中国智慧-文化面面观 课件 UNIT 7 Chinese Festivals and Heroes

ChineseFestivalsandHeroesUNIT7LearningObjectivesGiveaspeechonminority’sfestivalLearnaboutexpressionsonChineseFestivals1Talkaboutlocalbeliefandlegend23QuotationsLiveeverydayasifitisafestival.Turnyourlifeintoacelebration.--ShriRadheMaa

TextWords&ExpressionsQuotationsUnderstanding

thetextLanguageExercisesReadingQuotationsAfterplayinglady's-maidtothenewcomer,andputtingmycakesintheoven,andmakingthehouseandkitchencheerfulwithgreatfires,befittingChristmaseve,Ipreparedtositdownandamusemyselfbysingingcarols,allalone;regardlessofJoseph'saffirmationsthatheconsideredthemerrytunesIchoseasnextdoortosongs.--EmilyBrontëTextWords&ExpressionsQuotationsUnderstanding

thetextLanguageExercisesReadingLocalCustomandBelief

TextWords&ExpressionsQuotationsUnderstanding

thetextLanguageExercisesReadingInadditiontothemajorfestivalscelebratedthroughoutChina,suchasChineseNewYear,theLanternFestival,theQingming(TombSweeping)Festival,andtheWinterSolstice,therearealsonumerousfestivalsthatshowcasetheuniqueculturesandtraditionsofdifferentregions.Thisarticlewillexploretwosuchfestivals-theMazuFestivalandtheWuFanFestival-andprovideinsightsintothelocalcustoms,delicacies,andactivitiesthatarepartofthesecelebrations.FujianprovinceandTaiwanIslandareknownfortheirfishingcommunities,whobravetheopenseaeverydayinsearchoftheirlivelihood.Toprotectthemduringtheirvoyages,thefishermencreatedaseagoddessknownas“Mazu,”whoisalsoreferredtoasthe“QueenofHeaven,”“PrincessofHeaven,”and“VirginofHeaven.”MazuwasbasedonarealwomanwhowasbornonMeizhouIslandinPutianCity,Fujianin960AD.HercompassionandcourageinrescuingsailorsfromshipwrecksearnedherthereputationofbeingtheGoddessoftheSea.Tohonorher,fishermencelebrateherbirthdayonMarch23rdofthelunarcalendarandherdeathdayonSeptember9thofthelunarcalendar,whicharecollectivelyknownasthe“MazuFestival.”Duringthisfestival,fishermenofferprayersandmakeofferingsatMazutemples,participateinculturaldiscussionsandhandicraftexhibitions,watchfolksongsanddances,andindulgeintheflavorsofFujiancuisine.ThelegendofMazu,theseagoddess,isbothmagicalandtouching.Accordingtothetale,MazuwasborninPutian,FujianProvinceduringtheearlyNorthernSongDynasty.Herfather,knownas“Linwell-doer,”wasanhonestandkindman.WhenMazu’smotherwaspregnantwithher,shehadadreaminwhichGuanyinBodhisattvagaveherapill.Afterswallowingthepill,adazzlingredlightshoneintotheroom.Afewdayslater,shegavebirthtoalittlegirlwhonevercried.Thus,herparentsnamedher“MoNiang,”whichmeans“silentgirl.”MoNiangwasabeautifulandintelligentchild,whoexcelledinreadingandhadakindheart.Shesawthatmanyfishermenwerelivinginhardshipandthatplaguesweredestroyingtheirfamilies.Shesaidtoherparents,“Iamdeterminedtolearnmedicinetosavetheafflicted.”And,shedidjustthat.Withherexcellentmedicalskills,MoNiangsavedmanyfishermenandgainedgreatrespectandhighreputation.Oneday,MoNiangandsomegirlswereplayinginthecourtyardnearanancientwell.Thewell’swaterwasasclearasamirror.Whiletheywereplaying,theysawamanrisingoutofthewell.Theothergirlswerescaredandranaway,butMoNiangkneltquietlytoworshipthedivineman.ThedivinemanstaredatMoNiangforawhile,gaveheracopperamulet,andheroseintothecolorfulclouds.Fromthatmoment,MoNiangbecameanimmortal.Shetravelsaroundthesea,oftenhelpingpeopleandfishermenindistress.Sometimeafter,localfishermenbuiltatempleonMeizhouIsland,herhometown,andsetthedaysofherbirthanddeathastheanniversary.Peoplerespectfullycallher“Tongxianlingnv,”meaning“spiritgirlthatcanreachgreatsage,”andgenerallyrefertoheras“Mazu.”ThesemythsandlegendsrevealthedeepreverenceandfaiththatfishermenhaveforMazu.DuringtheYuanDynasty,thedevelopmentofmaritimetradeledtomoreelaborateceremoniesandtheconstructionofMazutemplesnearthesea.Intimesoftrouble,fishermenwouldcallouttoMazuforprotection,andevenperformplaystohonorthegoddessandseekherblessings.TheimageofMazuisoneofbenevolence,withacrownonherheadandwearninganimperialrobe.DuringtheMazuFestival,elderlywomendressintraditionalclothing,WiththeirhairinaflatbunandcladinredclothesandblackpantsinthestyleofMazu.ThereasonforthisissaidthatMazuworethesamewhensheascendedtoheaven.DevoteesburnincenseandmakepilgrimagestoMazutemples,andfishermendonredclotheswithblackclouds,carryingcolorfulsedansforthegoddess,settingofffirecrackersandlightingupthenightwithlights.PutianCityinFujianProvinceisthebirthplaceofMazuandthesiteoftheearliestMazutemple.In1987,PutianCityhostedthe“MazuMillenniumFestival”whichattractedover100,000attendeesfromhomeandabroad.InMay1989,theQueenofHeavenTempleinNanfangao,IlanCounty,Taiwanorganizedagroupof225Taiwancompatriotsand20shipstosaildirectlytoMeizhou,markingthefirstdirectnavigationbetweenthetwosidesoftheTaiwanStraitaftera40-yearclosure.Mazu,agoddessreveredbymorethan200millionfollowersworldwide,hasinspiredtheconstructionoftemplesinvariouscountries,includingFujian,Taiwan,SoutheastAsia,andHonolulu.Taiwanalonehasover800Mazutemples,withmorethantwo-thirdsofitspopulationpracticingthefaith.Mazuworshipersworldwidehonorherthroughfestivals,rituals,andofferings,astheyseektoconnectwiththeirroots.WhiletheMazuFestivalhasawideinfluence,theWuFanFestivalisonlycelebratedincertainethnicminorityregionsinsouthernandsouthwesternChina.HeldonthethirddayofthelunarMarcheveryyear,itisatraditionalfestivalwithalonghistory,wherepeopleeatWuFanTuan(blackriceballs).OneofthemostfamouslegendsbehindthefestivalisthatitcommemoratesthevictoryoftheShepeople’snationalheroesintheirstruggleagainstthereactionaryrulingclass.Accordingtothelegend,duringtheTangDynasty,LeiWanxing,aherooftheShenationality,ledtheShearmytoresistthecorruptgovernment.Besiegedinthemountainsandforestsbytheimperialarmy,LeiWanxing’sShearmylostforeignaidandwascutofffromfoodandsupplies.Inlateautumn,withmosttreesinthemountainsfruitless,thesoldiersfoundonlyonekindoftreecalledWuren.Althoughitsleaveshadfallen,stringsoffruitslikepearlsstillhungonitsbranches.Thesoldierspickedthemandtookthembacktothecamp.LeiWanxingtastedthewildfruitandfounditsweetanddelicious.Heorderedhisarmytocollectthefruitstosatisfytheirhunger,andwiththeproblemoffoodshortagesolved,wentontoachievefinalvictoryagainstthecorruptedgovernment.Yearslater,onthethirddayoflunarMarch,LeiWanxingwantedtoeatWurenfruitbutitwasonlyspring,andtheWurentreehadonlygreenleaves–butnosweetfruit.So,ThevillagerspickedtheleavesoftheWurentreeandcookedthemwithglutinousrice.Theresultingdishwasblackincolorandhadastrongaroma,whichgreatlystimulatedLeiWanxing’sappetite.HewaspleasedandorderedhisShearmytocook“blackrice”onthisdayeveryyeartoremembertheirstruggleandsubsequentvictory.TocommemoratethevictoryoftheShearmyledbyLeiWanxingagainstthecorruptedgovernment,theShepeoplegoonan“outing”tocollectWurenleavesandcookWuFanathomeonthethirddayofthethirdlunarmontheveryyear.ThiscustomhasbeenpasseddownthroughthegenerationsandhasturnedintoafestivaloftheShenationality.Nowadays,ShepeopleallovertheworldcelebratethefestivalbycookingWuFan,sharingmealswiththeirfamilies,andgivinggiftstorelativesandfriends.Manyactivitiesareheldtocelebratethefestival,includingdancingpartiesandsinginginantiphonalstyle.Inrecentyears,thecelebrationofthisancientfestivalhasbecomemoreenthusiasticandcolorful.ThepreparationmethodforWuFaninvolvesselectingtheoldbranchesandleavesoftheWurentree,mashingthefreshones,pouringtheresultingblackleafjuiceintoabox,soakinganappropriateamountofglutinousriceinthejuiceuntilthericeturnslightblack,andthenmakingthericeintoblackriceballs,whichcanbesteamedinapot.Modernversionsofblackriceballsoftencontaindicedporkorduck,seasoning,andstarchtomakestuffingforthericeballs.Somepeopleevenmakedifferentvarietiesofriceballs,suchaspineappleblackriceballs.Despitetheirdarkandshinyappearance,thesefragrantblackriceballsaredeliciousandleavealastingimpression.Itisnotonlyafamousrecipeandrepresentsadishoflocalspecialtiesbutalsoaculturalheritagewithalonghistory.TextWords&ExpressionsQuotationscompassion:n.astrongfeelingofsympathyforsomeonewhoissuffering,andadesiretohelpthemcompassionforcompassionforthesickfeel/show/havecompassionDidhefeelanycompassionforthevictimofhiscrime?magical:adj.veryenjoyable,exciting,orromantic,inastrangeorspecialway魔法的e.g.Somepeoplethinkgarlichasmagicalpowers.Understanding

thetextLanguageExercisesReadingTextWords&ExpressionsQuotationsdazzle:v.ifaverybrightlightdazzlesyou,itstopsyoufromseeingproperlyforashorttime.使目眩e.g.Sheslowlyopenedhereyes,onlytobedazzledbyastrongshaftofsunlight.afflict:v.toaffectsomeoneorsomethinginanunpleasantway,andmakethemsuffer折磨beafflictedwith/bysomethinge.g.Manyareafflictedbyalcoholism,drugaddiction,anddepression.Understanding

thetextLanguageExercisesReadingTextWords&ExpressionsQuotationsimmortal:adj.livingorcontinuingforever不死的e.g.Platobelievedthatthesoulisimmortal.distress:n.afeelingofextremeunhappiness;sufferingandproblemscausedbyalackofmoney,foodetc.忧虑e.g.Thegirlwascryingandclearlyindistress.Understanding

thetextLanguageExercisesReadingTextWords&ExpressionsQuotationselaborate:adj.havingalotofsmallpartsordetailsputtogetherinacomplicatedway精心制作的e.g.Shehadpreparedanelaborateexcuseforherabsence.construction:n.theprocessofbuildingthingssuchashouses,bridges,roadsetc.建设e.g.Thecompanyisdevelopingseveralnewconstructiontechniques.Understanding

thetextLanguageExercisesReadingTextWords&ExpressionsQuotationsascend:v.toclimbsomethingormovetoahigherposition上升e.g.Withoutaword,hebegantoascendthestairs.devotee:n.someonewhoenjoysoradmiressomeoneorsomethingverymuch信徒e.g.He'sadevoteeofoldHollywoodmovies.Understanding

thetextLanguageExercisesReadingTextWords&ExpressionsQuotationsnavigation:n.thescienceorjobofplanningwhichwayyouneedtogowhenyouaretravellingfromoneplacetoanother;whensomeonesailsashipalongariverorotherareaofwater航海e.g.There'samedicalofficer,anavigationofficer,acommunicationsofficer.revere:v.formaltorespectandadmiresomeoneorsomethingverymuch崇敬e.g.Heisreveredasanationalhero.Understanding

thetextLanguageExercisesReadingTextWords&ExpressionsQuotationscommemorate:v.todosomethingtoshowthatyourememberandrespectsomeoneimportantoranimportanteventinthepast纪念e.g.Whenafamouscitizendied,hewascommemoratedbyastatueoraplaque.reactionary:adj.verystronglyopposedtoanysocialorpoliticalchange反动的e.g.Reactionarypoliticiansvotedagainsttheproposal.Understanding

thetextLanguageExercisesReadingTextWords&ExpressionsQuotationsbesiege:v.tosurroundacityorcastlewithmilitaryforceuntilthepeopleinsideletyoutakecontrol;ifyouarebesiegedbypeople,youhavealotofthemaroundyou.包围e.g.InApril655,Osman’spalacewasbesiegedbyrebels.stimulate:v.toencouragesomeonebymakingthemexcitedaboutandinterestedinsomething;tomakeaplantorpartofthebodybecomeactiveorstronger促进stimulategrowth/demand/theeconomyetce.g.thepresident’splantostimulateeconomicgrowthe.g.Taxisapowerfulmechanismforstimulatingchange.Understanding

thetextLanguageExercisesReadingTextWords&ExpressionsQuotationsReadingthetextanddecidewhetherthefollowingstatementsaretrue(T)orfalse(F).1.Mazu,theseagoddess,wascreatedbasedonarealwomanatMeizhouIsland,PutianCity,becausesheoftentriesherbesttoprotectshipsandsavepeoplefromshipwrecks.2.Mazu’sbirthdayisonSeptember9thofthelunarcalendar,andherdeathday,March23rd.3.Mazu’smothergavebirthtoheraftersheswallowedapeachgivenbyGuanyinBodhisattva.4.LittleMoNiangdeterminedtolearnmedicinetocureherparents’illness.5.TheworshipofMazushowsthefishermen’sdesireforpeaceandtheblessingofgods.6.Accordingtorelevantstatistics,followersofMazuaremostChineselivinginFujian,Taiwan,SoutheastAsia,Honoluluandsoon.7.WuFanFestivalisonlycelebratedbyShenationalityinthenorthandthenorthwestofChina.8.WuFaniscookedwiththeleavesofWurentreeandglutinousrice.9.WuFanFestivaliscelebratedonthethirddayofthethirdlunarmontheveryyear.UnderstandingthetextLanguageExercisesReadingTFFFTTFTTTextWords&ExpressionsQuotationsII.Givebriefanswertothefollowingquestions.PleasechooseoneofthethreemajorgoddessesinFujianProvince,GoddessMazu,GoddessChenJingguandGoddessMaxian,andgiveabriefintroductiontotheclass.Doyouknowanysimilarlocalbeliefandlegend?Pleasesharewithyourpartner.Pleasedoresearchononeminority’sfestivalandsharetotheclass.UnderstandingthetextLanguageExercisesReadingTextWords&ExpressionsQuotationsI.TranslatethefollowingparagraphintoEnglish.Understanding

thetextLanguageExercisesReading问题是，中国为何在经历了周期性的政治灾难后仍能幸存下来，而不是像古罗马被伦巴底人征服那样被吞没？这种种族的耐力和吸收外族血液的能力到底从何而来？只有深入研究这些问题，我们才能真正理解中国今天的情况。所谓的种族耐力和种族活力，尽管受到中国资产阶级退化性质的影响，但还是使中国人民能够在政治灾难中生存下来，并通过吸收外族血液而获重生。这种耐力和活力，部分是体质的，部分是文化的。

ThequestionremainshowitwaspossibleforChinatosurvivetheseperiodicpoliticaldisastersandnotbesubmergedbythem,asoldRomewassubmergedundertheLombards.Whereindoesthatracialstaminaandcapacityforabsorbingforeignbloodconsist?OnlybygoingdeeperintotheseproblemscanonegainarealunderstandingofthesituationasChinastandstoday.Theso-calledracialstaminaandracialvitality,whichinspiteoftheretrogradecharacteroftheChinesebourgeoisclassenabledtheChinesepeopletosurvivepoliticaldisastersandregenerateitselfthroughforeignblood,ispartlyconstitutionalandpartlycultural.TextWords&ExpressionsQuotationsI.TranslatethefollowingparagraphintoEnglish.Understanding

thetextLanguageExercisesReading而促进种族稳定的文化力量之一首先就是中国的家族制度。这种制度有明确的定义和组织，使得人们不可能忘记自己的血统。这种不朽的社会形式，是中国人最为看重的，比其他任何世俗的财产都珍贵，甚至具有某种宗教色彩，并通过祭祖仪式得到加强。这种意识已经深入中国人的灵魂。AmongtheculturalforcesmakingforracialstabilitymustbecountedfirstofalltheChinesefamilysystem,whichwaswell-definedandorganizedastomakeitimpossibleforamantoforgetwherehislineagebelonged.Thisformofsocialimmortality,whichtheChineseprizeaboveallearthlypossessions,hassomethingofthecharacterofareligion,whichisenhancedbytheritualofancestorworship,andtheconsciousnessofithaspenetrateddeepintotheChinesesoul.TextWords&ExpressionsQuotationsI.TranslatethefollowingparagraphintoEnglish.Understanding

thetextLanguageExercisesReading当中国人与家庭意识不太明确的外国人接触时，这样一个组织良好而颇具宗教意味的家族制度，有着巨大的吸引力。野蛮部落或混血儿总是急于加入这样一个家族中，并要求成为这个不朽家族的一部分。并为这样一种想象而着迷：自己咽气的时候，并不意味着真正的死亡，而是依然活在家族生活的长河中。Suchawell-organizedandreligiouslyconceivedfamilysystemwasoftremendousforcewhentheChineseracewasthrownintocontactwithaforeignpeoplewithalesswell-definedfamilyconsciousness.Barbarictribesorchildrenofmixedparentagewerealltooanxioustojointhefamilyandclaimpartofthefamilyimmortality,indulgingintheluxuriousfeelingthatwhenonedies,onedoesnotdie,butone’sselflivesoninthegreatstreamofthefamilylife.TextWords&ExpressionsQuotationsII.Fillintheblankswiththewordsprovided,andchangetheformifnecessary.Understanding

thetextLanguageExercisesReadingcarryouttypicalspreaddevelopbeginintangibleconferoverpublicizeincludeInFujianProvince,GoddessMazu,GoddessChenJingguandGoddessMaxianareregardedasthreemajorgoddesses.GoddessMaxianisalsoknownasHeavenlyGoddessMaandYuanjunMa.Thecustom______inthemiddleoftheTangDynastyfromthesouthofZhejiangProvince,prevailedinFujianandZhejiang,andinfluencedJiangxi,Guangdong,Taiwan,HongKong,MacauandeventheSoutheastAsiafor______1300yearswithmorethan10millionbelievers.EmperorsShuzongandTaizongoftheTangDynasty,aswellasEmperorZhenzongoftheSongDynastyandEmperorYingzongoftheYuanDynasty,andEmperorZhengdeoftheMingDynastyall______hertitlesas“ProtectiveMrs.Ma”,“TrueProtectiveGoddess”,and“TrueSpiritualGoddess”began

over

confer

1TextWords&ExpressionsQuotationsII.Fillintheblankswiththewordsprovided,andchangetheformifnecessary.Understanding

thetextLanguageExercisesReadingcarryouttypicalspreaddevelopbeginintangibleconferoverpublicizeincludeandsoon.ZherongCountyhadbecomeacentraland______areaofthecustomofbeliefinGoddessMaxian.Itsbeliefactivitiesarethemost______,andthemostinfluential.AuniqueanddistinctiveGoddessMaxianCulturehasbeen______andthemosttypicalistheannualwelcomingactivitiesforGoddessMaxianinZherong.Theceremonies______welcomingGoddessMaxian,offeringsacrifice,parade,TaoistritualsandseeingoffGoddessMaxian.Duringthistimemanyfolkartisticperformancesare______foroveramonth,formingthemostsplendidfolkactivityofbeliefinGoddessMaxianaroundthebordersofFujianandZhejiang.SincethebeliefcustomwasintroducedtoZherongintheSongDynastyithasbecomeanimportantplatformspread

typicaldevelop

include

carriedout

TextWords&ExpressionsQuotationsII.Fillintheblankswiththewordsprovided,andchangetheformifnecessary.Understanding

thetextLanguageExercisesReadingcarryouttypicalspreaddevelopbeginintangibleconferoverpublicizeincludeto______filialspiritandtoprayforhealthandhappiness.Nowadays,thecustomofbeliefinGoddessMaxianinZherongCountyhasbecometheonlyfolkcustomlistedintothefourthbatchofthenational______culturalheritagesinFujianProvince.publicize

intangible

TextWords&ExpressionsQuotationsII.Fillintheblankswiththewordsprovided,andchangetheformifnecessary.Understanding

thetextLanguageExercisesReadingaswellas fallon asaying welcometobepreparedfor comeback teardown alongwith usedtobe theChineselunarcalendarAccordingcustomsinFuzhou,theKitchenGod’sDay______the24thofDecemberontheChineselunarcalendar.offeringasacrificetotheKitchenGod______aceremonyofmakinganofferingtotheGodofFireinsummer.ButtheposterityturnedthisintotheworshipoftheKitchenGodwith______thatthegodwasthe“householdenvoy”totheearthlyworldsentbytheSupremeGodofHeaven.Annually,onthe24thofDecemberon______,theKitchenGodwouldgototheheaventoreportthebehaviorofallearthlyhouseholdstotheSupremeGod.Thistripwouldtakehimtendaysandhewould______onthe4thofthefirstlunarmonthnextyear.Everyhouseholdwouldgivehimafarewelldinnerofallkindsofgoodiesbeforeheleft.Usuallychicken,duck,fish,pork,the“zaotangfallson

usedtobe

asaying

theChineselunarcalendar

comeback

2TextWords&ExpressionsQuotationsII.Fillintheblankswiththewordsprovided,andchangetheformifnecessary.Understanding

thetextLanguageExercisesReadingaswellas fallon asaying welcometobepreparedfor comeback teardown alongwith usedtobe theChineselunarcalendarandzaobing”(KitchenGod’scandiesandpastries)______goodwinesandliquorswouldbeservedatatypicalmeatdinnerwhilesugarcane,waterchestnut,dates,peanuts,drieddaylilyandwoodearsaswellasthe“zaotangandzaobing”would______avegetariandinner.Beforetheceremonywasover,peoplewould______theoldpictureoftheKitchenGod,burnitandchangeforanewone,implyinggoodbyetotheoldyearand______thenew.Beforethestartoftheceremony,grandparentswouldgivethe“zaotangandzaobing”______amaskofthemostpopularstyles,includingthoseoffiguresfromAJourneytotheWestsuchasTheTangPriest(SanZang),MonkSha,TheMonkeyKingandPigsy(ZhuBajie)totheirgrandchildren.aswellas

bepreparedfor

teardown

welcometo

alongwith

TextWords&ExpressionsQuotationsUnderstanding

thetextLanguageExercisesReadingIII.Retellthestorymentionedin“LocalCustomandBelief”.IV.SpeakonthefollowingtopicsinEnglish.PleaseintroduceoneChineseheroyouadmirethemost.ProvideyourcommentsonwhatkindofpeoplewereregardedasheroesinChinesehistoryandhowtheyweretreatedbypeople.PleasemakeacomparisonbetweenaChineseherofromhistoryandaforeignone.Analyzetheirsimilaritiesanddifferences.Discusstheimpactofheroesonsocietyandculture.Howhaveheroesinfluencedpeople’svalues,beliefs,andactions?ProvideconcreteexamplesandanalyzethelegacyofheroesinChineseandforeigncultures.TextWords&ExpressionsQuotationsUnderstanding

thetextLanguageExercisesReadingV.CriticalthinkingTobeginwith,conductathoroughstudyofFujiangoddessworship,investigatingitsoriginsandcauses,andanalyzingitsimpactonsocialandculturalpracticesintheregion.Youarealsorequiredtoprovideyourthoughtsonwhatkindofpersoncanbecomeahero,whethertheyneedtobeasupermanorsuperwoman,andwhetheranordinarypersoncanbecomeahero.Additionally,youneedtoexaminethecharacteristicsofheroesandanalysisthefactorsthatinspireheroicactioninindividuals.Finally,explorehowsocietalcontextinfluencesthedefinitionofheroism.Thecompletedassignmentshoulddemonstrateawell-researchedandnuancedunderstandingofFujiangoddessworshipanditsimpactonlivesandvalues,aswellastheconceptofheroismingeneral.Yourthoughtsshouldbesupportedwithevidenceandanalysis,examininghowordinarypeopleandextraordinaryindividualscanbecomeheroesandthefactorsthatinspirethemtoactheroically.TextWords&ExpressionsQuotationsUnderstanding

thetextLanguageExercisesReadingIntroductiontoO.Henry

O.Henry,(bornSeptember11,1862,Greensboro,NorthCarolina,U.S.—diedJune5,1910,NewYork,NewYork),Americanshort-storywriterwhosetalesromanticizedthecommonplace—inparticularthelifeofordinarypeopleinNewYorkCity.Hisstoriesexpressedtheeffectofcoincidenceoncharacterthroughhumour,grimorironic,andoftenhadsurpriseendings,adevicethatbecameidentifiedwithhisnameandcosthimcriticalfavourwhenitsvoguehadpassed.TextWords&ExpressionsQuotationsUnderstanding

thetextLanguageExercisesReadingTwoThanksgivingDayGentlemenAnindigentcharacternamedStuffyPetewaitsonabenchinUnionSquareinNewYorkCity,justashehasoneveryThanksgivingDayforthepastnineyears.Hehasjustcomefromanunexpectedfeast--providedforhimby"twooldladies"asanactofcharity--andhehaseatentothepointoffeelingsick.ButeveryyearonThanks