5.8 Why Nothing Works.doc

A New English Course (5) Lecture Notes Unit 8: Why Nothing Works 厦门大学外文学院高年级教研室Unit 8Text 1 Why Nothing Works. Learning objectives1. Learn to use exemplification, illustration and contrast in expository writing.2. Learn to develop a topic through a causal analysis. Warm-up questions1. Whats the issue being discussed in the present text? Do you think the issue relevant to us or not? 2. Have you ever bought something, like a fountain pen, a cassette recorder, or a watch, which broke down or went out of order shortly after use. Were you frustrated by this, feeling that youd been cheated? Who did you normally blame for this? What did you think are the causes for such problem?3. What do people usually think are the factors related to good quality in products? What do they think are the causes for shoddy goods? How does the author of the present text think differently? 4. Regarding the problem of shoddy goods, what factors are specified by the author? Which factor does he regard as primary, human or technology? Why? Do you agree with him? 5. What is the message that the author intends to get across to us? Can you find the message explicitly stated in text? What do you think is the thesis statement of the text? 6. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the authors argument? . Relevant information1. The authorMarvin Harris teaches anthropology at the University of Florida. He writes about American life from the point of view of the anthropologist in Cannibals and Kings(1977)and America Now (1981), from which the text is taken2. Murphys Law (墨菲法则:一种认为凡有可能出差错的事终将出差错的俏皮法则)This is a humorous maxim，declaring that in general, if anything can go wrong, it will. The law originated in 1949 with Captain ED Murphy, an aircraft engineer. Referring to a technician, he said, “if there is any way to do it wrong, he will.” The project manager, George E. Nichols, assigned the name “Murphys Law” to that and similar statement. Additional forms of Murphys Law include:n “Nothing is as easy as it looks.”n “Everything takes longer than you think it will.”n “To know yourself is the ultimate aggression.”(意为:战胜别人容易，而知道自己、认识自己，敢于面对现实，敢于跟自己过不去，才会克服自身的弱点，才是大勇。)n “Friends come and go, but enemies accumulate.”（“朋友有来有去，仇人则有增无减” ，意即：交友不易，能够持久的朋友更难，但仇人容易累积，易结不易解）n “If youre feeling good, dont worry, youll soon get over it.”（“如果你自己觉得很得意，别忙，你的感觉很快就会成为过去。”即应宠辱不惊）n “A short cut is the longest distance between two points.”（“抄近路是两点之间最长的距离”。看人家喜欢抄近路，走小路，省不少时间，但有时在比较陌生的地方，反而会迷路，绕来绕去走许多冤枉路）n “The other line always moves faster.”（“排队时另一条永远走得快些。” 去邮局、机场、超市付帐，你挑了最短的一条排，偏偏打头的那位慢条斯理，折腾了半天，毫不动弹。你看准隔壁那条动得快，于是一个箭步移过去，想不到等到你附上队尾，这一条又是寸步难移。）n “All warranties expire up on payment of invoice.”（等到货品的价钱付清，所有保单的期限也过了）n “You will always find something in the last place you look.（走便天涯无觅处，寻来全不费工夫）”3. Pomo Indians and their basketryThe Pomo Indians belong to a North American Indian tribe that forms the second largest tribal group in California, U.S.A. The name “Pomo” comes from a suffix that the Pomo people add to many words in their language. The Pomo womens fine basketry is the artistic triumph of the people. Pomo basketry include small masterpieces as well as large, colorfully decorated containers, and is considered among the worlds finest. 4. The Eskimo skin boat.In the summer, Eskimos used two kinds of boats for hunting and travel. 1) the kayak was decked over except for a manhole that accommodated one person. Such craft had frames made of pieces of driftwood bound together. The frames were covered with sealskins sewn with waterproof stitching. 2) the umiak was a large, open boat made by covering a driftwood frame with split walrus hides or sealskins. Organization of the text(I) Causal analysis and the use of expository means The author starts with a reference to Murphys Law and then quickly guides his reader towards “the shoddy goods problem”, which he proceeds to define as “a Murphys Law effect”. After stating that although Murphys Law can never be wholly defeated, its effects can usually be postponed, the author makes it clear that the cause of shoddy goods is basically human rather than technological. Then, in the rest of the article, he looks at what made the artifacts of primitive cultures so reliable in quality, when the technological conditions at the time were so underdeveloped. It is exactly the factor of human commitment, rather than the technological advancement, that guarantees the reliability of products. Unfortunately, such “human imput” is usually in short supply in the present era of mass production in a climate of profit pursuit. And this is the fundamental cause of shoddy products in modern industrialized society.In order to explain his idea clearly, the author has resorted to some expository means, such as exemplification and contrast. 1. Exemplification: Using examples such as1) “the artifacts used by simple pre-industrial societies” to illustrate that technology is NOT the primary factor in product quality.2) “the Pomo Indian basket and the Eskimo skin boat”: to illustrate that it is the intimate, permanent and caring relationship between the producer and the consumer that actually counts in connection with qualityTo illustrate his point, the author follows a step-by-step order. (Pomo Indian basketEskimo skin boat spears, bows, arrows, carrying nets, etc. pottery-making, canoe-building, etc.)which makes it easier for the reader to follow the authors flow of thoughts. 2. Contrast: Contrasting the material culture with the alienation of modern industrial society.(II) An outline of the structure Section I: Raising the topic and making thesis statement Para 1 The author raises the topic of shoddy goods problem by referring to Murphys law and the inference from it, thus leading to the argument of whether technology or human imput plays a decisive role in quality control. The authors assertion is explicitly stated in the last sentence of this paragraph, serving as the thesis statement of the article. Section II: Supporting the thesis statement by exemplification and contrasts Para 2- 51. Exemplifying with the artifacts made by prehistoric and preindustrial people to refute the notion that “quality is determined by technology.” (para 2)2. Exemplifying with the Pomo Indian basket and the Eskimo skin boat to assert that it is the intimate, permanent and caring relationship between the producer and the consumer that guarantees the reliability of a product. (para 3-4)3. Contrasting the intimate relationship between the producer and the consumer in the primitive cultures with the alienation that characterized the producer-consumer relationship at all strata in administration in modern society, to further support his assertion that “human imput” is most decisive in quality control mechanisms. VI. Language points1. attribute to : being the result of / coming from (cf. attribute as a noun)- This song is usually attributed to Bach. 这首歌通常被认为是巴和所作。- Susan attributes her success to hard work. 2. fall apart: 1) break in pieces, 2) to end in failure; 3) to separate a relationship - The cup just falls apart in my hand- With all these increasing costs, the business could fall apart. - Their marriage seems to be falling apart.- We used to be friends, but fell apart about a year ago. 3. savant: a man of learning, especially a person with detailed knowledge in some specialized field.4. corollary(formal): an immediate inference from a proved proposition; natural consequence or result; e.g.- the corollary to sb.s argument 对某人论据推断的结果- Neither of them knew about it, and the corollary of that is that someone else revealed the secret.他们两人并不知道这回事, 因此一定是另外有人泄露了秘密。 5. elapse: (time)passing, (fml)- Three months has elapsed since he left home. 6. forestall: defeat, prevent by prior measures e.g. - forestall a competitor/a rival 抢在竞争者/对手之前行动- I had my objections all prepared, but Stephens forestalled me.我已做好准备要提出反对意见，不料斯蒂芬却抢先一步。- He forestalled the anticipated criticism by confusing his faults of his own accord.- She forestalled my question by bring up the subject herself. - I meant to meet my friend at the station, but he forestalled me by arriving on an earlier train. - In 1938, Australia decided to stop sending pig-iron to Japan to forestall the increased unrest at home.7. commitment (to): a pledge to follow certain beliefs or a certain course of action ; devotion (to duty etc.) syn. devotion; dedication, e.g- Im overworked at the moment - Ive taken on too many commitments.我目前劳累过度-应承的事情太多了。- commit (to) v. :to promise to a certain cause, position, or course of action- Im committed to taking part in the meeting. 我答应参加这个会议- committed a. e.g. non-committed 不承担义务的，不表态的8. so much the better/worse: that is even better/worse; e.g.- The result is not very important to us, but if we do win, so much the better. 输赢对我们并不十分重要，但假如我们真赢了，那就更好了。9. gadget: small device,e.g.- The kitchen is fitted with various labor-saving gadgets. 这厨房有种种节省劳力的装置。10. do the trick（colloquial）: accomplish ones purpose e.g.- I took four sleeping pills but even that wouldnt do the trick. - I need a piece of paper. This old envelope will do the trick. 11. subject to: be governed by, obliged to obey sth. under the authority of sth.- We are subject to the law of the land. 我们必须遵守当地的法律。12. artifact: a usually small object showing human workmanship that has special historical interest. Compare: - artifice U skill; 技术 C skillful way of doing something 策略，手段13. dispel: drive away: e.g. to dispel doubts/fears/misgiving- to dispel doubts / fears/ misgivings - His calm words dispels our fears. - The wind soon dispels the fog. 14. breed: kind or variety (of animals etc.)with hereditary qualities- new breed of grain/rice- the new breed of little girls15. seaworthy：(of a ship) in a fit state for a sea voyage（指船）适于航海的,e.g.- make a damaged ship seaworthy again使损坏的船能再度出海16. evoke: bring to mind (a feeling, memory, etc.) e.g.- to evoke admiration /surprise/memories - This place evokes memories of my happy childhood. 这地方使我回忆起欢乐的童年。17. kin: (collectively), family relation. - near kin 近亲 （closely related）- next of kin 最近的亲戚18. projectile point: the tip of a weapon that is thrust forward ;spear or arrow head - a projectile missile /torpedo 飞弹/ 鱼雷19. fashion: design or make esp. by hand, e.g. - to fashion a whistle out of a piece of wood用一块木头做成一个哨子- to fashion some leaves into a hat用一些叶子编成一顶帽子- to fashion a lump of clay into a bowl - Robinson fashioned a canoe out of a tree trunk .20. barter: trade by exchanging one commodity for another. - to barter with sb. for sth. ; - to barter wheat for machinery- to barter away ones rights/freedom, honor为某种利益而出卖自己的利益.21. fall off : to come off by falling.- My top button has fallen off. (adv.)- A button has fallen off my coat. (prepP- When you are learning to ride a bicycle, you often fall off.- The child has fallen off the bicycle again. 22. the state of the art: the level of development reached at any particular time, usually as a result of modern methods; e.g.- the state of the art of forecasting weather 当前天气预报的水平; - be beyond the state of the art超越当前水平23 care about: be interested in sth. ; be worried by; like- I dont care bout what you think - Dont you care about losing your job?- I really care about the students in my class 24. bond: something that joins or unites; e.g. - Children often become the bond of affection between husbands and wives. - Common tastes form a bond between the two men. 25. wither away: to cease gradually to exist or be worthwhile - Older people are complaining that the traditional values are withering away in this free society. 26. alienation: a withdrawing or separation of a person from an object or position of former attachment; a feeling of not belonging to or being part of ones surroundings. . - His criminal activities led to complete alienation from his family. 他的犯罪活动导致了他与家庭完全脱离关系。 alienate v. cause sb. to become unfriendly or indifferent; estrange - The Prime Ministers policy alienated many of her followers. 首相的政策使很多拥护她的人疏远了她。VII. Difficult sentences (paraphrase)1. “much of human existence consists of efforts aimed at making sure that things dont go wrong, manufacture” : i.e. People spend much of their lifetime trying hard to keep things in good shape. They think a product, after leaving its factory, should last at least for a reasonably long period before ceasing to work.2.“but gadgets and sampling alone will never do the trick since these items are also subject to Murphys Law. ” : i.e. Quality control instruments and testing devices are also governed by Murphys Law, so they may break down and are therefore not altogether reliable. 3.“ a single visit to a museum which displays artifacts. dispel the notion that quality is dependent on technology”: i.e. Look at the artifacts of the pre-industrial era exhibited in a museum and you will see that technology is not the factor that decides the quality of these items.4.“in unskilled or uncaring hands a handmade basket or boat can fall apart as quickly baskets or boats made by machines.”: i.e. If a handmade basket or boat is made by an inexperienced or irresponsible worker, it may break down as easily as machine-made ones. 5.“ I rather think the reason we honorbetween producer and consumer”: i.e. My opinion is that it is the social relationship between producer and consumer rather than the technological relationship between producer and product that makes “handmade “ items so highly regarded. . Class discussion1. Do you think Murphys Law has a role to play in present-day China? Give examples to support your point. 2. Do you think that the market everywhere in China is rife with fake or shoddy goods? How would you account for this sad reality? What suggestions can you make to address this problem?IX. AssignmentWrite an essay on one of the following topics, using causal analysis and examples to develop your thesis.A. Cheating in examsB. Discipline in study habits.Text The Plot Against PeopleI. learning objectives1. Learn to use classification as an expository means. 2. Appreciate the humorous tone in the essay, and learn to use such devices as exaggeration and incongruity to achieve humorous effects in writing. Comprehension questions 1. What are inanimate objects? Illustrate with some examples.2. How do you classify such objects? How does the author classify them? Where lies the difference?3. What are the three categories of things classified by the author? On what basis (with what criterion) does the author classify them?4. Whats the object that the author singles out as the most typical of Category I? Do you think the objects listed by the author justifiable as typical examples?5. Are you amused when reading the text? How would you describe the tone of the author? What are the places in the text that actually made you laugh? 6. What would a writer normally do if he intends to be humorous? What are the common devices to achieve a humorous effect in writing? Can you find such devices being employed by the present author? Cite examples of humorous expressions. 7. Have you ever been irritated by the “tricks” played by the inanimate objects? Can you tell your experience by using a humorous tone? . Organization and development of the text1. Opening: Classification of three categories of inanimate objects - Para 1i. those that break downii. those that get lostiii. those that dont work.2. Illustrating Category I - Para. 2- 4 Automobiles as the most typical, others including washing machines, lawn mowers, furnaces, TV sets, tape re