现代大学英语精读3第二版Unit15_Book3

2. Language:
• •
A Drink in the Passage
Author
Unit 15
Background
History
Setting
Background
Author
Alan Paton
(1903-1988)
• A science teacher in high school. • Principal of a reform school. • Drawn into the political arena, first president of the Liberal Party of South Africa.
Background
History
A Brief History of South Africa
• Local people: Bantu-speaking tribes.
• European settlers (1652): the Dutch, known as Boers or Afrikaners, speaking Afrikaans.
His Life
Background
Author
• First novel: Cry, the Beloved Country (1948), a success, leading him to become a professional writer.
His Works
• Second novel: Too Late the Phalarope (1953). • The present story is selected from Tales from a Troubled Land (1961, a collection of his short stories).
• The Afrikaners National Party gained majority in the government (1940s) → implemented Apartheid.
Background
History
• In 1961, the Afrikaners gained final victory → founded the Republic of South Africa, withdrawing from the Common Wealth. • Toward the end of the1980s, De Klerk’s reform, lifting the ban on ANC, releasing Nelson Mandela. • In 1994, Mandela was elected President → Apartheid came to an end.
• British settlers (1820): discovery of gold and diamond → the Anglo-Boer wars. • Victory of the British → the establishment of the Union of South Africa (1910), dominated by the British.
• Cry, the Beloved Country has become an international classic.
Background
Setting
The story is set against the background of apartheid South Africa.
apartheid: apartness, referring to the racial segregation implemented in South African history
Check-on Preview
Give the implied meaning of the following sentences. …boys, I’m a sculptor, not a demonstrator. (para. 4) You know it’s by one of your own boys, don’t you? (para. 12) She knows it won’t be an easy life. (para. 14) Well honestly I didn’t feel like a drink at that time of night…” (para. 16) 5. I said unwillingly, “Yes.” (para. 27) 6. Our land is beautiful. But it breaks my heart. (para. 44) 1. 2. 3. 4.
Text Analysis
Detailed Analysis
Part I: Discussion
3. What would have happened if Simelane had attended the ceremony personally? How was the crisis averted? He said, “boys, I’m a sculptor, not a demonstrator.” Does that mean that he was too coward or unconscious of the plight of the blacks under the apartheid policies?
由于令人遗憾的疏忽完整的说明书没有随产品同来
A Drink in the Passage
Alan Paton
A Drink in the Passage
Unit 15
W arming up源自B ackgroundT ext Analysis R einforcement
A Drink in the Passage
Unit 15
Questions/Activities Check-on Preview Objectives
Warming up
Warming up
Questions / Activities
Retell the story from van Rensburg’s point of view.
Warming up
4. What do you think is the relationship between the narrator and Simelane? Describe the occasion when Simelane related the story to the narrator. Why did he say that it was the first time he had had such a glass? What was so special about the glass? Why did he say that it was also the first time he had drunk cognac so slowly?
Text Analysis
Detailed Analysis
Part I: Discussion
1. What made Simelane’s sculpture such a great success? What’s about it that appealed not only to the blacks but to the whites as well? 2. How come such an important honor was given to a black sculptor in a country notorious for racial prejudice? How was the decision received? What does this incident reveal about the situation in the 1960s in South African society? Pick up clues provided in the story.
• produce/cause/create sensation The moon landing in 1969 caused a worldwide sensation. Other meanings: One sign of a heart attack is a tingling sensation in the left arm. Caroline had the sensation that she was being watched.
Warming up
Objectives
1. Content:
• • •
Know briefly South Africa’s apartheid history. Learn about the plight of the blacks under apartheid laws and policies. Understand the tragic psychological effect of racial segregation on both races. Understand the use of symbols. Appreciate the beauty of simple, unadorned language style.
Text Analysis
Structure
I. Introduction: the issue at the sculpture competition and how the drink of cognac reminded the sculptor of his story (paras. 1-6) II. A drink in the passage and how both Simelane and van Rensburg found it hard for blacks and whites to touch each other (paras. 7-76) A. (paras. 7-36): Simelane’s meeting with van Rensburg and his acceptance of van Rensburg’s invitation to a drink B. (paras. 37-65): A drink in the passage C. (paras. 66-76): Simelane’s departure and how they both felt about not being able to touch each other
Text Analysis
Detailed Analysis
Different Wineglasses
cognac
champagn
wine
martini
Text Analysis
Detailed Analysis
Part I: Words & Expressions (1)
sensation (para. 1)
Background
Author
His Achievements
• An important South African novelist and political activist.
• Received numerous awards and honorary degrees, accepted as an authoritative and objective interpreter of South Africa.
A Drink in the Passage
Theme
Unit 15
Text Analysis
Structure
Detailed Analysis
Text Analysis
Theme
Questions for thinking:
• Why a drink?
• Why in the passage? • What does that show? • Why couldn’t they touch each other?