Zassan Sixtem. The Oyster and the Pearl by William Saroyan
The Oyster and the Pearl by William Saroyan
1.Introduction 2.Text 3.Language points 4.Work on the text 5.Grammar 6.Grammar Exercise
1. Introduction 2. Text 3. Language points 4. Work on the text 5. Grammar 6. Grammar Exercise
Introduction Introduction It is a sentimental little comedy which reveals the playwright's confidence in human goodness and his affection for ordinary people.The pearl in the play serves as a symbol. And it obviously exists not in the oyster,but in the hearts of the children,the children's father,the barber,the writer,and indeed everybody in the play.It refers to the simple virtues of poor laboring people in an out-of-the-way small town which remains relatively untouched by the money-oriented culture
Introduction Introduction It is a sentimental little comedy which reveals the playwright’s confidence in human goodness and his affection for ordinary people. The pearl in the play serves as a symbol. And it obviously exists not in the oyster, but in the hearts of the children, the children’s father, the barber, the writer, and indeed everybody in the play. It refers to the simple virtues of poor laboring people in an out-of-the-way small town which remains relatively untouched by the money-oriented culture. 导言
Introduction However,due to changing social standards,what was an entertaining comedy to an American audience in 1953 would appear oversimplified and somewhat stilted some forty-odd years later.First,by today's standards,the characters are stereotyped:for example,Harry is the generous- hearted,broad-spirited,open-minded,understanding working man,while Miss McCutcheon is just the opposite an"up- tight"school teacher.Both of these portrayals are stock images with a long tradition in American folklore. 导言
However, due to changing social standards, what was an entertaining comedy to an American audience in 1953 would appear oversimplified and somewhat stilted some forty-odd years later. First, by today’s standards, the characters are stereotyped: for example, Harry is the generoushearted, broad-spirited, open-minded, understanding working man, while Miss McCutcheon is just the opposite － an “uptight” school teacher. Both of these portrayals are stock images with a long tradition in American folklore. Introduction 导言
Introduction Second,the play would certainly be considered sexist by serious theater-goers today.As soon as Miss McCutcheon enters,Harry's first words to her are:"Miss America I presume."This is an extremely condescending and presumptuous remark,showing that he feels perfectly free to comment on her looks despite the fact that he has never even met the woman.The judge behaves no differently when he looks her over as if he is judging cattle at a fair("...he takes a good look at her knees,calves,ankles...").There are also frequent references by the men to her being pretty and little else 导言
Second, the play would certainly be considered sexist by serious theater-goers today. As soon as Miss McCutcheon enters, Harry’s first words to her are: “Miss America I presume.” This is an extremely condescending and presumptuous remark, showing that he feels perfectly free to comment on her looks despite the fact that he has never even met the woman. The judge behaves no differently when he looks her over as if he is judging cattle at a fair (“…he takes a good look at her knees, calves, ankles…”). There are also frequent references by the men to her being pretty and little else. Introduction 导言