全新版大学英语第三册第五课

Part Two: A Brief Introduction of Alex Haley
Alex Haley(1921-1992) Journalist, Novelist The author of the widely acclaimed novel Roots was born in Ithaca, New York on August 11, 1921, and reared in Henning, Tennessee. The oldest of three sons of a college professor father and a mother who taught grade school, Haley graduated from high school at fifteen and attended college for two years before enlisting in the United States Coast Guard as a messboy in 1939. He severed there till 1959.
Haley's greatest success was Roots: The Saga of an American Family (1976). This well-researched genealogy--born of the history recited by Haley's maternal grandmother--covers seven American generations, from the enslavement of Haley's African ancestors to his own genealogical quest. The work forcefully shows relationships between generations and between races.
Mayflower Ⅱ
Cultural Notes: Thanksgiving
Today people celebrate Thanksgiving to remember these early days. The most important part of celebration is a traditional dinner with foods that come from North America. The meal includes turkey, sweet potatoes and cranberriers. The turkey is filled with stuffing or dressing, and many families have their own special recipe. Dessert is pumpkin made into a pie. On Thanksgiving there are special television programs and sports events. In New York there is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, when a long line of people wearing fancy costumes march through the streets with large balloons in the
Group Work:
1.How is Thanksgiving celebrated in the United States? Do you think the way the writer celebrated the holiday makes sense ? 2. Why do you think the writer printed “Find good – and praise it” at the bottom of all his stationery?
Questions: 1. When did the custom of giving thanks begin? 2. What is the key reason for Native Americans’ ceremonies? 3. Except giving thanks, are there any other activities in these feasts? 4. Why do they give away those material things? 5. What kinds of things do they give thanks to?
His first major work The Autobiography of Malcolm X (1965), was an authoritative and widely read narrative based on Haley's interviews with the Black Muslim spokesman. The work is recognized as a classic of black American autobiography.
Text A Writing Three Thank-you Letters
Native Traditions of Giving Thanks The American custom of giving thanks did not begin with the arrival of European colonists. Spirituality was (and is) a deeply sacred and personal part of Wampanoag (one Indian Tribe in America) life. Everything is sacred, and giving thanks for the Creator’s gifts is an integral part of daily life. From ancient times up to the present day, the Native people of North America have held ceremonies to give thanks for successful harvests and other good fortune. According to the oral information of tribal elders, giving thanks was the primary reason for ceremonies or feasts. Giving thanks was an important part of the celebrations, called Nickommo, which are still held by the Wampanoag. Give-away ceremonies, feasting, dancing and sports and games were common features of these occasions. Give-away ceremonies show gratefulness to the Creator who provides for the people and makes possible the blessings celebrated. The act of giving away material things shows respect and caring for others, while reminding the participants that material objects are only secondary to one’s spiritual life.
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Text A Text B Writing Three Thank-you Letters Where Is Home
Part One Pre-reading Activities
A: Reading Comprehension
B: Learning Quotations: Life is a festival only to the wise. -- Ralph Waldo Emerson To give thanks in solitude is enough. Thanksgiving has wings and goes where it must go. -- Victor Hugo Your friend is your field which you saw with love and reap with thanksgiving. -- Kahlil Gibran
Thankfulness was woven into every aspect of Wampanoag life. If an animal was hunted for food, special thanks were also given to the Creator and to the spirit of the animal. If a plant was harvested and used for any purpose, or a bird or a fish, if an anthill was disrupted, gratitude and acknowledgement were given for the little ones’ lives. To this day it is the same with most Native people.
3.Do you praise others more often than criticize them or the other way round?
Part Four: Cultural Notes
1.
Thanksgiving: Thanksgiving is celebrated in the US on the fourth Thursday in November. For many Americans it is the most important holiday apart from Christmas. Schools, offices and most business close for Thanksgiving, and many people make the whole weekend a vacation. It is associated with the time when Europeans first came to North America. In 1620 the ship the Mayflower arrived, bringing about 150 people who today are usually called Pilgrims.
Part Three: Comprehension Questions
Pair Work: 1. When and where did the writer write the three “thank you” letters? 2. What made the writer extremely busy on the Thanksgiving Day ? 3. What was the writer thinking about on the deck after the day’s hard work? 4. What then did he decide to do? 5. Why did the writer feel ashamed when he thought about the people that he wanted to express his gratitude to? 6. Who did he finally decide to write to? 7. What did the writer learn from the writing of the three letters? 8. What did the writer wish for all people when another Thanksgiving was drawing near?