side of Mitty’s life. Through creation of such a character, the writer intends to reveal the unfortunate life of some city dwellers. Their lives, like that of Mitty’s, are suffocated by the monotony and triviality of the modern middle-class life. The daydreams seem to be the only escape from the meaning less repetition of the day-to-day existence.)(3) Find out what is in common in the five pieces of Mitty’s daydream: the hydroplane, the medical operation, the trial, the bomber and the execution. What do these fantasies reveal to you about Walter Mitty?(These pieces of daydreams have one thing in common in which life is more adventurous, more heroic or more exciting than the actual existence, and in which he is a brave, respected or even a tragic central figure, rather than a nobody dominated by an bossy wife.)(4) How do you like the ending of the story? What is your interpretation?(There is a tragic sense in the last episode – the man being executed. This may reveal the inner wish of the protagonist that he would rather be a heroic victim than a person of no significance. And also, there is a hint of tragedy in his life.)(5) Compare Walter Mitty with Cervantes’Don Quixode (唐·吉诃德). What similarities and differences do you find in the two characters?(Mitty’s daydreams embody the clichés of adventure or war fiction and movies. While Cervantes’ Don Quixode is also influenced by the popular romance of his time and ridiculously acts out his fantasies, Mitty does not even have courage to do that and seems satisfied with dreaming about a sort of heroism as an escape from the imprisonment in triviality. In this sense, he is a modern Don Quixode)3) Explanation and interpretation:(Explain the implied meaning of the following sentences, and point out their significance in the context of the story.)(1) He looked at his wife, in the seat beside him, with shocked astonishment. She seemed grossly unfamiliar, like a strange woman who had yelled at him in a crowd.(Mitty was lost in his daydream, and was suddenly awakened from it and the world around him seemed rather unfamiliar.)(2) "You're tensed up again," said Mrs. Mitty. "It's one of your days. I wish you'd let Dr. Renshaw look you over."(“Tensed up” refers to Mitty’s state of fantasizing. His wife’s words indicate that Mitty had a habit of falling into daydreams and had once consulted a doctor for this problem.)(3) He put them (gloves) on, but after she had turned and gone into the building and he had driven on to a red light, he took them off again.(He obeyed to his wife humbly, but when she did not see him, he book them off as and act of rebellion.)(4) "Back it up, Mac! Look out for that Buick!" Walter Mitty jammed on the brakes. "Wrong lane, Mac," said the parking-lot attendant.(He didn’t seem to be able to do anything well and even a parking lot attendant could order and criticize him. This adds to his sense of depression, of being nobody.)(5) Then, with that faint, fleeting smile playing about his lips, he faced the firing squad; erect andmotionless, proud and disdainful…(The last episode of the fantasy reveals the mixed feelings of being a victim and being a hero. The end seems inevitably tragic but to Mitty’s imagination, maintaining a sort of heroism is possible. Mitty felt that he was beaten down by life, but in his heart he still kept high aspirations.)Suggested HomeworkAllow Walter Mitty to continue his fantasy once he arrived home from the shopping trip with his wife. Using your imagination and write a paragraph that may begin like this:He parked his car. In a few quick steps, he rushed to the door and pushed it open with determined suddenness. “Hands up, gentlemen!” he said.For reference only:He parked his car. In a few quick steps, he rushed to the door and pushed it open with determined suddenness. “Hands up, gentlemen! ” he said, pointing his gun at the three men sitting there. “FBI. We have been following you for quite some time.”The men in the room were totally unprepared. Two raised their hands over their heads, one hesitated and quietly moved his right hand to a pistol on the coffee table. He aims his gun at that man, “push that pistol to me, slowly. That’s right. It’s no use trying to do anything funny, let me warn you.”“Why do walk so quickly and push open the door like this? Go back to get the things in the car!” his wife said angrily.《英语短篇⼩说教程》练习参考答案Keys to Unit TwelveDonald Barthelme: The Glass Mountain1) Questions for Discussion:(Suggested answers for reference)(1) Do you find anything unusual about the structure of the story? Why do you think the writer chooses this manner of narration?(Firstly, the title sounds strange – there is no “glass mountain” in the real world. Secondly, the short story is made up of 100 sentences and each sentence is numbered. The title, if one is familiar with European fairy tales, reminds one of a popular story. The structure is very unusual, subverting the established form of fiction writing and creating a false perfection with the story beginning at Sentence One and ending at Sentence One Hundred. The author seems to being mocking at the literary convention by inventing a form that looks grotesque. )(2) What sort of person is the narrator, the first-person “I” who tries to climb the glass mountain?(Judging from what goes on in his mind, we find that the climber might be an intellectual, or a writer, as he is familiar with fairy tales and talks about the definition of “symbol” etc. So, the climbing can be seen not as actual, but as imagined and psychological. He is very much dissatisfied with the reality down “at the bottom of the mountain,” but the fanciful “golden castle”is unattainable. He finds himself stranded in the middle. He represents the spiritual plight of the “Modern Man.”) (3) There are a lot of symbols in the story such as the glass mountain, the golden castle, the dead knights, the enchanted princess, the climber and the act of climbing. Can you try to explain their symbolic meanings?(The glass mountain: the modern city life, or the impossible process of achieving meaning The golden castle: an ideal goal that is nothing but illusionThe fallen knights: the dead or dying traditionThe enchanted princess: aim or reward of hard endeavorThe climber: a modern man in predicament, trying to achieve self-realizationThe climbing: the difficult and impossible process toward the goalThe street scene: the real city life of confusion and chaosThe climbing irons and plumber’s friends: the ridiculous means for the “grand” taskThe “acquaintances”: the uncultured, unmannered generation of people. )(4) How do you interpret the ending of the story?(Through imagination, with the eagle carrying him to up to the palace, the climber finally reaches the castle. But with his “golden touch,” the symbol changes into a princess, like cliché in old stories, and the climber is disappointed and disillusioned. He seems to have realized that the whole thing is nothing but fairy-tale fantasy.)(5) The whole story appears to be very absurd. What sort of reality can you see behind the apparent absurdity?(Despite the absurdity in the form and contents, we can find in the short story a lot of things that are related to the reality in the West, as the writer sees it:1. the narrator/climber’s sense of frustration and alienation2. the life of confusion and disorder in the city3. people’s inability to achieve a state of glory4. the loss of tradition5. the replacement of culture by hooliganism.6. the loss of aim and meaning in life with only imagined idealism which one knows is unrealizable.)2) Explanation and Interpretation:(Explain the implied meaning of the following sentences, and point out their significance in the context of the story.)(1) 18. The mountain towers over that part of Eighth Avenue like some splendid, immense office building.(“Eighth Avenue” suggests the location is a city, possibly New York, and the glass mountain is a glass-surfaced modern skyscraper. It indeed is an office building.)(2) 78. My acquaintances were debating the question, which of them would get my apartment?(They were certain that the climber “I” would inevitably fall and die in the end, like all the “knights.”)(3) 80. “At the same moment a door opened, and he saw a courtyard filled with flowers and trees, and there, the beautiful enchanted princess.” (The Yellow Fairy Book)96. At the same moment a door opened, and I saw a courtyard filled with flowers and trees, and there, the beautiful enchanted symbol.(In the popular fairy tale, the ultimate aim of the hero is to rescue the “princess,” but the modern climber found it to be no more than a mere “symbol,”– something abstract, remote, and devoid of solid meaning.)(4) 97. I approached the symbol, with its layers of meaning, but when I touched it, it changed into only a beautiful princess.(A symbol can be interpreted differently – with its layers of meaning, but the popular culture points to only one direction of interpretation. The symbol of happy ending, as in numerous tales, is represented by the union of the brave and the beautiful:“the youth married the princess and lived happily ever after.” The climber seems to dislike this kind of wishful fantasy.)(5) 98. I threw the beautiful princess headfirst down the mountain to my acquaintances.(Obviously, this is an act of great disappointment. The climber seems to be totally disillusioned at the outcome, having realized the impossibility and futility of such an attempt. Hesubverts his own purpose of trying to achieve something heroic or glorious.)。
《英语短篇小说教程》练习参考答案unit3、4
《英语短篇小说教程》练习参考答案Keys to Unit ThreeRichard Selzer: The Discus Thrower1) Questions for discussion(Suggested answers for reference)(1) What impression do you get of the patient from the description given in the story?(In spite of his serious illness, the man never moans or complains. He talks little and generally keeps the physical suffering to himself. He tries to maintain an image of a real man although he is in the grip of Death. He behaves in the manner of Hemingway’s “tough guy”–acting by the principal that “A man can be destroyed but can not be defeated.”)(2) In the short conversations, we hear the patient’s demand to know about exact time and his demand for shoes. Why is he still interested in time and what does he want shoes for since he can’t walk anymore?(His interest in exact time and his demand for shoes seem to suggest that, deep in his heart, the man refuses to accept the fate. It might be the result of fierce psychological conflict within the patient, with reality and rationality on one side, and wish and will on the other side. Some abnormal behaviors indicate the man’s unwillingness to reconcile with the fate in spite of his self-restrain.)(3) Read carefully the paragraph about plate-throwing. Why does the writer give such detailed description of it? What is your interpretation of this rather abnormal behavior?(From the detailed descriptions of his “discus” throwing, we seem to learn that the man is rather skillful at that, and that he might have had some training in the sport of throwing discus. Then why dose he throw plates? Is it because it brings back the memory of the best moment in his life when his physical power wins the glory and cheers? By this impulsive “reliving”or “restaging” of the explosive energy he once had, the man gains some satisfaction – he laughs after it – and proves that he is still alive. This action reveals the complicated inner world of a man who is forced to face death.)(4) Why does the writer choose “The Discus Thrower” as the title? Is it coincidence that the short story has the same title as the famous Greek sculpture Discobolus (Discus Thrower)?(In the Greek sculpture, we see the frozen moment of beauty: male vitality, energy and muscle power. It is a celebration of life and physical capability. This patient might once be a discus thrower, professional athlete or amateur, and now forms such a contrast to the sculptured image. This leaves a lot of room for reader’s own reflection on life and death.)2) Explanation and interpretation(Explain the implied meaning of the following sentences, and point out their significance in the context of the story.)(1) a. From the doorway of Room 542 the man in the bed seems deeply tanned. Blue eyes andclose-cropped white hair give him the appearance of vigor and good health.b. He lies solid and inert. In spite of everything, he remains impressive, as though he were asailor standing athwart a slanting deck.(The patient is fatally ill, but he looks, or keeps an image of a strong man. His life is threatened by disease, but the spirit of a strong man is still there. He does not collapse, but does what he can, though rather vainly, to struggle to maintain the dignity of a man.)(2) “Yes,” he says at last and without the least irony. “You can bring me a pair of shoes.”(see suggested answer to Question 2.)(3) It’s a blessing, she (the head nurse) says.(Though the head nurse is the one who has complained a lot about the patient’s unreasonable behaviors and upon his death she says “It’s a blessing,” it does not mean that she is cold blooded, and thus feels relieved of her troubles. She means that God has allowed him to go, so he no longer needs to suffer and to struggle in this world. It is thus a blessing from God.)(4) He is still there in his bed. His face is relaxed, grave, dignified.(He is dead, possibly dying with relaxed feeling as he has kept his final image of being a true man with dignity and can now sleep in peace.)《英语短篇小说教程》练习参考答案Keys to Unit FourSomerset Maugham: Mr. Know-All1) Opinions of Understanding:(1) Which of the following is a round character?A. The narrator “I”.B. Mr. Kelada.C. Mr. Ramsay.D. Mrs. Ramsay.(2) Which of the following is a most typical flat character?A. The narrator “I”.B. Mr. Kelada.C. Mr. Ramsay.D. Mrs. Ramsay.(3) The narrator decided that he might have an unpleasant company even before seeing Mr. Kelada because _______.A. he had to share a cabin with the latterB. he had known the latter to be a loud and noisy personC. the latter had a foreign nameD. the latter had a bad reputation(4) From the story we can deduce that Mrs. Ramsay’s pearl necklace was probably ________.A. a worthless imitationB. an expensive purchase that she borrowed money to pay forC. a gift from her husbandD. a gift from a lover of hers that her husband knew nothing about(5) By the end of the short story, the narrator said, “At that moment I did not entirely dislike Mr. Kelada.” The words may suggest that _______.A. he actually enjoyed the company of Mr. KeladaB. he found that Mr. Kelada was entirely different from what he had expected him to beC. he liked Mr. Kelada just for a momentD. he had changed his earlier attitude towards Mr. Kelada2) Questions for Discussion:(Suggested answers for reference)(1)What are the undesirable qualities of Mr. Kelada according to the narrator? Find them out inthe text and list them. Are they good proof that Mr. Kelada is an unpleasant person?1）…my fellow passenger’s name was (not) Smith or Brown. (not Anglo-Saxon sounding) (line 9).2) When I went on board I found Mr. Kelada’s luggage ..and toilet things (showing bad taste) (lines 11-16)3) Mr. Kelada was short and of a sturdy build, cleanshaven and dark skinned, with a fleshy, hooked nose and very large lustrous and liquid eyes. His long black hair was sleek and curly. (His physical features indicate that he is not a white European.) (lines 32-34)4) He spoke with a fluency in which there was nothing English and his gestures were exuberant. (lines 34-35)5) Mr. Kelada was chatty. (line 57)6) Mr. Kelada was familiar. …(observing) no such formality. (lines 64-68)7) “The three on the four,” said Mr. Kelada (participating in other person’s card game, being rather nosy) (lines 71-81)8) I not only shared a cabin with him and ate three meals a day at the same table, but I could not walk round the deck without his joining me. (caring little about other people’s privacy) (lines 85-86)9) He was a good mixer, and in three days knew everyone on board. He ran everything. (line 90-91)10) He was certainly the best hated man in the ship. We called him Mr. Know-All. (line 94)11) He was … argumentative. He knew everything better than anybody else. (lines 96-97)But the above list only proves that Mr. Kelada was a person of different culture and behaved differently. Nurtured by his more Oriental culture, he behaved in a way that was nothing wrong in itself, but was disliked by the narrator of the story, who held a prejudice against non-Western culture.(2) Underline the descriptions of Mr. and Mrs. Ramsay, and discuss the contrast between the couple.Mr. Ramsay:1) He was as dogmatic as Mr. Kelada and resented bitterly the Levantine’s cocksureness. (lines 103-104)2) He was a great heavy fellow from the Middle West, with loose fat under a tight skin, and he bulged out of his ready-made clothes. (lines 106-108)3) He was argumentative (lines 122-124) and insensitive (lines 155-170)Mrs. Ramsay:1) Mrs. Ramsay was a very pretty little thing, with pleasant manners and a sense of humor. (lines 110-111)2) She was dressed always very simply; but she knew how to wear her clothes. She achieved an effect of quiet distinction. (lines 111-113)3) You could not look at her without being struck by her modesty. It shone in her like a flower on a coat. (lines 115-116)(The husband and the wife are very different almost in every way. One is loud, fatty,aggressive and the other is quite, pretty and modest. The contrast gives the reader an impression that the man is unworthy of the lady and may indicate at possible lack of harmony in the marriage.)(3) We have been given enough hints about the true value of the necklace and the possible story behind it. Can you find them?1) “They’ll never be able to get a cultured pearl that an expert like me can’t tell with half an eye.” He pointed to a chain that Mrs. Ramsay wore. “You take my word for it, Mrs. Ramsay, that chain you’re wearing will never be worth a cent less than it is now.” (lines 134-137)2) Mrs. Ramsay in her modest way flushed a little and slipped the chain inside her dress. (line 136)3) “Oh, in the trade somewhere round fifteen thousand dollars. But if it was bought on Fifth Avenue, I shouldn’t be surprised to hear that anything up to thirty thousand was paid for it.” (lines 145-147)4) “Oh, Elmer, you can’t bet on a certainty,” said Mrs. Ramsay. (line 155)5) “But how can it be proved?” she continued. “It’s only my word against Mr. Kelada’s.”(line 159-160)6) Mrs. Ramsay hesitated a moment. She put her hands to the clasp. (line 164)7) “I can’t undo it,” she said. “Mr. Kelada will just have to take my word for it.” (line 165)8) The Levantine took a magnifying glass from his pocket and closely examined it. A smile of triumph spread over his smooth and swarthy face. (lines 170-172)9) … Mrs. Ramsay’s face. It was so white that she looked as though she were about to faint. She was staring at him with wide and terrified eyes. They held a desperate appeal. (lines 173-175)(4) Why did Mr. Kelada choose not to tell the truth of the value of the pearl necklace?(Obviously he wanted to help the helpless lady by not revealing the true value of the necklace. Otherwise she would have to face an awful and embarrassing explanation. He might have regarded Mr. Ramsay as being unworthy for the lady and acted out of disdain.)(5) Why did the narrator say by the end of the story “I did not entirely dislike Mr. Kelada”?(He seemed to be aware of his own prejudice after he had seen the positive quality of the Levantine: wisdom, self-sacrifice, and sensitiveness to other’s misfortunes.)3) Explanation and Interpretation:(Explain the implied meaning of the following sentences, and point out their significance in the context of the story.)(1) I was prepared to dislike Max Kelada even before I knew him.(This indicates that the narrator, the English gentleman, had a deep-rooted racial and cultural bias against non-English. It is not the person, but what his name represents that he disliked.)(2) But when I was told the name of my companion my heart sank…. I should have looked upon it with less dismay if my fellow passenger’s name had been Smith or Brown.(“Smith”and “Brown”are typical English surnames. The name “Max Kelada”indicates a man from a different, most likely “inferior” culture in the opinion of the narrator.)(3) The Consular Service is ill paid, and she was dressed always very simply.(This foreshadows the fact that the pearl necklace was far too expensive for her purse.)(4) Mrs. Ramsay in her modest way flushed a little and slipped the chain inside her dress.(She quickly hid the chain inside, an act that reveals her fear of its true value being noticed by somebody.)(5) “If I had a pretty little wife I shouldn’t let her spend a year in New York while I stayed at Kobe,” said he.(Mr. Kelada hinted that the husband’s leaving her alone in New York was unwise and had led to some consequences. She had now a wealthy suitor. )4) Suggested Homework:Let us suppose that in the afternoon on the same day when Mr. Kelada got back the 100 dollars, he met Mrs. Ramsay somewhere on the deck, and there were no other people around. They had a short conversation about what had happened previously. Using your imagination, write out the short dialogue between the two. The conversation may begin like this:(-- Good morning, Mrs. Ramsay. It’s a surprise to see you alone here.-- Good morning, Mr. Kelada. I don’t feel well, so I come out for a bit of fresh air.-- It’s always a pleasure to see a charming lady like you.-- Thank you for saying so. I’m extremely sorry for what happened yesterday, and I’m grateful for what you did, for me.)-- Lying about the necklace?-- Lying for my sake. You are generous and have a good heart.-- Anyway, I got the 100 dollars back. You delivered it yourself?-- Yes, I did. You did me a great service, and there is no way that you should be paying that money.-- I have been the laughingstock of everybody on board.-- You have my respect. I was real terrified yesterday, and fortunately you came to the rescue.-- It is a wonderful gift, that necklace, from a true admirer, I guess?-- You embarrass me, Mr. Kelada, but you seem to notice everything.-- It’s a good match to a pretty lady like you.-- Don’t laugh at me, I beg. I don’t think I’ll be wearing it anymore. Thank you again, and I think I’ll be going back to the cabin.。
Unit 4 练习答案与课文翻译
Unit Four CommunicationText AComprehensionⅠ. Getting Main IdeasThe whole text can be divided into three parts. Read the text and complete the following table. The partition has been given to you, so you are supposed to finish the main idea of each part.Ⅱ. Identifying DetailsAnswer the following content questions based on details of the text.1.When Juliet was six years old, the author started the writing tradition with her daughter.2.Because the author gave in reasons why Juliet wanted clogs.3. They exchanged notes about boys, homework, phone calls, helping with housework, apologies after shouting matches and any happy thoughts.4. Because she thought writing down feelings to her mom is much easier for her than trying to speak about them.5. Yes! She is satisfied with Juliet’s makeup because Juliet’s face seemed to light up.6. Yes! Juliet’s letters from college have been wonderful.Language FocusⅢ.Working with the Proper Word or PhraseFill in the blanks with the words or phrases given below. Make change to the form when necessary.1. apologies2. brush3.exchanged4.match5. tremendous6. responded7.mood8. touched9. appropriate 10. makeupⅣ.Focusing on grammar tipsPlease select the correct answer from the four choices marked A, B, C and D.1. B2.A3.A4.A5.C6. D7.C8.A9.A 10.DⅤ.TranslationTranslate the following sentences into English.1.Fighting with fists is not a good way to settle an argument.2.The young parents scolded their child because he spoke rudely to the guest.3.The government called on people to hold on to the tradition of respecting the old.4.No matter what he met, his family will pull him through.5.True, you have failed this time, but at least you can draw a lesson from thisexperience.Ⅵ. ClozeThere are 10 blanks in the following passage. Read the passage carefully until you have got its main idea, and then select one appropriate word for for each gap from the box following the passage.1. walked2. break3. lying4. laughter5. sparkle6. share7. turned8. grow9. hold 10. crashedⅦ. WritingSample:The Equality in Family Communication Recently, an English website launched a survey with the question “do you think there is communication problem within your family”. 72.6% of the participants believe communication problem do exist in their family. When they were asked what have caused this kind of problem, 31.6% of them think that the way in which they communicate is inappropriate and 27.6% believe it has something to do with the compelling force of parents. Another 23.3% blame for the social problems while the rest 17.5% think that the rebellious children are responsible for that.In my opinion, no matter what caused the communication problem between the family members, we should take active measures to deal with it. For one thing, equal communication should be advocated within the family. We’ll be more willing to open our heart when we’re all in an equal position. Equality is essential for parents and children to make friends with each other. For another, the whole family should take part in some activities that all the members are interested in. if the family members can do things together, they will stay with each other longer and of course, will talk more and know each other better. Last but not the least, children should always put their feet in their parents’shoes and listen more to their parents. Once the children understand the purpose of the parents they may not be so rebellious and the communication between them will be much easier.All in all, the communication problem within the family should be solved by the joint efforts of all the family members.Text BComprehensionⅠ. Understanding the MessageRead the text and choose the best answer to each of the following questions.1-5 D D C B AⅡ. Working with the Proper Word or PhraseComplete each of the following sentences by deciding on the most proper word from the four choices marked A, B, C and D.1—5 ABCDD 6-10 CBAAA课文翻译Text A我的女儿，我的朋友你相信文字书信的奇妙作用吗?当用话语无法表达时，文字书信更能使人们相互亲近。
Unit 4 英语短篇小说教程
Why did the narrator say by the end of the story “I did not entirely dislike Mr. Kelada”?
(Somerset Maugham, “Mr. Know-All,” lines 87-91)
Characterization, the indirect method Sample 2:
“Do you like card tricks?” “No, I hate card tricks,” I answered. “Well, I’ll just show you this one.” He showed me three. Then I said I would go down to the dining room and get my seat at table. “Oh, that’s all right,” he said. “I’ve already taken a seat for you. I thought that as we were in the same stateroom we might just as well sit at the same table.” (Somerset Maugham, “Mr. Know-All,” lines 77-83)
There are two basic types of textual indicators of character:
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《英语短篇小说教程》练习参考答案Keys to Unit FourSomerset Maugham: Mr. Know-All1) Opinions of Understanding:(1) Which of the following is a round character?A. The narrator “I”.B. Mr. Kelada.C. Mr. Ramsay.D. Mrs. Ramsay.(2) Which of the following is a most typical flat character?A. The narrator “I”.B. Mr. Kelada.C. Mr. Ramsay.D. Mrs. Ramsay.(3) The narrator decided that he might have an unpleasant company even before seeing Mr. Kelada because _______.A. he had to share a cabin with the latterB. he had known the latter to be a loud and noisy personC. the latter had a foreign nameD. the latter had a bad reputation(4) From the story we can deduce that Mrs. Ramsay’s pearl necklace was probably ________.A. a worthless imitationB. an expensive purchase that she borrowed money to pay forC. a gift from her husbandD. a gift from a lover of hers that her husband knew nothing about(5) By the end of the short story, the narrator said, “At that moment I did not entirely dislike Mr. Kelada.” The words may suggest that _______.A. he actually enjoyed the company of Mr. KeladaB. he found that Mr. Kelada was entirely different from what he had expected him to beC. he liked Mr. Kelada just for a momentD. he had changed his earlier attitude towards Mr. Kelada2) Questions for Discussion:(Suggested answers for reference)(1)What are the undesirable qualities of Mr. Kelada according to the narrator? Find them out inthe text and list them. Are they good proof that Mr. Kelada is an unpleasant person?1）…my fellow passenger’s name was (not) Smith or Brown. (not Anglo-Saxon sounding) (line 9).2) When I went on board I found Mr. Kelada’s luggage ..and toilet things (showing bad taste) (lines 11-16)3) Mr. Kelada was short and of a sturdy build, cleanshaven and dark skinned, with a fleshy, hooked nose and very large lustrous and liquid eyes. His long black hair was sleek and curly. (His physical features indicate that he is not a white European.) (lines 32-34)4) He spoke with a fluency in which there was nothing English and his gestures were exuberant. (lines 34-35)5) Mr. Kelada was chatty. (line 57)6) Mr. Kelada was familiar. …(observing) no such formality. (lines 64-68)7) “The three on the four,” said Mr. Kelada (participating in other person’s card game, being rather nosy) (lines 71-81)8) I not only shared a cabin with him and ate three meals a day at the same table, but I could not walk round the deck without his joining me. (caring little about other people’s privacy) (lines 85-86)9) He was a good mixer, and in three days knew everyone on board. He ran everything. (line 90-91)10) He was certainly the best hated man in the ship. We called him Mr. Know-All. (line 94)11) He was … argumentative. He knew everything better than anybody else. (lines 96-97)But the above list only proves that Mr. Kelada was a person of different culture and behaved differently. Nurtured by his more Oriental culture, he behaved in a way that was nothing wrong in itself, but was disliked by the narrator of the story, who held a prejudice against non-Western culture.(2) Underline the descriptions of Mr. and Mrs. Ramsay, and discuss the contrast between the couple.Mr. Ramsay:1) He was as dogmatic as Mr. Kelada and resented bitterly the Levantine’s cocksureness. (lines 103-104)2) He was a great heavy fellow from the Middle West, with loose fat under a tight skin, and he bulged out of his ready-made clothes. (lines 106-108)3) He was argumentative (lines 122-124) and insensitive (lines 155-170)Mrs. Ramsay:1) Mrs. Ramsay was a very pretty little thing, with pleasant manners and a sense of humor. (lines 110-111)2) She was dressed always very simply; but she knew how to wear her clothes. She achieved an effect of quiet distinction. (lines 111-113)3) You could not look at her without being struck by her modesty. It shone in her like a flower on a coat. (lines 115-116)(The husband and the wife are very different almost in every way. One is loud, fatty,aggressive and the other is quite, pretty and modest. The contrast gives the reader an impression that the man is unworthy of the lady and may indicate at possible lack of harmony in the marriage.)(3) We have been given enough hints about the true value of the necklace and the possible story behind it. Can you find them?1) “They’ll never be able to get a cultured pearl that an expert like me can’t tell with half an eye.” He pointed to a chain that Mrs. Ramsay wore. “You take my word for it, Mrs. Ramsay, that chain you’re wearing will never be worth a cent less than it is now.” (lines 134-137)2) Mrs. Ramsay in her modest way flushed a little and slipped the chain inside her dress. (line 136)3) “Oh, in the trade somewhere round fifteen thousand dollars. But if it was bought on Fifth Avenue, I shouldn’t be surprised to hear that anything up to thirty thousand was paid for it.” (lines 145-147)4) “Oh, Elmer, you can’t bet on a certainty,” said Mrs. Ramsay. (line 155)5) “But how can it be proved?” she continued. “It’s only my word against Mr. Kelada’s.”(line 159-160)6) Mrs. Ramsay hesitated a moment. She put her hands to the clasp. (line 164)7) “I can’t undo it,” she said. “Mr. Kelada will just have to take my word for it.” (line 165)8) The Levantine took a magnifying glass from his pocket and closely examined it. A smile of triumph spread over his smooth and swarthy face. (lines 170-172)9) … Mrs. Ramsay’s face. It was so white that she looked as though she were about to faint. She was staring at him with wide and terrified eyes. They held a desperate appeal. (lines 173-175)(4) Why did Mr. Kelada choose not to tell the truth of the value of the pearl necklace?(Obviously he wanted to help the helpless lady by not revealing the true value of the necklace. Otherwise she would have to face an awful and embarrassing explanation. He might have regarded Mr. Ramsay as being unworthy for the lady and acted out of disdain.)(5) Why did the narrator say by the end of the story “I did not entirely dislike Mr. Kelada”?(He seemed to be aware of his own prejudice after he had seen the positive quality of the Levantine: wisdom, self-sacrifice, and sensitiveness to other’s misfortunes.)3) Explanation and Interpretation:(Explain the implied meaning of the following sentences, and point out their significance in the context of the story.)(1) I was prepared to dislike Max Kelada even before I knew him.(This indicates that the narrator, the English gentleman, had a deep-rooted racial and cultural bias against non-English. It is not the person, but what his name represents that he disliked.)(2) But when I was told the name of my companion my heart sank…. I should have looked upon it with less dismay if my fellow passenger’s name had been Smith or Brown.(“Smith”and “Brown”are typical English surnames. The name “Max Kelada”indicates a man from a different, most likely “inferior” culture in the opinion of the narrator.)(3) The Consular Service is ill paid, and she was dressed always very simply.(This foreshadows the fact that the pearl necklace was far too expensive for her purse.)(4) Mrs. Ramsay in her modest way flushed a little and slipped the chain inside her dress.(She quickly hid the chain inside, an act that reveals her fear of its true value being noticed by somebody.)(5) “If I had a pretty little wife I shouldn’t let her spend a year in New York while I stayed at Kobe,” said he.(Mr. Kelada hinted that the husband’s leaving her alone in New York was unwise and had led to some consequences. She had now a wealthy suitor. )4) Suggested Homework:Let us suppose that in the afternoon on the same day when Mr. Kelada got back the 100 dollars, he met Mrs. Ramsay somewhere on the deck, and there were no other people around. They had a short conversation about what had happened previously. Using your imagination, write out the short dialogue between the two. The conversation may begin like this:(-- Good morning, Mrs. Ramsay. It’s a surprise to see you alone here.-- Good morning, Mr. Kelada. I don’t feel well, so I come out for a bit of fresh air.-- It’s always a pleasure to see a charming lady like you.-- Thank you for saying so. I’m extremely sorry for what happened yesterday, and I’m grateful for what you did, for me.)-- Lying about the necklace?-- Lying for my sake. You are generous and have a good heart.-- Anyway, I got the 100 dollars back. You delivered it yourself?-- Yes, I did. You did me a great service, and there is no way that you should be paying that money.-- I have been the laughingstock of everybody on board.-- You have my respect. I was real terrified yesterday, and fortunately you came to the rescue.-- It is a wonderful gift, that necklace, from a true admirer, I guess?-- You embarrass me, Mr. Kelada, but you seem to notice everything.-- It’s a good match to a pretty lady like you.-- Don’t laugh at me, I beg. I don’t think I’ll be wearing it anymore. Thank you again, and I think I’ll be going back to the cabin.。