Unit 5 Section A I. Background Knowledge Henry David Thoreau Henry David Thoreau: U.S. thinker, essayist, and naturalist(1817-1862). Born in Concord Mass, Thoreau graduated from Harvard University and taught school for several years before deciding to become a poet of nature. Back in Concord, he came under the influence ofr. w Emerson and began to publish pieces in the Transcendentalist magazine The Dial. In the years 845-1847, to demonstrate how satisfying a simple life could be, he lived in a hut beside Concords Walden Pond; essays recording his daily life were assembled for his masterpiece Walden(1854). His A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers(1849)was the only other book he published in his lifetime. He reflected on a night he spent in jail protesting the Mexican-American War in the essay Civil Disobedience(1849), which would later influence such figures as M. Gandhi and M. L. King. In later years his interest in Transcendentalism waned and he became a dedicated abolitionist. His many nature writings and records of his wanderings in Canada, Maine, and Cape Cod display the mind of a keen naturalist. After his death his collected writings were published in 20 volumes, and further writings have continued to appear in prints John milton John Milton: English poet (1608-1674) Milton attended Cambridge University (1625 -1632), where he wrote poems in Latin, Italian, and English; these included L'Allegro and ll enseroso, both published later in Poems(1645 ). During 1632-1638 he engaged in private study- writing the masque Comus(1637)and the extraordinary elegy lycidas(1638)-and ured Ital Concerned with the Puritan cause in England, he spent much of 1641-1660 pamphleteering for civil and religious liberty and serving in Oliver Cromwell's government. His best-known prose is in the pamphlets Areopagitica(1644), on freedom of the press, and Of Education(1644). He lost his sight in the year of 1651, and thereafter dictated his works. His disastrous first marriage ended with his wife's death in 1652 two later marriages were more successful. After the Restoration he was arrested as a noted defender of the Commonwealth but was soon released In Paradise Lost(1667), his epic masterpiece on the Fall of Man written in blank verse, he uses his ublime "grand style"with superb power; his characterization of Satan is a supreme achievement He further expressed his purified faith in God and the regenerative strength of the individual soul in Paradise Regained(1671), an epic in which Christ overcomes Satan the tempter, and Samson Agonistes(1671), a tragedy in which the Old Testament figure conquers self-pity and despair to become God's champion Considered second only to w. Shakespeare in the history of English-language had an immense influence on later literature; though attacked early in the 20th century, he had gained his place in the Western canon by mid-century William Wordsworth William Wordsworth: English poet(1770-1850). Orphaned at 13, Wordsworth attended Cambridge Univ, but remained rootless and virtually penniless until 1795, when a legacy mad
Unit 5 Section A I. Background Knowledge Henry David Thoreau Henry David Thoreau: U.S. thinker, essayist, and naturalist (1817 —1862). Born in Concord, Mass., Thoreau graduated from Harvard University and taught school for several years before deciding to become a poet of nature. Back in Concord, he came under the influence of R. W. Emerson and began to publish pieces in the Transcendentalist magazine The Dial. In the years 1845 —1847, to demonstrate how satisfying a simple life could be, he lived in a hut beside Concord's Walden Pond; essays recording his daily life were assembled for his masterpiece, Walden (1854). His A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers (1849) was the only other book he published in his lifetime. He reflected on a night he spent in jail protesting the Mexican-American War in the essay Civil Disobedience (1849), which would later influence such figures as M. Gandhi and M. L. King. In later years his interest in Transcendentalism waned and he became a dedicated abolitionist. His many nature writings and records of his wanderings in Canada, Maine, and Cape Cod display the mind of a keen naturalist. After his death his collected writings were published in 20 volumes, and further writings have continued to appear in prints. John Milton John Milton: English poet (1608 —1674). Milton attended Cambridge University (1625 —1632), where he wrote poems in Latin, Italian, and English; these included L'Allegro and Il Penseroso, both published later in Poems (1645). During 1632—1638 he engaged in private study— writing the masque Comus (1637) and the extraordinary elegy Lycidas (1638)—and toured Italy. Concerned with the Puritan cause in England, he spent much of 1641—1660 pamphleteering for civil and religious liberty and serving in Oliver Cromwell's government. His best-known prose is in the pamphlets Areopagitica (1644), on freedom of the press, and Of Education (1644). He lost his sight in the year of 1651, and thereafter dictated his works. His disastrous first marriage ended with his wife's death in 1652; two later marriages were more successful. After the Restoration he was arrested as a noted defender of the Commonwealth, but was soon released. In Paradise Lost (1667), his epic masterpiece on the Fall of Man written in blank verse, he uses his sublime “grand style” with superb power; his characterization of Satan is a supreme achievement. He further expressed his purified faith in God and the regenerative strength of the individual soul in Paradise Regained (1671), an epic in which Christ overcomes Satan the tempter, and Samson Agonistes (1671), a tragedy in which the Old Testament figure conquers self-pity and despair to become God's champion. Considered second only to W. Shakespeare in the history of English-language poetry, Milton had an immense influence on later literature; though attacked early in the 20th century, he had regained his place in the Western canon by mid-century. William Wordsworth William Wordsworth: English poet (1770—1850). Orphaned at 13, Wordsworth attended Cambridge Univ., but remained rootless and virtually penniless until 1795, when a legacy made
possible a reunion with his sister D. Wordsworth. He became friends with S. T. Coleridge, with whom he wrote Lyrical Ballads(1798), the collection often considered to have launched the English Romantic Movement Wordsworth's contributions include"Tintern Abbey"and many lyrics controversial for their common,everyday language. Around 1798 he began writing the epic autobiographical poem that would absorb him intermittently for the next 40 years, The Prelude(1850). His second verse collection, Poems, in Two Volumes(1807), includes many of the rest of his finest works, including Ode: Intimations of Immortality. His poetry is perhaps most original in its vision of the almost divine power of the creative imagination reforging the links between man and man between humankind and the natural world The most memorable poems of his middle and late years were often cast in elegiac mode; few match the best of his earlier works. By the time he became widely appreciated by the critics and the public, his poetry had lost most of its force and his radical pol itics had yielded to conservatism In 1843 he became England's poet laureate. He is regarded as the central figure in the initiation of English romanticism II. Text analysis Main idea and Structure What is the text mainly about? As a sort of US national disease, lots of people are living alone, some divorced, some widowed and some never yet committed. But to be alone on purpose is of American hero. Solitude is liked by poets and philosophers for inspiration, and improved by being voluntary. Although those living with others may enjoy temporary solitude those living in solitude may suffer from the need to talk thus behaving strangely and talking at length to themselves or to their pets. The best cure for this is to stay rational, settle down and find grace and pleasure in one 's own condition How is the text organized? The passage falls into four parts. The author begins with the brief description of being alone in USA. Next, two different views on solitude are presented. Then, three examples are given to comments and advice on living in solltude Se to live in solitude. Finally, the author gives illustrate why and how some personages ch As a social trend, lots of people are living alone Part 2 (Para. 2) Loneliness. a sort of social disease but a characteristic of an american hero Part 3(Paras. 3-10) Poets &philosophers prefer living alon Part 4(Paras. 11-16) he author's comments advice on living in solitude III. Language Points 1. by count: by calculating the number of units in a group
possible a reunion with his sister D. Wordsworth. He became friends with S. T. Coleridge, with whom he wrote Lyrical Ballads (1798), the collection often considered to have launched the English Romantic Movement. Wordsworth's contributions include “Tintern Abbey” and many lyrics controversial for their common, everyday language. Around 1798 he began writing the epic autobiographical poem that would absorb him intermittently for the next 40 years, The Prelude (1850). His second verse collection, Poems, in Two Volumes (1807), includes many of the rest of his finest works, including Ode: Intimations of Immortality. His poetry is perhaps most original in its vision of the almost divine power of the creative imagination reforging the links between man and man, between humankind and the natural world. The most memorable poems of his middle and late years were often cast in elegiac mode; few match the best of his earlier works. By the time he became widely appreciated by the critics and the public, his poetry had lost most of its force and his radical politics had yielded to conservatism. In 1843 he became England's poet laureate. He is regarded as the central figure in the initiation of English Romanticism. II. Text Analysis Main idea and Structure What is the text mainly about? As a sort of US national disease, lots of people are living alone, some divorced, some widowed and some never yet committed. But to be alone on purpose is of American hero. Solitude is liked by poets and philosophers for inspiration, and improved by being voluntary. Although those living with others may enjoy temporary solitude, those living in solitude may suffer from the need to talk, thus behaving strangely and talking at length to themselves or to their pets. The best cure for this is to stay rational, settle down and find grace and pleasure in one's own condition. How is the text organized? The passage falls into four parts. The author begins with the brief description of being alone in USA. Next, two different views on solitude are presented. Then, three examples are given to illustrate why and how some personages choose to live in solitude. Finally, the author gives comments and advice on living in solitude. Part 1 (Para. 1) As a social trend, lots of people are living alone. Part 2 (Para. 2) Loneliness: a sort of social disease but a characteristic of an American hero. Part 3 (Paras. 3-10) Poets &philosophers prefer living alone. Part 4 (Paras. 11-16) The author's comments & advice on living in solitude III. Language Points 1. by count: by calculating the number of units in a group
By our count that's the fifth cake you've eaten.我们数了一下,这是你吃的第五块蛋糕 By my count there are270 people present.我统计了一下,有270人出席 Compare: at the last count The number of students was665 at the last count最后一次点数时,学生的人数为665人 We had450 members at the last count上次点人数时我们有450个成员。 count on:依靠,依赖/对….有信心,期待 You can count on my help.你可以依赖我的帮助 counted on getting a raise.期待获得加薪 count down:倒数计时 2. alone: a.& ad. without other people He likes being alone in the house他喜欢独自待在家中。 She decided to climb the mountain alone她决定独自去爬山 Compare: lonelv a unhappy because of being alone or without friends The streets are lonelier at night.这些街道晚上更冷清 3. cast out:( (literary) get rid of, drive out or away; expel赶出,驱逐 The poor fellow was cast out by the landlady when his last penny had gone.那可怜的穷人 花掉最后一个便士之后,就被房东太太赶了出去。 He was cast out of his home at the age of fourteen.他在14岁时被家里赶了出来 4. solitary a. alone; lonely; without companions独自的,孤独的 The young man is rather solitary by nature.这年轻人生性相当孤僻 He was often alone but never solitary.他时常一人独处,但从不感到孤寂。 venture out: risk going somewhere that might be dangerous冒险出去 I'd rather not venture out in pouring rain if I dont have to!如果不是非出去不可,我可不愿 冒着倾盆大雨出去 Today' s the first time I've ventured out of doors since my illness今天是我病后第一次冒险 出门 6. turn one's back: turn so that one is facing the opposite direction #f He turned his back and walked away.他转身走开了。 I'm going to get dressed now- please turn your back.我要换衣服请你转过身 7. be for: support; favor -be against I'm for the chairman,s plan.我赞成主席的计划。 8. speak highly of: express or have a high opinion of对…给予高度评价,赞扬 She speaks highly of the new teacher:她对这位新教师评价很高。 The students speak highly of their history teacher学生高度评价他们的历史老师。 Compare: speak ill /well of express a bad /good opinion of Don't speak ill of the dead.别说死者的坏话。 9. seek out:find(sth.orsb.) by looking hard找出,搜寻出 How can we seek out a person for the job?我们如何才能找到适合这项工作的人 It took me several weeks to seek out the information that I wanted.我花了好几个星期才找 到我要的资料 10. set forth:1)(lit,) start a journey启程,动身 They set forth on their hike immediately after breakfas.他们早饭 后马上启程开始徒步旅行 He set forth on a three-month trip around the world他启程开始为期三个月
By our count that's the fifth cake you've eaten. 我们数了一下，这是你吃的第五块蛋糕。 By my count there are 270 people present. 我统计了一下，有 270 人出席。 Compare: at the last count The number of students was 665 at the last count.最后一次点数时，学生的人数为 665 人。 We had 450 members at the last count.上次点人数时我们有 450 个成员。 count on: 依靠，依赖/ 对……有信心，期待 You can count on my help.你可以依赖我的帮助。 counted on getting a raise.期待获得加薪 count down: 倒数计时 2. alone: a. & ad. without other people He likes being alone in the house.他喜欢独自待在家中。 She decided to climb the mountain alone.她决定独自去爬山。 Compare: lonely: a. unhappy because of being alone or without friends The streets are lonelier at night. 这些街道晚上更冷清。 3. cast out: (literary) get rid of; drive out or away; expel 赶出，驱逐 The poor fellow was cast out by the landlady when his last penny had gone. 那可怜的穷人 花掉最后一个便士之后，就被房东太太赶了出去。 He was cast out of his home at the age of fourteen. 他在 14 岁时被家里赶了出来。 4. solitary a. alone; lonely; without companions 独自的，孤独的 The young man is rather solitary by nature. 这年轻人生性相当孤僻。 He was often alone but never solitary. 他时常一人独处，但从不感到孤寂。 5. venture out: risk going somewhere that might be dangerous 冒险出去 I'd rather not venture out in pouring rain if I don't have to!如果不是非出去不可，我可不愿 冒着倾盆大雨出去。 Today's the first time I've ventured out of doors since my illness.今天是我病后第一次冒险 出门。 6. turn one's back: turn so that one is facing the opposite direction 转身 He turned his back and walked away. 他转身走开了。 I'm going to get dressed now — please turn your back. 我要换衣服请你转过身。 7. be for: support; favor — be against I'm for the chairman's plan. 我赞成主席的计划。 8. speak highly of: express or have a high opinion of 对……给予高度评价，赞扬 She speaks highly of the new teacher. 她对这位新教师评价很高。 The students speak highly of their history teacher.学生高度评价他们的历史老师。 Compare: speak ill /well of: express a bad /good opinion of Don't speak ill of the dead. 别说死者的坏话。 9. seek out: find (sth. or sb.) by looking hard 找出，搜寻出 How can we seek out a person for the job? 我们如何才能找到适合这项工作的人？ It took me several weeks to seek out the information that I wanted. 我花了好几个星期才找 到我要的资料。 10. set forth: 1) (lit.) start a journey 启程，动身 They set forth on their hike immediately after breakfast.他们早饭 后马上启程开始徒步旅行。 He set forth on a three-month trip around the world.他启程开始为期三个月
的周游世界的旅行。 2)(fml) present sth. or make it known阐明,提出,陈列 The President set forth his views in a television broadcast总统在电视中阐 明了自己的观点。 11. creep away: leave rather carefully in order to avoid being noticed偷偷离开 They crept away in order not to wake the baby为了不弄醒婴儿,他们蹑手蹑脚地走开了 12. dictate:v.1) say words aloud for sb. else to write down听写,口授 He dictated a letter to his secretary.他向秘书口授信件 The teacher dictated a passage to the class老师听写学生一篇文章 2)tllb. what to do,esp. In an annoying way命令;要求 Conquerors dictated terms of surrender征服者强制规定投降条件 13. high priest: If you call a man the high priest of a particular thing, you are saying(in a slightly mocking way) that he is considered by people to be expert in that thing.主教大祭司/(学 术领域等的)大师,领导者 He is widely regarded as the high priest of contemporary dance.他被人们广泛誉为当代舞 蹈的代表人物。 People refer to him as the high priest of cheap periodical fiction.人们称他为廉价杂志小说 的专家 14.ego:n. one's idea or opinion of oneself自我,自负,自尊心 Is success good for ego?成功对一个人的自尊有好处吗? His criticism injured my ego.他的批评伤了我的自尊心 15. stretch out:1) make wider or longer, lengthen(sh) by pulling拉长,伸长 gth.这条 橡皮筋可被拉长两倍。 Some of the members tried to stretch the meeting out.一些会员想延长会 议时间 2)lie de rder to relax or sleep伸出 He stretched himself out on the sofa and fell asleep.他伸展着身子躺在 沙发上睡着了 装满,占满 Research work and lectures filled up his time.研究工作以及演讲占满了他的时间 She filled up all the buckets she could lay her hands on.她把所有能找到的提桶都装满了 17. stay up late: remain late out of bed, as at night kk We stayed up late to watch TV.我们看电视看到很晚才睡 18. at one sitting: a period of time that a person spends sitting and doing an activity I read the book at one sitting.我坐着一口气把书读完了 19. at one s own pace: at the speed that sb does sth. as fast as or as slow as he can 2 e encourage students to work at their own pa我们鼓励学生按自己进度学习 back up:) block up(使)积压,(使)拥塞 The heavy rainfall backed up the sewers.大雨把阴沟堵塞了。 The cars backed up for miles.汽车拥塞,首尾相接长达数英里 2)support sb or sth; say that what sb. says, etc is true xi He doesn't back up his arguments with facts.他没有用事实来支持 自己的论点
的周游世界的旅行。 2) (fml.) present sth. or make it known 阐明, 提出, 陈列 The President set forth his views in a television broadcast.总统在电视中阐 明了自己的观点。 11. creep away: leave rather carefully in order to avoid being noticed 偷偷离开 They crept away in order not to wake the baby.为了不弄醒婴儿，他们蹑手蹑脚地走开了。 12. dictate: v. 1) say words aloud for sb. else to write down 听写，口授 He dictated a letter to his secretary. 他向秘书口授信件。 The teacher dictated a passage to the class. 老师听写学生一篇文章. 2) tell sb. what to do, esp. in an annoying way 命令；要求 Conquerors dictated terms of surrender.征服者强制规定投降条件。 13. high priest: If you call a man the high priest of a particular thing, you are saying (in a slightly mocking way) that he is considered by people to be expert in that thing. 主教, 大祭司/ (学 术领域等的)大师，领导者 He is widely regarded as the high priest of contemporary dance.他被人们广泛誉为当代舞 蹈的代表人物。 People refer to him as the high priest of cheap periodical fiction.人们称他为廉价杂志小说 的专家。 14. ego: n. one's idea or opinion of oneself 自我，自负，自尊心 Is success good for ego? 成功对一个人的自尊有好处吗？ His criticism injured my ego.他的批评伤了我的自尊心。 15. stretch out: 1) make wider or longer, lengthen (sth.) by pulling 拉长，伸长 The rubber band can be stretched out to twice its length. 这条 橡皮筋可被拉长两倍。 Some of the members tried to stretch the meeting out. 一些会员想延长会 议时间。 2) lie down, usu. in order to relax or sleep 伸出 He stretched himself out on the sofa and fell asleep. 他伸展着身子躺在 沙发上睡着了。 16. fill up: become completely full; make sth. completely full 装满，占满 Research work and lectures filled up his time. 研究工作以及演讲占满了他的时间。 She filled up all the buckets she could lay her hands on. 她把所有能找到的提桶都装满了。 17. stay up late: remain late out of bed, as at night 熬夜 We stayed up late to watch TV. 我们看电视看到很晚才睡。 18. at one sitting: a period of time that a person spends sitting and doing an activity I read the book at one sitting. 我坐着一口气把书读完了。 19. at one's own pace: at the speed that sb. does sth. as fast as or as slow as he can We encourage students to work at their own pace. 我们鼓励学生按自己进度学习. 20. back up: 1) block up（使）积压，（使）拥塞 The heavy rainfall backed up the sewers. 大雨把阴沟堵塞了。 The cars backed up for miles. 汽车拥塞，首尾相接长达数英里。 2) support sb. or sth.; say that what sb. says, etc. is true 支持 He doesn't back up his arguments with facts. 他没有用事实来支持 自己的论点
He backed me up whole- heartedly as he always did.就像他一贯所做的那 样,他全心全意地支持我 21. at length:1) taking a long time, in great detail; fully长久地,详尽地 He went on at great length about his various illnesses.他唠唠叨 叨地讲述了他得的各种疾病。 He will first give you a summary of the situation and then discuss it at lengt 他将先给你们扼要谈谈形势,然后再进行详细的讨论。 2)after a long time; eventually " I'm still not sure," he said at length.“我还是不肯定”他终于说了 22. in line: in a row of people standing one behind the other(排)成一行,一队 You are not in line with the others.你没有和别人排成一行 The children stood in line.孩子们排成一队。 23. be fond of: have a great liking for(sb.orsh)喜爱,喜欢 Did you ever see anyone so fond of dancing?你见过有谁这么爱跳舞吗? 24. powdered:a粉状的 powdered sugar糖粉 She used the powdered milk to feed her baby.她用奶粉来喂孩子。 Compare: powder: n /v put a dry mass of very small fine pieces on sth She powdered her face and put on her lipstick.她往脸上扑上粉,嘴唇上抹上口红。 The ground was lightly powdered with snow.地上覆盖着一层薄薄的白雪。 25. settle down: become quiet and calm安静下来,安下心来,适应(或习惯于)新环境 He settled down to do his homework.他安下心来做家庭作业 I'm sure the child will soon settle down in his new school 我确信这孩子很快就会对新学校习惯起来 26. seal up close a container tightly so that air, liquid cannot get in or out tf Make sure the parcel of examination scripts is properly sealed up.确保装考卷的袋子密封 好了 He sealed up a drawer so that it cannot be opened.他封住抽屉使它不能被打开 27. for the time being: just for the present; not for long暂时,眼下 They will take no action for the time being他们暂时还不准备采取任何行动。 I am staying at home for the time being.我目前呆在家里。 28. might/may as well do sth. If you say you might /may as well do sth, you mean you will do it though you may feel slightly reluctant about it.最好做某事,不妨做某事 Anyway, you're here; you might as well stay不管怎样,你已经来了,就不妨呆在这儿 There' s nobody interesting to talk to. We may as well go home没有有趣的人可交谈,我们 不妨回家吧 ⅣV. Writing How to Be. in Life/future 1.生活中将来人们都想 2.要想实现这一愿望,你应 具备什么素质? (知识性说明文)
He backed me up whole-heartedly as he always did. 就像他一贯所做的那 样，他全心全意地支持我。 21. at length: 1) taking a long time; in great detail; fully 长久地，详尽地 He went on at great length about his various illnesses. 他唠唠叨 叨地讲述了他得的各种疾病。 He will first give you a summary of the situation and then discuss it at length. 他将先给你们扼要谈谈形势，然后再进行详细的讨论。 2) after a long time; eventually "I'm still not sure," he said at length. “我还是不肯定”他终于说了。 22. in line: in a row of people standing one behind the other （排）成一行，一队 You are not in line with the others. 你没有和别人排成一行。 The children stood in line. 孩子们排成一队。 23. be fond of: have a great liking for (sb. or sth.) 喜爱，喜欢 Did you ever see anyone so fond of dancing? 你见过有谁这么爱跳舞吗？ 24. powdered: a.粉状的 powdered sugar 糖粉 She used the powdered milk to feed her baby. 她用奶粉来喂孩子。 Compare: powder: n./ v. put a dry mass of very small fine pieces on sth. She powdered her face and put on her lipstick. 她往脸上扑上粉，嘴唇上抹上口红。 The ground was lightly powdered with snow. 地上覆盖着一层薄薄的白雪。 25. settle down: become quiet and calm 安静下来，安下心来，适应（或习惯于）新环境 He settled down to do his homework. 他安下心来做家庭作业。 I'm sure the child will soon settle down in his new school. 我确信这孩子很快就会对新学校习惯起来。 26. seal up: close a container tightly so that air, liquid cannot get in or out 密封住 Make sure the parcel of examination scripts is properly sealed up. 确保装考卷的袋子密封 好了。 He sealed up a drawer so that it cannot be opened. 他封住抽屉使它不能被打开。 27. for the time being: just for the present; not for long 暂时，眼下 They will take no action for the time being.他们暂时还不准备采取任何行动。 I am staying at home for the time being. 我目前呆在家里。 28. might /may as well do sth.: If you say you might /may as well do sth., you mean you will do it though you may feel slightly reluctant about it. 最好做某事，不妨做某事 Anyway, you're here; you might as well stay.不管怎样，你已经来了，就不妨呆在这儿吧。 There's nobody interesting to talk to. We may as well go home.没有有趣的人可交谈，我们 不妨回家吧。 IV. Writing How to Be… in Life / Future 1. 生活中/将来人们都想······ 2. 要想实现这一愿望，你应 具备什么素质？ （知识性说明文）