现代大学英语精读三 Unit 3 A Dill Pickle

1、Katherine Mansfield A Dill PickleObjectives1. Understand the story: theme & character. a) learn to piece together the plot of a fragmentary story. b) give character sketches of the 2 people in the story and find out evidence from the text to support the sketches. c) discuss the major themes of t

2、he story.2. Difficulty: Appreciate literature a) read the story from a particular perspective: feminism; b) interpret the symbols. c) Use of stream of consciousness (paras 16-21)3. Grammar: exclamatory sentences; rhetorical question4.Writing: learn to describe a scene or object with accuracy: verbs.

3、Whats the text about?How do you like the story? Whats the heros name?If you were the heroine, would you leave the man?What is your definition of love?How do you understand the title - the Dill Pickle?QuestionsWho: Vera and her ex-lover (his name was never told)When: 6 years after their separationWhe

4、re: in a restaurantWhat: They recalled their previous daysWhy: How: use flashbacks to reconstruct the whole storyPlot It is about a young man and a young woman, who had been lovers, met each other after six years of separation. As they sat and reminisced, we understand what had happened six years ag

5、o that led to the end of their relationship. Now, six years later, they had the opportunity to renew their relationship, but somehow they separated again.PlotTheme of the story A love story: about the relationship between loversQuestion:What do you know about these two characters? Can you give a cha

6、racter sketch for each of them based on the information scattered in the text.Character AnalysisVeraQuestions for thinking: How did Vera feel when she saw her former lover? Was she still attached to him?Why did Vera break up with the man six years earlier? Do you think Vera left the man again for th

7、e same reasons as the first time?1.What indeed did Vera want? Why had she been so lonely? Was it because, as the man said, she was an egoist?Vera5. What does the “strange beast” stand for? Why does the author describe it as a “strange beast”? Is this image conventionally associated with women?6. How

8、 do you understand that Vera was “born out of her time”?Character AnalysisThe manQuestions for thinking: What is the mans name? Why isnt he given a name? Was the man still in love with Vera? If not, why did he seem so happy talking to her and ask her to stay?Why did he “let it go at that” when Vera

9、told him she had sold her piano?In what tone did he mention the break-up letter? Do you think he really understood now what Vera had written about him?1.Do you agree with what the man said about Vera? Did he understand her to some extent?Character Analysis Character Analysisn The woman: sensitive; l

10、onely; physically weak/financially difficult; spiritually alive and strong; cherishing the memory very much; easily moved;n The man: egotistical; self-conscious; self-involved; self-engrossed; insensitive to others feelings; stingyExamples for the womans character:1.I dont feel very well. I cant bea

11、r this weather. Loathe it(cold).2. and of how it(the trick of interrupting her) used to exasperate her six years ago.3. But now, as he spoke, the memory faded. His was the truer. (Her memory became weaker and weaker, while his memory , the memory of the wonderful time they had at Kew Gardens, was th

12、e truer.)4. No, Ive no piano. Sold. Ages ago.5. “ The dog was called Bosun,” “What dog? Had you a dog?”6. But as she watched him draw her glove through his fingers, gentle, gently, her anger really did die down./she lifted her head as though she drank something.7. “ Just the same. I am as alone as e

13、ver.” Character AnalysisExamples for the mans egoism“She smiled, he frowned.”He was used to interrupting her.Although the woman obviously had a hard time in the past six years, he paid no attention to her plight, just talking about (boasting) himself and his travels. Are you still so fond of perfume

14、s? Ah, when I was in Russia/ “He let it go at that.” The difficult finance of Vera seems to have nothing to do with him.“I couldnt help laughing as I read it.” The letter she sent him six years ago: He trivializes the letter, and by doing this, also trivializes their relationship.He claimed that the

15、y are both egotistical and self-engrossed, but the fact is that it was he alone who has the problem.“But the cream has not been touched,” he said. “Please do not charge me for it.” (Stingy, mean, a niggard) Character AnalysisDetailed Analysis1.Para 1: “And then, after six years, she saw him again.”

16、Question: What can you infer from this sentence? 1) They must have known each other before. 2) For some unknown reason, they had not seen each for 6 years.2. Para 2: “ He didnt know her. She smiled, he frownedin a dark room” Question: Why “smile”? Why “frown”? Why “closed his eyes”? (She smiled beca

17、use she was very glad to see her old friend. He frowned because he could not recognize her. That he closed his eyes implied he was searching his memory.) Lesson 9 A Dill PickleThe woman:What she says: She hesitated, but of course she meant to Yes, Id like some coffee. What she is feeling: After all

18、these years Id love to speak to him.The man:What he says: Really for the moment I didnt know you.H o w t h e r e a d e r judges it:What a hurtful thing to say: He couldnt recognize her after only 6 years.Try to describe their feelings when they talked. Detailed AnalysisKew GardensDetailed Analysis3.

19、Para 13: “I am still just as ignorant for all your telling me.” Paraphrase this sentence: I am still as ignorant as before of the names of flowers although you had told me.For all: despite, in spite of, notwithstanding -He has great power and wealth, but is still unhappy for all that. For all that:

20、although, though -He is still unhappy for all that he has great power and wealth.Wild GeraniumMarigold 万寿菊万寿菊 Verbena美人樱美人樱 4. Para 14: “.behaving like a maniac about the waspswaving them away, flapping at them with his strew hat, serious and infuriated out of all proportion to the occasion. How she

21、 had suffered.” Question: What made Vera suffer? (He was so childish, trivial, and ridiculous that he had made a fool of them both.)out of all proportion to sth: in a wrong relation to sth Here：absurd, abnormal; out of place -His head is out of proportion to the size of his bodyDetailed Analysis5. P

22、ara 15: “But now, as he spoke, that memory faded. His was the truer. ” (Now, that memory about the ridiculous scene gradually disappeared. His memory was more accurate. They did have a good time that afternoon.)6. Para 16: “And in the warmth, as it were, another memory unfolded.” (And while she felt

23、 warmth at the thought of that wonderful afternoon, another scene came into her mind.)As it were: as you might say; so to speak可以说，宛如 -He is, as it were, a walking dictionary. As it is: in reality, reallyDetailed Analysis7. Para22: “He was certainly far better looking now than he had been then. He h

24、ad lost all that dreamy vagueness and indecision. Now he had the air of a man who has found his place in life. ” (He was no longer unpractical or unrealistic and uncertain what to do with his life. Now he becomes a man who knows what he wants to do and who has found a gainful career that suits him.

25、) Vera is secretly comparing the man now with what he was six years ago, and her conclusion is that the man has changed for better.8. Para 26: She broke in:” Youve really been to Russia?” Question: They both broke in, but are they doing that for the same reason?Detailed AnalysisPara. 9 He interrupte

26、d her, Excuse me, and tapped on the table for the waitress. Please bring some coffee and cream.Lesson 9 A Dill Pickle He was self-centered, not interested in what Vera said, nor encouraged her to talk about herself.Detailed AnalysisLesson 9 A Dill Pickle Para. 26 She broke in: Youve really been to R

27、ussia? Vera was very eager to know about his life in the past six years. It showed she was considerate, and cared about him. They both broke in but for opposite reasons.The same?Detailed Analysis9. Para 31:“As he spoke, she felt the strange beast that had slumbered so long within her bosom stir, str

28、etch itself, yawn, prick up its ears, and suddenly bound to its feet, and fix its longing, hungry stare upon those far away places.”Question： What might this “strange beast” be? The strange beast: It probably refers to her long-cherished wish to travel to all those distant and mysterious places. It

29、had been hidden deep in her heart for quite a long time because it was impossible for her to realize it given her financial and health conditions. But now, this old wish seemed to be suddenly awakened. It may not be far-fetched either if we regard it as symbolic of her buried affections for the man.

30、Detailed Analysis9. Para 40: “He let it go at that.” (He did not pursue the matter, showing once again how self-centered he was. Under normal circumstances, a man would be dying to know what had happened to the woman that forced her to give up her beloved piano.)10. Para. 52 :“ I had to take such a

31、leap back to that time.” Question： What does it imply? I had ceased to cherish that memory. I had forgotten you long ago.11. Para. 52 :”“ although at the time that letter nearly finished my life. I found and I couldnt help laughing as I read it.” (To write such a break-up letter was very difficult f

32、or Vera. The letter reminded them of the heart-broken feeling and it finished both the man and the woman. But he trivialized the letter, and even mocked the letter, which hurt Vera deeply.)Detailed Analysis12. Para 53: “She had buttoned her collar again and drawn down her vein. ”Question: Why did Ve

33、ra decide to go? She was hurt. Proofs:(1) “It seems ages ago” (actually only 6 years): what the man said shows that he had forgotten everything about their past love.(2) “I had to take such a leap to that time”: he had ceased to cherish that memory.(3) “I couldnt help laughing as I read it”: he didn

34、t take the letter (i.e. their relationship) seriously.Lesson 9 A Dill PickleCharacter AnalysisVeras changeThe mans changeLesson 9 A Dill PickleSix years ago beautifulhappy Six years later poor, less better off,in poor healthCharacter Analysis: Veras changePhysical Changes：Lesson 9 A Dill PickleSix y

35、ears agonothing to worry aboutsuppressing her dream and desire, longing, aspiration (together with the man) Six years laterfragile (ill not so well)fragile but strong-willed (for the fact that she resisted the temptation)too romantic (she focused too much on spiritual life)Character Analysis: Veras

36、changeSpiritual Changes：Six years agobelonging to the leisure class well-educated (she used to know a lot of flowers, Para. 13) Six years laterstill well-educated, middle- class, but now in a very difficult situationsensitive and tolerant (because she was very considerate and sensitive to others fee

37、lings, not willing to hurt others) feminist: a spirit of sacrifice (If she couldnt gain spiritual satisfaction, she would give up.) Lesson 9 A Dill PickleLesson 9 A Dill PickleSix years agoSix years laterShe never told the man why she left him. She wanted the man to feel her desire rather than tell

38、him. That just created such trouble: She wanted this, but the man was insensitive.One point she kept for 6 yearsCharacter Analysis: Veras changeLesson 9 A Dill PickleSix years agoSix years laterChange in appearanceyoung, handsome, good-lookingstill very sweet, far better looking (material looking, w

39、ell-dressed, admirable clothes)Change in financial status poorfinancially secure (he made money), well-traveled, quite experiencedCharacter Analysis: The mans changeLesson 9 A Dill PickleSix years agoSix years laterChange in experienceyoung, unpractical, out of all proportion to the occasionattracti

40、ve, experienced, mature, very sophisticated, confident (behaving with an air of man)Change in careervague about future and life, dreamy, indecisive.He had not then found his career.successful, having established his reputationSix years agoSix years laterUnchanged personalityself-centered, insensitiv

41、e, talkative, conceited, inconsiderateWhat they have in common:interest in music, traveling and loneliness (both were lonely)Lesson 9 A Dill PickleWhat do they have in common?Lesson 9 A Dill Pickle Cucumber reserved in salty and spicy water with such ingredients as pepper, garlic, dill and vinegar.

42、Dill pickle In Russia, it is eaten with hamburger as an appetizer. Why “ A Dill Pickle”? 1. Question: How does a dill pickle taste?(A dill pickle tastes sour, spicy, bitter and sweet.)Implication: It symbolizes the feeling of Vera, a mixture of flavors.It may also refer to the whole encounter of the

43、 woman. Veras life is very dull. So the meeting serves as an appetizer just as a stone is thrown into the motionless water and stirs up various desires to break the dull life of Vera. On the whole, a dill pickle appeals to you with attractive colors: greenish jar, red chili. But once you open the ja

44、r, one is enough and you wont finish the whole jar, which implies that the meeting will not bring Vera full satisfaction. Lesson 9 A Dill PickleTo be continued on the next page. (After you tasted dill pickles, you wouldnt enjoy them very much, because they are not a luxury. They only serve as appeti

45、zer. You would not use them as a main course.) 2. Question: After you tasted dill pickles, would you enjoy them a lot?Implication: In his life, Vera is just an appetizer, not a main course, meaning she is not a person that the man would like to spend the whole life with. She only makes his dull life

46、 a little colorful. Symbolism is an object, sign, or image that is used to stand for something else. Symbolism can add to the inherent meaning of a variety of texts, from music to movies to novels. It creates an even deeper meaning than found in surface reading. In following the tendencies of most M

47、odernist writers, everyday objects in this story carry a great deal of significance in piecing together the overall meaning.Lesson 9 A Dill PickleSymbolismTo be continued on the next page.Paper daffodils Also called narcissus. In Greek mythology, Narcissus (/nrsss/ was renowned for his beauty. He wa

48、s the son of a river god named Cephissus and a nymph named Liriope.1 He was exceptionally proud, in that he disdained those who loved him. Nemesis nimisis 复仇女神noticed this behavior and attracted Narcissus to a pool, where he saw his own reflection in the water and fell in love with it, not realizing

49、 it was merely an image. Unable to leave the beauty of his reflection, Narcissus died. Narcissus is the origin of the term narcissism, a fixation with oneself.SymbolismVeras glove He looked more like 6 years ago when he did not know how to hold Vera backhe held the wrong thing, for glove was not str

50、ong enough to keep her. Now he still did not know how to do it and he tried to clutch the wrong thing, too.The strange beastn Para. 31: Her strong long-cherished desire to travel to all those distant and mysterious places had been hidden deep in her heart for quite a long time because it was impossi

51、ble for her to realize it given her financial and health conditions. But now this old wish seemed to be suddenly awakened.n Para 59: Her long-buried love for the man seemed to wake up again. SymbolismAuthorBackgroundKatherine Mansfield (1888-1923) rebellious, dangerously witty, and lonely creative y

52、ears burdened with loneliness, illness, jealousy and alienation: bitter depiction of marital and family relationships died of TBthe “romantic disease”Her LifeAuthorBackgroundHer Works In a German Pension (1911) The Garden Party: and Other Stories (1922) The Doves Nest: and Other Stories (1923) Bliss

53、: and Other Stories (1923) Stream of consciousness Characters psychological activities with detailed descriptions and symbolism AuthorBackgroundHer Influence Revolutionized the English short story; Marked the maturity of English short story; Was often compared to Dickens and Chekhov.1. Womens condit

54、ion at the time: Women were advocated to cultivate such qualities as “tenderness of understanding, unworldliness and innocence, domestic affection, and above all, submissiveness in various degrees.” 2. “The Woman Question”: rising wave of feminist movement (late Victorian age to the early 20th century)HistoryBackgroundQuestions for thinking:Do you think t