Say YesSay Yes

LESSON FIVELESSON FIVE

A Profile A Profile : Tobias Wolff (1945---- ) : Tobias Wolff (1945---- ) Tobias Wolff was born in Alabama in 1945. His parents

divorced when he was a boy. Wolff’s mother retained custody of him, while his brother Geoffrey who also became a writer who lived with their father. As a child, Wolff traveled with his mother, Rosemary, to the Pacific Northwest, where she remarried. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, young Tobias soon was forced to endure life under his strict and cruel stepfather. His efforts to get away from his stepfather led to his self-transformation.

That period of Wolff’s life is recounted in This Boy’s Life: A Memoir, which was later made into a film.

He lives with his family in upstate New York and teaches writing at Syracuse University.

From 1964 through 1968, Wolff served as From 1964 through 1968, Wolff served as a lieutenant with the U.S. Army Special a lieutenant with the U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Berets) in Vietnam. He Forces (Green Berets) in Vietnam. He later recounted his wartime experiences later recounted his wartime experiences in the memoir in the memoir In the Pharaoh’sIn the Pharaoh’s Army: Army: Memoirs of the Lost WarMemoirs of the Lost War. . In 1972 Wolff earned his B.A. and then In 1972 Wolff earned his B.A. and then his M.A. from Oxford University with First his M.A. from Oxford University with First Class Honors in English three years later. Class Honors in English three years later. That year, his first book, That year, his first book, Ugly RumoursUgly Rumours, , was published in London. Also that year, was published in London. Also that year, he won a prestigious Stegner Fellowship he won a prestigious Stegner Fellowship from Stanford University. from Stanford University.

He is the author of the short novel He is the author of the short novel The The

Barracks ThiefBarracks Thief, which won the 1985 , which won the 1985 PEN/Faulkner Award; PEN/Faulkner Award;

two collections of short stories, two collections of short stories, Back in Back in the Worldthe World (collecting “Say Yes”) and (collecting “Say Yes”) and In In the Garden of the North American the Garden of the North American MartyrsMartyrs, which received the Saint , which received the Saint Lawrence Award for fiction in 1982; Lawrence Award for fiction in 1982;

Mr. Wolff's work appears frequently in Mr. Wolff's work appears frequently in Esquire, Vanity Fair, The AtlanticEsquire, Vanity Fair, The Atlantic, and , and other magazines and reviews. other magazines and reviews.

Old SchoolOld School

This Boy’s LifeThis Boy’s Life (autobiography) (autobiography)

The Night In Question : Stories

Works:Works:

BACK IN THE WORLD

In Pharaoh's Army : Memories of the Lost War

In The Garden Of The North American Martyrs

The Vintage Book of Contemporary American Short Stories

BARRACKS THIEF/SELE/

Theme of the text:Theme of the text: The idea of racism is a theme in the story, The idea of racism is a theme in the story,

for the implication of the husband’s for the implication of the husband’s racism is what causes the couple to racism is what causes the couple to quarrel. The wife dislikes her husband’s quarrel. The wife dislikes her husband’s beliefs that African Americans are beliefs that African Americans are different from whites. He maintains that it different from whites. He maintains that it is not that he is prejudiced against is not that he is prejudiced against African Americans, but that they come African Americans, but that they come from a different culture than white peoplefrom a different culture than white people

they even have their own language.they even have their own language.

His protestation that I His protestation that I like like hearing them talkhearing them talk

because it makes him feel happy reveals much because it makes him feel happy reveals much about his personality: his belief that African about his personality: his belief that African Americans are inherently foreign to whites, Americans are inherently foreign to whites, and his condescending(and his condescending( 亲切却显出优越亲切却显出优越的）的） attitude. He needs something attitude. He needs something completely unlike himself to bring him completely unlike himself to bring him pleasure. pleasure.

The husband’sThe husband’s negative response to Ann’snegative response to Ann’s question of whether he would marry her were question of whether he would marry her were she African American indicates the pervasive she African American indicates the pervasive and destructive nature of his racism. and destructive nature of his racism.

Husband

The husband in the story is generally an unsympathetic character. He appears to have racist feelings and seems to be dishonest with himself. He claims to appreciate the stability of his life with Ann, yet he makes efforts to undermine it. He refuses to take responsibility for his actions. Throughout the evening, he is seen to be less than a genuine person; he does things for effect rather than out of a genuine, sincere desire. In the story, his most significant trait is his rejection of his wife, which she takes quite seriously, much to his surprise. By the end of the story, the husband demonstrates yet another shift in mood: excitement as he realizes that, in certain ways, his wife is unknowable to him. The final scene has him awaiting his wife in their darkened bedroom, imagining that she is a stranger that he seems to embrace, as demonstrated by the excited pounding of his heart.

Introduction: Wolff has often been likened to Introduction: Wolff has often been likened to other writers of his generation such as other writers of his generation such as Raymond Carver and Richard Ford. In his short Raymond Carver and Richard Ford. In his short stories, Wolff practices a direct, even stories, Wolff practices a direct, even nondramatic, style of writing. This is certainly nondramatic, style of writing. This is certainly the case in his story “Say Yes” which takes as the case in his story “Say Yes” which takes as its backdrop an average evening in the life of a its backdrop an average evening in the life of a married couple. When the conversation delves married couple. When the conversation delves into an issue on which the couple do not agree, into an issue on which the couple do not agree, the relationship experiences a newfound the relationship experiences a newfound rockiness. The husband’s reaction to this rockiness. The husband’s reaction to this argument demonstrates the secret argument demonstrates the secret undercurrents that run through relationships. undercurrents that run through relationships.

– Comments:Comments:

Tobias Wolff is perhaps best known by the American Tobias Wolff is perhaps best known by the American reading public for his memoir reading public for his memoir This BoyThis Boy 抯 抯 LifeLife, which , which was later made into an acclaimed movie, but his was later made into an acclaimed movie, but his literary reputation was first established on the merit literary reputation was first established on the merit of his short stories. He is still primarily known for of his short stories. He is still primarily known for these short stories, in which he depicts many these short stories, in which he depicts many characters’ voices and a wide range of emotions. characters’ voices and a wide range of emotions. Since the early 1980s, Wolff has produced several Since the early 1980s, Wolff has produced several collections of short stories. These fictions focus on collections of short stories. These fictions focus on the important relationships and the moral choices in the important relationships and the moral choices in everyday people’s lives: men and women, husbands everyday people’s lives: men and women, husbands and wives, parents and children. As scholar Marilyn and wives, parents and children. As scholar Marilyn C. Wesley writes in the C. Wesley writes in the Dictionary of Literary Dictionary of Literary BiographyBiography, Wolff writes about the basic needs of , Wolff writes about the basic needs of Everyman, written with a respect that Everyman Everyman, written with a respect that Everyman deserves. deserves.

Historical Context: Historical Context: The Republican YearsThe Republican Years

The 1980s was a decade led by Republican policy.

Ronald Reagan took office as president of the United States in 1980, and served two terms, after which his vice president, George Bush, was elected to the nation’s top office.

Reagan held conservative political beliefs, both on the domestic front and when it came to foreign policy. Although his economic programs brought the national inflation rate down, they also seemed to favor the wealthy. During the Reagan era, many middle-class Americans saw their personal income shrinking, while the richest of Americans increased their wealth.

By the 1980s, as the United States By the 1980s, as the United States and the Soviet Union built up a and the Soviet Union built up a stockpile of nuclear weapons, the stockpile of nuclear weapons, the cold war had been ongoing for cold war had been ongoing for almost forty years. led by the two almost forty years. led by the two superpowers. Reagan, an ardent superpowers. Reagan, an ardent opponent of communism, opponent of communism, encouraged his administration to encouraged his administration to greatly increase military spending. greatly increase military spending.

Topics for Further StudyTopics for Further Study1. How do you think the husband and wife 1. How do you think the husband and wife

will resolve their situation? will resolve their situation?

Do you think they will resolve it? Do you think they will resolve it?

Write a scene that takes place the Write a scene that takes place the following day.following day.

2. Analyze the husband in terms of whether 2. Analyze the husband in terms of whether or not he is a racist character. or not he is a racist character.

Topics:Topics:3. Write a counterargument to the 3. Write a counterargument to the

husband’s statement that African husband’s statement that African Americans don’t come from the same Americans don’t come from the same culture as whites. culture as whites.

Information backgroundInformation background 1980s1980s: At the beginning of the 1980s, nine percent of all United : At the beginning of the 1980s, nine percent of all United

States households are made up solely of a married couple. There States households are made up solely of a married couple. There are over forty-eight million married couples in the United States. are over forty-eight million married couples in the United States.

1990s1990s: At the end of the 1990s, only three percent of all United : At the end of the 1990s, only three percent of all United States households are made up solely of a married couple. There States households are made up solely of a married couple. There are close to fifty-five million married couples in the United States. are close to fifty-five million married couples in the United States.

1980s1980s: In 1980, 67.2 percent of the white American population is : In 1980, 67.2 percent of the white American population is married, and 51.4 percent of the African-American population is married, and 51.4 percent of the African-American population is married. married.

1990s1990s: While more than half of the American population : While more than half of the American population continues to marry, the percentages for both whites and African continues to marry, the percentages for both whites and African Americans has decreased in the past ten years. In 1997, 62.1 Americans has decreased in the past ten years. In 1997, 62.1 percent of the white American population is married, and 42.4 percent of the white American population is married, and 42.4 percent of the African-American population is married. percent of the African-American population is married.

1980s1980s: In 1980, there are 651,0000 interracial couples in the : In 1980, there are 651,0000 interracial couples in the United States.... United States....

a look at the new integrated Literaturesa look at the new integrated Literatures

Units on Toni Morrison's Units on Toni Morrison's BelovedBeloved, , Alice Walker's Alice Walker's The Color PurpleThe Color Purple, , Lorraine Hansberry's Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the SunA Raisin in the Sun, , Mildred Taylor's Mildred Taylor's Roll of Thunder, Hear My Roll of Thunder, Hear My

CryCry.. Johnnie Lee GrayJohnnie Lee Gray was an African- was an African-

American painter whose themes focused American painter whose themes focused around the Jim Crow era. His paintings around the Jim Crow era. His paintings bring to life the experience of African bring to life the experience of African Americans in the South of his youth and Americans in the South of his youth and the South of today.the South of today.

Band-AidBand-Aid

A trademark for a piece of thin A trademark for a piece of thin material that is stuck to the skin to material that is stuck to the skin to cover cuts and other small wounds.cover cuts and other small wounds.

hypo- : prefix meaning “below, under”

1) in words denoting an organ or location below a given body part 在 -- 下面

hypoderm 皮下组织

2) in terms denoting a body condition in which substances or functions are at below-normal levels 低于

hypotension 血压过低 hypothermia 体温过低

3) used in the names of chemical compounds that are in a lower state of oxidation （氧化） than a given compound 亚

4) counterpart to a word formed with “hyper”( 在 -- 上面，超越， 过于，极度 )

hypotension 血压过低 ---- hypertension 血压过高

hyper-: excessive 上面 , 超越， 过于，极度

hypersensitive hyperphysical 超物质的 超自然的hyperoxide 过氧化物 hypercritic 过于苛严，吹毛求疵的 hyperbole 夸张的 hyperacid 胃酸过多

consider: v. E.g. All things considered, the reform is a success. considerate: a. showing kind regard for the feelings, thoughtful, careful not to hurt or cause inconvenienceto othersE.g. It is considerate of you not to play the piano while I was having a sleep.

considerable: a. rather large or great , as in size , distance, or extentE.g. He bought a house at a considerable expense. considering: prep. in view of, having regard toE.g. She’s very active, considering her age.

break up: divide/ split, (a couple, relationship) come to break up: divide/ split, (a couple, relationship) come to an end an end break down: collapse, failure in machinery useless, break down: collapse, failure in machinery useless, suffer physical or mental weakening suffer physical or mental weakening break in (to): enter a building by force break in (to): enter a building by force break away: go away suddenly, give up (idea, belief) break away: go away suddenly, give up (idea, belief) break through: make a way throughbreak through: make a way throughbreak off: stop, pausebreak off: stop, pause

His health has broken ____ from overwork. A. down B. in C. off D. away

ashamed: feeling shameashamed: feeling shame 感到羞愧的，惭愧的感到羞愧的，惭愧的E.g. You should feel ashamed of what you E.g. You should feel ashamed of what you

have done.have done.

shamefulshameful ：可耻的，导致羞愧的：可耻的，导致羞愧的E.g. shameful conductE.g. shameful conduct

shameless: without shame, immodestshameless: without shame, immodest 厚颜厚颜无耻的无耻的

E.g. shameless exploiterE.g. shameless exploiter

Ku Klux Klan:Ku Klux Klan: a secret white supremacist organization at various times in Americana secret white supremacist organization at various times in Americanhistory terrorized blacks and white sympathizers with violent acts of history terrorized blacks and white sympathizers with violent acts of lynching, shootings, and whippings. lynching, shootings, and whippings. pronunciation: kOO klucks klan also Known As: kKKpronunciation: kOO klucks klan also Known As: kKK

KKK KKK SymbolSymbol

Founder:Founder: Confederate Civil War veterans Captain John C. Lester, Major Confederate Civil War veterans Captain John C. Lester, Major James R. Crowe, John D. Kennedy, Calvin Jones, Richard R. Reed, Frank O. James R. Crowe, John D. Kennedy, Calvin Jones, Richard R. Reed, Frank O. McCordMcCord

Founded: Founded: 18661866

Headquarters: Headquarters: Imperial Klans of America is headquartered in Powderly, Kentucky; Imperial Klans of America is headquartered in Powderly, Kentucky; American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan in Butler, Indiana; American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan in Butler, Indiana; Knights of the White Kamelia in Jasper, Texas.Knights of the White Kamelia in Jasper, Texas.

Background: Background: The Klan has fragmented into scores of competing factions. The Klan has fragmented into scores of competing factions. Most of these are nominally independent, while a few remain affiliated Most of these are nominally independent, while a few remain affiliated with one of the umbrella groups listed above.with one of the umbrella groups listed above.

KKKKKK Estimated size: Estimated size: No more than a few thousand, No more than a few thousand,

organized into slightly more than 100 units.organized into slightly more than 100 units.

Media: Media: Mass mailings, leafletting and the InternetMass mailings, leafletting and the Internet

Strategy: Strategy: Public rallies and protests, "Adopt-A-Public rallies and protests, "Adopt-A-Highway" programs, InternetHighway" programs, Internet

Ideology: Ideology: Some Christian fundamentalist beliefs, Some Christian fundamentalist beliefs, Christian Identity, white supremacy Christian Identity, white supremacy

Connections: Connections: Militias, Aryans Nations, National Militias, Aryans Nations, National AllianceAlliance

Financial support : Financial support : Little. Even Imperial Wizards Little. Even Imperial Wizards have to hold day jobs. Most funding comes from have to hold day jobs. Most funding comes from membership dues and sales of Klan paraphernalia. membership dues and sales of Klan paraphernalia.

Birth of the KlanBirth of the Klan Six college students founded the Ku Klux Klan Six college students founded the Ku Klux Klan

between December 1865 and the summer of between December 1865 and the summer of 1866 in the town of Pulaski, Tennessee. 1866 in the town of Pulaski, Tennessee. Former Confederate officers, the six young Former Confederate officers, the six young men organized as a social club or fraternity men organized as a social club or fraternity and spent their time in horseplay of various and spent their time in horseplay of various types, including wearing disguises and types, including wearing disguises and galloping about town after dark. They were galloping about town after dark. They were surprised to learn that their nightly surprised to learn that their nightly appearances were causing fear, particularly appearances were causing fear, particularly among farmer slaves in the area. They quickly among farmer slaves in the area. They quickly took advantage of this effect and the group took advantage of this effect and the group began a rapid expansion. Various factions began a rapid expansion. Various factions formed in different towns, which led to a formed in different towns, which led to a meeting in April 1867 to codify rules and meeting in April 1867 to codify rules and organizational structure. organizational structure.

Targeting those set free after the Targeting those set free after the American Civil War - the African American Civil War - the African Americans,Americans, KKK KKK designed to spread designed to spread fear throughout the Black population fear throughout the Black population that still lived in the southern states. that still lived in the southern states. This was the KKK. Only WASP’s could This was the KKK. Only WASP’s could belong to it —  belong to it —  White Anglo-Saxon White Anglo-Saxon ProtestantsProtestants. It is common that the KKK . It is common that the KKK targeted only the Blacks - also the Jews, targeted only the Blacks - also the Jews, Catholics, liberals etc but most hatred Catholics, liberals etc but most hatred was directed against the poor black was directed against the poor black families in the south who were very families in the south who were very vulnerable to attack.vulnerable to attack.

Reconstruction era kkkReconstruction era kkk In 1867, General Nathan Bedford Forrest, the Grand In 1867, General Nathan Bedford Forrest, the Grand

Wizard of the Empire, converted the Klan into a Wizard of the Empire, converted the Klan into a paramilitary force that served to directly oppose the paramilitary force that served to directly oppose the formation of Republican governments set up by formation of Republican governments set up by Congressional Reconstruction acts. Klansmen dressed Congressional Reconstruction acts. Klansmen dressed in white robes and covered hoods, rode on horses, in white robes and covered hoods, rode on horses, and dragged black people and some white and dragged black people and some white republicans from their homes, assaulting them by republicans from their homes, assaulting them by whipping or lynching them. Such assaults were whipping or lynching them. Such assaults were successful in keeping black men from the polls, and successful in keeping black men from the polls, and thus altering election results. thus altering election results.

To stop the reconstruction era Klan, federal To stop the reconstruction era Klan, federal intervention was necessary. With the enactment of intervention was necessary. With the enactment of Congressional legislation and enforcement of the law Congressional legislation and enforcement of the law by the federal government, the Klan was extinguished by the federal government, the Klan was extinguished in 1871 – 1872. in 1871 – 1872.

The World War I Era KlanThe World War I Era Klan

In 1915, the second Klan era began. As In 1915, the second Klan era began. As World War I was underway, a strong World War I was underway, a strong patriotism developed and anti-Catholic patriotism developed and anti-Catholic sentiments emerged. Along with these sentiments emerged. Along with these new ideas, white supremacist attitudes, new ideas, white supremacist attitudes, the publication of Thomas Dixon’s the publication of Thomas Dixon’s novel, novel, The ClansmanThe Clansman (1905), and the (1905), and the 1915 movie, 1915 movie, Birth of a NationBirth of a Nation, by D.W. , by D.W. Griffith, a new Klan emerged. Griffith, a new Klan emerged.

It was at this time that cross burning It was at this time that cross burning became a popular form of intimidation. became a popular form of intimidation.

Periods:Periods: The leader of the KKK in the 1920’s was The leader of the KKK in the 1920’s was

a dentist called Hiram Wesley Evans a dentist called Hiram Wesley Evans whose name in the KKK was Imperial whose name in the KKK was Imperial Wizard. The KKK were a violent Wizard. The KKK were a violent organization. The white KKK burnt organization. The white KKK burnt churches of the black population, churches of the black population, murdered, raped, castrated etc and they murdered, raped, castrated etc and they were rarely caught as most senior law were rarely caught as most senior law officers in the South were high ranking officers in the South were high ranking KKK men or sympathetic with their aims - KKK men or sympathetic with their aims - which was a white protestant south. which was a white protestant south. Even white people who had contacts with Even white people who had contacts with the blacks had reason to fear the KKK.the blacks had reason to fear the KKK.

The Black Americans tried to fight back The Black Americans tried to fight back using non-violent methods. The NAACP using non-violent methods. The NAACP (National Association for the Advancement (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) asked Washington for of Colored People) asked Washington for new laws to help combat the KKK violence new laws to help combat the KKK violence but received very little, if any, help.but received very little, if any, help.

In the 1920’s Black Americans started to In the 1920’s Black Americans started to turn to the ‘Back to Africa’ movement which turn to the ‘Back to Africa’ movement which told blacks that they should return to their told blacks that they should return to their native America. This was started by Marcus native America. This was started by Marcus Garvey but the whole movement faltered Garvey but the whole movement faltered when he was arrested for fraud and sent to when he was arrested for fraud and sent to prison.prison.

The Civil Rights Era KlanThe Civil Rights Era Klan By the 1960s, as the civil rights By the 1960s, as the civil rights

movement was emerging, the Klan’s movement was emerging, the Klan’s membership reached almost twenty membership reached almost twenty thousand. Like the former Klan thousand. Like the former Klan organization, there was not a central organization, there was not a central leadership. leadership.

While the Klan still exists today, its While the Klan still exists today, its membership is in the low thousands. The membership is in the low thousands. The Klan has ties to other white supremacist Klan has ties to other white supremacist organizations such as the Aryan Nations organizations such as the Aryan Nations and the Skinheads.and the Skinheads.

Creation of the Jim Crow SouthCreation of the Jim Crow South

In the South, during the 1870s and In the South, during the 1870s and 1880s, it was not uncommon for blacks 1880s, it was not uncommon for blacks and whites to use the same public and whites to use the same public facilities. However, Supreme Court facilities. However, Supreme Court decisions began to strip away the gains decisions began to strip away the gains of Reconstruction, which led the way to of Reconstruction, which led the way to the creation of Jim Crow laws.the creation of Jim Crow laws.

Jim Crow Laws Jim Crow Laws

    After 1877, and the election of Republican Rutherford After 1877, and the election of Republican Rutherford

B. Hayes, the South quickly replaced Reconstruction B. Hayes, the South quickly replaced Reconstruction laws with new ones that restricted the rights of blacks. laws with new ones that restricted the rights of blacks. These laws allowed the South's new upper class of These laws allowed the South's new upper class of planters, merchants and industrialists to prosper, planters, merchants and industrialists to prosper, while most blacks sank deeper into poverty. Between while most blacks sank deeper into poverty. Between 1880 and 1900, the per capita income of the Deep 1880 and 1900, the per capita income of the Deep South showed no increase at all, and the average South showed no increase at all, and the average black farmer's decreased. Racial segregation, called black farmer's decreased. Racial segregation, called "Jim Crow," excluded blacks from public transport and "Jim Crow," excluded blacks from public transport and facilities, jobs, juries, and neighborhoods. Blacks had facilities, jobs, juries, and neighborhoods. Blacks had separate hospitals, prisons, orphanages, parks and separate hospitals, prisons, orphanages, parks and pools. The 19th century ended with the races firmly pools. The 19th century ended with the races firmly segregated -- culturally and legally. segregated -- culturally and legally.

The End The End