unit15.Obama27s_Victory_Speech

1、,Unit 15,Obamas Victory Speech,2012,Contents,Warming up,Background,Text analysis,Language points,Part I warming-up information,About Barack Obama Barack Obama was born in 1961 in Honolulu, Hawaii to a father from Kenya and a mother from the US. His wife Michelle Obama and he have two daughters Sasha

2、 and Milia. Obama was brought up by his mother and grandparents. This is the victory speech Obama made at Grant Park, Chicago after he was elected president on November 5, 2008. Obama, the 44th and current American president is the first African American ever to hold this office. About his victory s

3、peech,Part II Background,This is the speech delivered by Barack Obama to some 600000 supporters in Grant Park, Chicago, when he won the election as the first Afro-American president of the United States. Obama is generally acclaimed as a powerful speaker, and this short speech is a good example. Man

4、y commentators found it forceful and lyrical. Obamas speech certainly made all the required moves. It gave all the target audiences what they each loved to hear. And he artfully used the traditional symbols American people value: the American Dream, the Bible, the Constitution, Lincolns Gettysburg A

5、ddress, Martin Luther Kings I Have a Dream speech, Tom Paine, etc. From the language point of view, Obama also cleverly used many figures of speech that politicians are fond of using. Obamas style is actually better today because those traditional rhetorical colors only suited the time when the prop

6、er role of literature and oration was the decorous ornamentation of thought. They are now unfit to the spirit of modern literature. They may sound catchy吸引人的 as ever, but they are now considered a bit forced and are reserved nowadays mainly for advertising slogans, bumper stickers and the titles of

7、country songs.,Reading: What is meant to say?,What purpose/purposes did Obama want to fulfill with the speech?,Part III Text analysis,I. The introduction (paras. 1-4) Obama hails his election as a triumphant victory for American democracy. II. The body (paras. 5-28) 1. He reviews the 21-month-long c

8、ampaign and expresses his gratitude to people concerned.(paras.5-13) A. He pays tribute颂词 to his opponents in the election. (paras5-6 ) B. He expresses gratitude to those who have supported him in the campaign. (paras. 7-9) C. He owes his election mostly to the broad masses of American people. (para

9、s10-13) 2. He looks ahead to his new job confidently. (paras. 14-28) A. He appeals to American people to join him in remaking the nation. (paras. 14-16) B. He urges American people to unite, displaying a new spirit of patriotism, fighting partisanship党派偏见, and sticking to the ideals of the nation. (

10、paras. 17-20) C. By sharing the story of a 106-year-old black woman who has witnessed the nations progress in the past century, he conveys to all Americans his confidence in the nation. (paras. 21-28) III. The conclusion (paras29-31) He sets new goals for the United States.,Part IV Detailed Discussi

11、on of Text,1. If there is anyone out there. who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time. (para. 1) out there: outside (Remember Obama was speaking to his supporters here.) wonder if: We can say wonder whether or wonder if except in the following cases when whether is preferre

12、d: 1) when followed by an infinitive: He didnt know whether to leave or stay. 2) when used as a clause of a preposition: They talked about whether to close down that nuclear power station. 3) when followed by or not: You must go whether you like it or not.,2. Its the answer told by lines that stretc

13、hed around schools and churches. because they believed that this time must be different. (para. 2) tell the answer: not a common collocation stretch: Here it is used as an intransitive verb, meaning to continue for a certain distance. Note: It can also be used as a transitive verb (to stretch ones n

14、eck, to stretch ones arms, etc.) Paraphrase: Its the answer of the unprecedented long queue of voters around schools and churches, and of people who waited for three or four hours, many of which voted for the first time. They believed Obama would make a difference, so they voted for him to give the

15、chance.,3. Its the answer spoken by. Native American, gay, straight. (para. 3) speak an answer: not a common collocation either Native Americans: referring to American Indians gay and straight: referring to the homosexuals and heterosexuals. Homosexuals usually refer to men. (For women, the word we

16、use is lesbians.) Note that in the United States, gay rights movement has a pretty powerful influence. Therefore, politicians often pay special attention to this community. we have been better just a collection of individuals or a collection or a Red States and Blue States(para. 3) Paraphrase: we ha

17、ve never been a collection of Sates divided and hostile to each other. We are united. (Red and Blue for Republican and Democrat),美国政党 民主党（democrat)和共和党(republican)为美国两个主要政党。 民主党于1791年建党当时由部分种植园主、农民和某些玉南方奴隶主有联系的资本家组成。曾名共和党和民主共和党，1828年改称现名。1933-1953年，民主党人罗斯福和杜鲁门先后任美国总统，民主党连续执政20年，是该党最兴旺发达时期。 共和党成立于185

18、4年，当时主要由反对扩大奴隶制的北方工商业的资本家组成。1861年，林肯就任总统，共和党首次执政，至1933年的70多年中，除16年外均为共和党执政。 此外，美国也有其他党派，如： 共产党 Communist Party; 社会党 Socialist Party 社会劳工党 Social Labor Party; 社会工人党 Social Workers Party Red States and Blue States红州和蓝州 红州与蓝州是指美国近年来选举得票数分布的倾向。红州较支持共和党，蓝州则较支持民主党。一般来说，在西部沿海、东北部沿海和五大湖畔州份的选民投票倾向较支持民主党，故有蓝州

19、之说；而南部沿海和中部较倾向于投给共和党，故有红州之说。此说法起源于2000年美国总统大选，之前则没有统一的政党颜色简称。近年来也有将红州与蓝州交界处的摇摆州称为“紫州”的说法。比较有名的有俄亥俄州、新罕布什尔州、密歇根州、宾州、艾奥瓦州、新墨西哥州等。,4.put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day. (para. 4) Note the use of the word arc here. It may come from the belief drat

20、 historical development does not take a straight line. It can be bent by human beings one way or the other. put their hands on the arc of history: put their hands on the curved lines in which history moves 5. Its been a long time coming. (para. 5) It has been a long time in coming. / We have waited

21、a long time for this day. / It has taken us a long time to achieve this. at this defining moment :this means a moment that defines or shapes history.,6. I received an extraordinarily gracious call from Senator McCain. Senator McCain fought long and hard in this campaign, and hes fought even longer a

22、nd harder for the country that he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine. We are better off fer the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him; I congratulate Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and 1 look forward to wo

23、rking with them to renew this nations promise in the months ahead. (para. 6) He has endured sacrifices.: Obama was referring to the fact that McCain was captured by the Vietnamese and was a prisoner of war for quite a long time. better off: This is well off in the comparative degree. It means in a b

24、etter situation or having more money. Note the subtle difference between better and better off: Im sure well be much better off if we put more emphasis on home consumption She is in much better health this year.,7. And I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best fr

25、iend for the last 16 years. Michelle Obama. (para. 8) It means the same as I would not have succeeded if it had not been for the firm support of”. Or: It is the staunch support ofthat has made it possible for me to win this election. Or: I owe my success to the strong support of unyielding support:

26、powerful and firm support the rock of our family: the stable support or foundation of our family which is as reliable or as firm as a rock. Notice the cultural difference here. In China, this kind of remark would usually be considered too personal and therefore inappropriate for such occasions, wher

27、eas in the United States, this is expected and appreciated. Question: what kind of image is Obama trying to project to the nation here? Obama is trying to project the image of a person who loves his wife, a person who holds dear the traditional values.,8. And while shes no longer with us, I know my

28、grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. 1 miss them tonight. I know that my debt to them is beyond measure. (para. 8) be no longer with us: It means no longer living with us here. Obamas grandmother is still alive, so this expression could not be a euphemism for having

29、passed away. along with the family: together with my folks beyond measure: Beyond here is used for saying that sth. cannot be done. More examples: beyond repair; beyond recognition; beyond control; beyond reach,9.you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what youve sacrificed to get it don

30、e. (para. 9) Note how effectively Obama used such simple expressions as made this happen and to get it done. There are many other examples in this speech. 10. I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didnt start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the

31、 halls of Washington. Porches of Charleston. (para. 11) Note the use of the past tense here. Obama was not considered a likeliest candidate at first. Note the subtle difference between likely and possible. hatch a plan: to make a plan secretly Question: Why dose he say he was never the likeliest can

32、didate for this office? Because he was relatively unknown. But the main reason was that he was black.,To be continued,Question: Why are these places particularly mentioned? Why does Obama considerate important to stress that the campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington? He wants to stress

33、 the fact that he does not come from the ruling elite like George Bush. He represents the ordinary American people who live in small towns and cities such as Des Moines. Concord and Charleston.,11. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generations apathy. (para. 12) g

34、row: Here it is used as a transitive verb. We often say grow vegetables or crops. Grow strength is a bit uncommon. their generations apathy: The younger generation today in the United States has sometimes been referred to by some people as the generation of apathy, meaning they are rather indifferen

35、t to what goes on in the world or in the country. Obama says that what young people have done in this election has proved that it is not so; the younger generation does care. reject: to disagree with (an idea, an argument or a suggestion). In this context, we cant replace it with refuse. Question: W

36、hat does Obama say that he is sure will appeal to the young people? The young people in the United States at the time were often referred to as the generation of apathy, meaning they did not show much interest in or care about want was going on both in and out of the country. Obama wanted to tell th

37、e young people that he thought this view was not true. It was only a myth. And the young people showed that they rejected this myth by so actively participating in this election. What Obama said her was very flattering to the young peole and would no doubt make them happy.,12.braved the bitter cold

38、and scorching heat. (para. 12) went outside in spite of extremely hot and cold weather. bitter adj. a planet in peril refers to the Earth threatened by environmental degradation in general, and global warming in particular; the worst financial crisis refers to the crisis in 2008 which started in the

39、 United States and spread quickly to the rest of the world.,15. there will be setbacks and false starts. (para. 15) false starts: originally meaning starting too soon at the beginning of a race. Here it refers to mistakes or unsuccessful attempts at the beginning in general. 16.I will ask you to joi

40、n in the work of remaking this nation the only way its been done in America for 221 years-block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand. (para. 15) to join in the work: to pitch for 221 years: counting from 1787s Constitutional Convention制宪会议 at which the American Constitution was

41、 signed (and was ratified 批准shortly afterwards) block by block: one block at a time. By is used when saying that sth. happens or changes gradually, e.g. day by day; week by week; bit by bit; one by one; little by little; inch by inch; step by step Question: Is “calloused hand by calloused hand” a co

42、mmon idiomatic phrase? Want does Obama mean? “calloused hand by calloused hand”: by using our calloused hands (calloused: worn by hard work, not the soft hands of the rich),17. we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffersin this country, we rise or fall as one nation, s one people

43、. (para. 17) Question: Why does Obama use “Main Street” instead of “the poor people”? “Wall Street” represents the rich. The opposite should be “the poor”, but by changing it to “Main Street”, Obama plays on the word “street” cleverly and makes the sentences sound much better. Besides. Mot all Ameri

44、cans outside the Wall Street would be happy with the aord “poor”. They would much prefer being referred to as “ordinary people”, and that was exactly what “Main Street” means.,18. Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our po

45、litics for so long. (para. 18) to tall back on sth./sb.: to use or do sth else after things have failed退而求其次地做某事)， e.g.: If we cannot get enough oil in the international market, we will have to fall back: on our own coal. During that energy crisis, even the Queen and the Prime Minister had to fall b

46、ack on candles. Question 1 : How do you understand the term “partisanship”? Partisanship refers to the attitude of people who give strong and usu. unreasonable support and loyalty to a particular person, group, party. etc. to the degree that they hate the opposition blindly. It is usu. Used derogato

47、rily.(盲目偏袒一方的态度； 宗派主义),To be continued,Question 2: What is Obamas view about it? When he criticizes it as “petty” and “immature” and poisonous to the nations politics, is he expressing the idea that the two-party system of the United States is no good? Obama ,now that he has won the election, natura

48、lly wats to rally everybody round him. He naturally would regard partisanship as a terrible threat to him as the president. Therefore, he uses such words as “pettiness” (small or narrow-mindedness, an obsession over unimportant things) and “immaturity (childishness). but this does not mean that he i

49、s opposed to the two-party system. It would be wrong to infer from what he said that he was ready to do away with this system, which made it possible for him to be voted into the White House.,19. Lets remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to

50、the White House a party founded on the values of self-reliance, and individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values that we all share(para 18) Question: Why does Obama pay special compliment to this “man”? “A man of this state” refers to Abraham Lincoln from Illinois, who won the presidenti

51、al election in 1861. Obama hopes that by reminding the Republicans of their past glory, he can persuade them to bury their differences and strive for the common goal. 20. We are not enemies, but friends. though passion may have strained it, it must not break our bonds of affection. (para. 18) Lincol

52、n was referring to the bitter quarrel between the two parties over the issues of slavery and national unity. This quarrel certainly had strained the relationship of the two parties because it actually led to the Civil War.,21. And to all those watching tonight. And to all those who have wondered if

53、Americas beacon still bums as bright. (para. 19) Many early Puritans came to the North American continent for religious reasons-to build a Christian Paradise on earth, to build a City upon a Hill, a Beacon of democracy and freedom“, a Beacon that would burn bright for all suffering people, a Paradis

54、e on Earth, a Christian Commonwealth. Question: In paras. 18-19, what is Obama trying to do here? Now that he is elected, Obama naturally hopes that those who did not vote for him will accept him as their president too. He hopes that he can make them forget the differences and agree to fight togethe

55、r for the nations common ideals.,22. But one thats on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. (para. 21) on ones mind: in ones thoughts or making one worry压在某人心头;使某人牵肠挂肚) compare: I wonder what is going on in his young mind. You seem to have something on your mind. Why dont

56、you tell me? I know my pa always has my well-being in his mind. To my mind, it is not a good idea to increase our nuclear power stations in such a hurry. 23. Shes a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing-Ann Nixon Cooper is 1

57、06 years old. (para. 21) Except for is not Ute same as except. Compare: We all went to the Temple of Heaven except Xiao Deng. They had a wonderful time except for the weather. We really have achieved a great deal in the past few years except for the environment.,24. and the people who pressed on wit

58、h that American creed: Yes we can. (para. 23) Question: Why does Obama call “Yes we can” an American creed? He calls this an “American creed” because traditionally American people have by and large always been optimistic. They believe that their country has such natural resources and such advanced s

59、ocial, political and economic systems that they can just about do anything once they set their mind to it. Obama hopes that he can encourage his people to overcome the difficulties ahead of them by reminding them of this traditional myth.,25. At a time when womens voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed. (pare. 24) dismiss: refuse to accept an idea as true or important, e.g. Dont dismiss these suggestions too quickly: Give them a try. Most observers dismissed the idea that this earthquake might have been caused by a secret