Should a Public Worker Accept Costly Gifts? M. K. Gandhi Unit 15

Should a Public Worker Accept Costly Gifts?

M. K. Gandhi

Unit 15

Lesson 1: Overview

Who is Mohandas K. Gandhi? New words and expressions Questions for discussion Background knowledge A global picture

Warming-up Questions

Who is Mohandas K. Gandhi?

Do you know anything about him?

How important is M. K. Gandhi in India?

Mohandas K. Gandhi

(1869–1948) ________________

leader of India Leader of the

Indian _______________________________.

Political & spiritual

independence movement

Mohandas K. Gandhi

He studied law in __________.

No. 10 Downing Street, London

London

Mohandas K. Gandhi

In South Africa, he worked to improve the rights of the _____________________.immigrant Indians

Mohandas K. Gandhi

Gandhi’s home in the state of Gujarat （古吉拉特邦） in western India

Mohandas K. Gandhi

Gandhi and his wife

Mohandas K. Gandhi

In 1930, Gandhi led Indians in the disobedience of the British-imposed salt tax, known as Dandi Salt March

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt_Satyagraha

Mohandas K. Gandhi Gandhi's principles:

– Truth or Satya – ________________– Vegetarianism– Brahmacharya—

spiritual and practical purity

– ______________– Faith—Hinduism

Nonviolence

Simplicity

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satya

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism

Mohandas K. Gandhi

Gandhi Smriti (The house Gandhi lodged in the last 4 months of his life has now become a

monument, New Delhi)

Mohandas K. Gandhi• Statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Union Square Park, New York City

• He was assassinated in January 1948.

• In India, he is often called Mahatma, meaning “___________”.great soul

New Words and Expressions

Check the pronunciation (page 216) Check your acquaintance Word derivation Word formation Word differentiation

New Words

The bee turns n______ into honey.

This is only a passing i_________, not to be taken too seriously.

She refused to make a statement until she had spoken to her a________.

nectar

infatuation

attorney

New Words It is easy to c______ the little boy into

doing this.

He is so a_______ that however hard I tried to persuade him to join us he did not change his mind.

The church was destroyed in the bombing but the altar survived i______.

cajole

adamant

intact

Word Derivation

V. relieve fancy accumulate

N.

Adj.

V.

N. remuneration bulk infatuation

Adj.

relief

relieved

fancy

fancy

accumulation

accumulative

remunerate

remunerative

bulk

bulky

infatuate

infatuated

Word Derivation

V. request

N. consultation

Adj. agitated

V. bind bathe bestow

N.

consult

consultative/ consulting

agitateagitation/agitator

request

bind/ binder bathe/ bathing

bestowal

Word DerivationV. forego exhort draft plead

N.

V. reinforce conquer save

N. thrust

V. deposit extort

N.

foregoing exhortation draft plea

-ment conquest/ conqueror

thrust

saver/ saving

deposit/ depositor

extortion

Word DerivationN. torrent

Adj. requisite costly

V. V. deposit

Adj. overwhelming Ant.

N. bondslave Adj. requisite

Syn. Syn.

torrential

requisite cost

overwhelm

salve

withdraw

necessary

Word Formation

Coworker co-author; co-pilot; co-education; co-exist; cooperation; cohabit

Lennon and McCartney co-wrote most of the Beatles’ songs.

The two communities enjoyed a period of peaceful co-existence.

Word Formation

forego = forgo for- = stop; no longer forgo = to not have or do sth enjoyable

– I shall have to forgo the pleasure of seeing you this week.

– No one was prepared to forgo their lunch hour to attend the meeting.

forgive = to stop blaming/being angry forget = to be unable to remember

放弃

Word Formation

fore- = in advance; before fore-cast; foreclose; foresee; forestall;

forewarn; foretell; foreshadow– The employees had been forewarned that

the end-of-year financial results would be poor.

– I don’t foresee any difficulties so long as we keep within budget.

事先告知

Word Differentiation This suggestion will require careful thought. To carry out this plan would require increasing our

staff by 50%. Silence is required of all examination candidates. This record has been requested by Mrs Simpson of

Potter Bar. All members of the club are requested to attend the

annual meeting. The dissatisfied customer demanded to see the man

ager of the store.

=specify as compulsory

=politely or formally ask for

=politely or formally ask to do

=insist on having

Word Differentiation

The hostages were bound hand and foot. We feel bound together by our past

experiences. The dog bounded away/down the hill. The US is bounded in/on the north by

Canada and in/on the south by Mexico. This new adhesive can bond metal to

glass.

=stick or tie tightly

=join or be joined

Word Differentiation Children suffering from the illness had

bathed in sea water contaminated by sewage.

I bathed my feet in salt water. The Mediterranean Sea bathes the

sunny shores of Italy. The fields were bathed in sunlight. He baths every morning. He is bathing the baby.

=soak with liquid


A dish-washer is a great time-saver. A saver may also be a person who saves money

regularly. She drank the wine slowly, savoring every

drop. It was the first chocolate he’s tasted for over a

year, so he savored every mouthful. In the Christian religion, Jesus Christ is called

the/our Savior.

=taste and enjoy to the full

=a person who saves others


“No, I do not have time to help you,” he rejoined impatiently.

He rejoined his regiment after a week’s leave. Rejoin the two wires. Everyone rejoiced at the news of his safe retur

n. She rejoiced in her good fortune. I rejoiced to see that she had made such a quic

k recovery.

=say in reply

=join together again

=feel or show great joy


The requisite number of countries have now ratified the convention.

He has exquisite taste in music. Look at this exquisite painting. She has exquisite taste. A good comedian needs to have an

exquisite sense of timing.

=required=keen

=acute


Police have not so far been able to extort a confession from the people accused of the bombing.

They accused him of trying to extort money with menaces.

He extorted a promise from her. The government exhorted the prisoners not to

riot. The general exhorted his men to fight bravely.

=obtain by force

=urge; strongly encourage

Questions for Discussion Who are the public or civil servants? What is bribery? Why do people give and take bribes? What are the possible harms of bribery

to our society? What do you think are the roots of

bribery? What should we do to eliminate it?

What is a civil servant? A civil servant or public servant is a

civilian career public sector employee working for a government department or agency. The term explicitly

excludes the armed services,

although civilian officials

will work at “Defense

Ministry” headquarters.

Types of Corruption

In broad terms, political corruption is the use of governmental powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain.

Forms of corruption include:– Bribery （行贿；受贿）– Embezzlement （挪用公款） – Cronyism （任人唯亲）

Types of Corruption

Nepotism （裙带关系） Graft （以权谋私） Money laundering / trafficking ( 洗黑钱 ) The end point of political corruption is a kle

ptoctacy （盗贼统治） , literally “rule by thieves”.

Reasons for Corruption

Lack of government transparency Weak accounting practices Democracy absence Weak rule of law Weak judicial independence Lacking protection of whistleblowers

（举报人）

A Global Picture

The text is a piece of autobiographic writing.

What is the author’s purpose of writing? To tell that accepting costly gifts for

one’s service violates the moral principle of a public worker.

How many parts does the text fall into?

Structure of the Text

Part I (para.1-6)– A description of the situation

Part II (para.7-11)– The author’s worries and decision

Part III (para.12-22)– His efforts made to persuade his family

Part IV (para.23-26)– The final settlement of the gifts

Structure of the Text

Part III consists of three stages:– A preparatory stage: discussion with his

children– The second stage: his wife’s argument and the

author’s persuasion– The third stage: his wife’s assertion that she

deserved the gifts for her contribution to the community (climax of the conflict)

Thank you!

To be continued.

Lesson 2: Overview

Word review Text analysis

– Comprehension questions– Language points– Sentence highlights– Rhetorical devices

Can you spell the word? The money will be held in t______ until

she is 18. The bank will act as t_______ for the

estate until the child is 18. The t____________ should be prepared in

triplicate. Mr. Brown is a defense a_______. He chose his study course in c________

with his parents and teachers.

trust

trustee

trust-deed

attorney

consultation

Can you spell the word? He let out a t________ of angry words. She appeared on television to p_____ with

the kidnappers. It was a title b_________ upon him by the

king. The gang e________ money from over 30

local businesses. The party leader e_______ his members to

start preparing for government.

torrent

plead

bestowed

extorted

exhorted

Match the word with its definition

remuneration infatuation incubus cajole thrust adamant rejoin requisite

to persuade by praise firm and immovable necessary money paid for the work sb do

es to say in reply a very worrying problem very strong feelings of love or

attraction attack in words

Text Analysis

Comprehension questions

Language points

Sentence highlights

Background Information

Educated in India and in London, M. K. Gandhi was admitted to the English bar in 1889 and practiced law unsuccessfully in India for two years.

In 1893 he went to South Africa, where he became a successful lawyer and leader of the Indian community and involved himself in the fight to end discrimination against the country's Indian minority.


In South Africa he read widely, drawing inspiration from such sources as the Bhagavad-Gita （印度教经典） , John Ruskin, Leo Tolstoy, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Henry David Thoreau, and his personal philosophy underwent significant changes.

English art and social critic

American essayist and poet


He abandoned Western ways and thereafter lived a simple life; this became symbolized in his eschewal

(=avoiding) of

material possessions

and his dress of

loincloth and shawl.


While in South Africa he organized (1907) his first satyagraha [holding to the truth], a campaign of civil disobedience expressed in nonviolent resistance to what he regarded as unjust laws.

So successful were his activities that he secured (1914) an agreement from the South African government that promised the alleviation of anti-Indian discrimination.

Comprehension Questions

Read Paragraph 1 and 2: Why did the author want to return to his

home country?

How did the author feel when he considered leaving South Africa?

Language Points

Not that… but that (para.1)– He felt a bit worried, not that comrades were

not working hard, but that they did not pay enough attention to safety.

– Not that I am willing to go with you, but that I am busy now.

– Not that I dislike the work, but I am unequal to it.

Language Points

Pressing (para.2)– He is ~ me for an answer.– Can I press you further on this issue?– The committee ~ed him to reveal more inform

ation. Relieve sb. of (para.2): to remove a burde

n – He ~d her of her baggage.– He ~d her of the plates she was holding.

Sentence Highlights

Friends at home were also pressing me to return, and I felt that I should be of more service in India. (para.2)

Friends at home were also trying very hard to persuade me to return, and I felt that I should do more work in India.

Sentence Highlights

So I requested my co-workers to relieve me. (para.2)

So I asked my colleagues to relieve me of my work in South Africa and let me leave the community.


Read Paragraph 3 to 6:

What does the author tell us in these paragraphs?

Why is the poem quoted?

Mirabai (1498-1573)

Mirabai （密罗白） is one of the most commemorated women in Indian history. Sometimes known as

Meera, she was a

sixteenth century song-

writer and poet. She wrote over 200

poems.

A Poem by Mirabai

Many of Mirabai's songs are

still sung today in India and

her spirit and rebellious

nature have been an inspira-

tion for women in India.

Explanation

I am His bondslave. (para.3) The word “bondslave” is a coinage that ind

icates the author’s close, even inseparable connection with God.

By quoting the poem, Gandhi wants to reveal the love that bound him and the local community.

Language Points

Bathe (para.5)– The park lay ~d in sunshine.– The whole city is ~d in a festive atmosphere.

Bestow (para.6)– The trophy was ~ed upon the winner.– The George Cross is a decoration that is ~ed

on British civilians for acts of great bravery.

Background

The province of KwaZulu

Natal has a history filled

with romance and adventure. On 25 December 1497, when

Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama first set eyes on the verdant shores of KwaZulu Natal in South Africa, he named his new discovery “Natal”, being the Portuguese word for Christmas.

green with rich vegetation


Read Paragraph 7 to 9: What was the author’s initial response to al

l the costly gifts?

What questions did he raise for himself?

Language Points

Remuneration (para.7): [U] 酬金– The total ~ package, including bonuses and sto

ck options, is worth over $200,000.– It’s a demanding job which deserves adequate

~. Client (para.7):

– A salesman needs to understand his clients’ needs.

– On behalf of my ~, I would like to remind you of your obligations in this matter.

Language Points

Be meant for (para.8): design for a particular purpose– Those rooms are ~ for the children’s center.– I was ~ for you and you for me.– Chaplin was ~ for an actor.

Agitated (para.8): nervous– Her ~ knocking at the window went unheeded.– He sound very ~ on the phone.

Sentence Highlights

Translate the following sentences: What right did I have to accept all these gif

ts? Accepting them, how could I persuade myself that I was serving the community without remuneration?

我有什么权力接受所有这些礼品呢？接受这些礼品的话，我又如何说明自己是在为社区提供无偿服务呢？

Sentence Highlights

Explain the following sentence: It was difficult for me to forego gifts worth

hundreds, it was more difficult to keep them. (para.9)

It was difficult for me to find a way to deal with those gifts which worth hundreds of guineas, but it was more difficult for me to keep them.

Comprehension Check

Read Paragraph 10-11: What did the author decide to do with

these gifts? What were his reasons?

Language Points

Fast (para.11): firmly; with determination– Bolt the door ~.– His wheels were stuck ~.– Hold fast to this rope, and I will pull you up.

Infatuation (para.11): passion for– He was aware of his brother’s ~ with

motorcycles.– It’s only an ~; she’ll get over it soon enough.

把门闩紧。

Language Points

Trust (para.11): <n.>– The farm is a ~ which he holds for his dead

friend’s children. – The wealthy old man established a ~ in behalf

of his grandchildren. Incubus (para.11): nightmare; burden

– Debt is a big ~ in developing countries.– Efforts must be made to get rid of the ~ of

inflation.

为……代管的产业

设立了一个财产托管机构

Sentence Highlights

Translate the following sentences: We had been fast simplifying our life. How

then could we afford to have gold watches?

我们一直下决心要简化我们的生活，那么我们又怎能戴这些金表呢？

Sentence Highlights

Explain the following sentence: Even then I was exhorting people to conqu

er the infatuation for jewellery. (para.11) Even then I was trying to persuade peop

le to overcome the wild and foolish love for wealth.


Read Paragraph 12-15:

How did the children respond to the author’s decision? What did they agree to do?

Sentence Highlights

Explain the sentence: So I decided to constitute the my attorneys.

(para.12)

So I decided to make my children my attorneys so that they could help me persuade their mother.

Language Points

Constitute (para.12): give sb authority to hold a position 委任；任命– They ~d him chief adviser.– We ~ you our spokesman.

Part with (para.15): give up– He is willing to ~ with his right to vote. – In order to raise money she had to ~ with some

of her jewels.



Why did the author’s wife insist that they should keep the costly gifts?

Language Points

Dance to one’s tune (para.17): comply completely with sb’s demand– He knows that if he screams or shouts or thro

ws thing around he can make his parents ~ to his tune.

– Wouldn’t it be better if the home PC ~d to your tune?

Dance to another tune: 改弦易辙

Language Points

Be the last (para.17) ： be the least willing/ likely or desirable– She is the ~ woman I would marry on the earth

.– That’s the ~ thing I should expect him to do.

Torrent of (para.18): a large amount of– He overwhelmed me with a ~ of abuse.

他那连珠炮似的谩骂骂得我哑口无言。

Sentence Highlights

Explain the sentence below: Cajoled, they will dance to your tune.

(para.17)

As the children had been persuaded by praise and false promise, they will do whatever you tell them to do.

Sentence Highlights

Explain the sentence below: I would be the last person to part with gifts

so lovingly given. (para.17)

I would never part with gifts so lovingly given.

Sentence Highlights

Explain the sentence below: And thus the torrent of argument went on,

reinforced, in the end, by tears. (para.18)

My wife kept pouring out her argument in rather unpleasant language. As she asked, she became more and more emotional. In the end, she broke into tears.

Comprehension Check

Read Paragraph 19-22: What points did the author make in his arg

ument?

How did the author’s wife respond to what he said?

Language Points

Leave sb. in peace with (para.20)– He just wants to be left in peace.– How I wish to be left in peace with my pet dog

?

Make… of sb. (para.20): train…to be– His father wants to make a doctor of him.– He’s trying to make a poet of himself, but I do

n’t think he’ll make it.

Language Points

As good as (para.22): almost the same as– They were as good as penniless by the time

they returned home. Toil and moil (para.22): work extremely

hard with little pleasure– Don’t toil and moil every minute, otherwise

your health will be dangerous.– Who says we are to toil and moil for the

capitalist in this hell on earth?

Language Points

All and sundry (para.22): everyone– I don’t want all and sundry knowing about

our problems.– They’ve invited all and sundry to the

wedding. (=all kinds of people)

Slave (para.22): work hard without rest– I slaved all day over a hot stove to produce

this meal, and now they’ve hardly eaten any of it.

– We slaved always all week at the report.

Sentence Highlights

Explain the sentence below: You are trying to make sadhus of my boys

from today! (para.20)

You are trying to train my boys to be saints!

Sentence Highlights

Explain the sentence below: But service rendered by you is as good as

rendered by me. (para.22)

Your service to the community included my contribution, for I did all domestic chores to support you.

Sentence Highlights

Explain the sentence below: I have toiled and moiled for you day and

night. (para.22)

I have worked extremely hard with little pleasure for you day and night.

Sentence Highlights

Explain the sentence below: You forced all and sundry on me, making

me weep bitter tears, and I slaved for them! (para.22)

You forced everything/everyone on me, making me shed bitter tears, and I worked like a slave for them!

Comprehension Check

Read Paragraph 23:

Did the author get round his wife eventually?

Sentence Highlights

Explain the sentence below: These were pointed thrusts, and some of

them went home. (para.23)

These were sharp verbal attacks, some of which were very effective.

Language Points

Go home (para.23): go to the right place– The stone killed such a strong man beca

use it went home.– The president’s speech about the need fo

r saving power went home and everyone started turning off lights.

Cf: bring home to

Language Points

Thrust (para.23): attack in words– The ~ of his argument was that change was

needed.– He killed her with a ~ of the knife.

Translate: I somehow succeeded in extorting a consent from her. (para.23)

不管怎样，我总算勉强得到她的同意。

Comprehension Check


What did the author think a public worker should do about costly gifts? Why?

Language Points

Draw upon (para.24)– I’ll have to ~ upon my savings to pay for the

repairs.– A writer has to ~ on his imagination and

experience.

Operate (para.24)– A new late-night service is now operating.– France ~s a system of subsidized loans to

dairy farmers.

Language Points

Go by (para.25)– Two years went by.– She let the chance ~ by.

Save from (para.25)– If you lend me a dollar, it will ~ me from

having to go to the bank.– Will you go to the shop for me? It’ll ~ me a

trip.

Sentence Highlights

Explain the sentence below: The fund is still there, being operated upon

in times of need… (para.24)

The fund is still there, and people can use the money in times of need…

Rhetorical Devices

The Natal Indians bathed me with the nectar of love. (para.5)

…I had a sleepless night. (para.9) Transferred epithet （移就） And thus the torrent of argument went on. (

para.18) I have toiled and moiled… (para.22)

metaphor

metaphor

Synonymous pairs

Thank you!

To be continued.

Lesson 3: Overview

Translation practice Exercise highlight Oral practice

Translation Practice

I hope his appointment will simplify matters.

Efforts must be taken first to simplify the vast network of the government.

The subject is immensely complex, and hard to simplify.这个课题极为复杂，很难简化。

我希望他被任命之后事情会好办一些。

首先必须下大力气精简政府机构。


试着为了孩子们简化你的解释。

这些申请表现在已经被简化了。

这是政府为简化税法而进行的一次尝试。

Try to simplify your explanation for the children.

The application forms have now been simplified.

This is an attempt made by the government to simplify the tax law.


You can deposit your valuables in the hotel safe.

A large sum of money was deposited to his Swiss bank account.

I deposited my luggage in a locker at the station.

把贵重物品存放到旅馆的保险柜里。

一笔巨款项存入了他的瑞士银行账户。

我把行李存入了车站的一个寄存柜里。


Tenants are usually required to deposit $100 with the agent, in case of damage or default.

You have to deposit $50 to reserve the room.

He deposited $1000 on a new car.

房客通常要向房地产代理商缴纳一百美元押金，以防东西损坏或拖欠房租。

预订房间你得先付 50美元押金。

他先付了一千美元作为新车的定金。


As the river slows down it deposits rich soil at its bends.

Every surface was covered in dust deposited by the desert winds.

Sand was deposited which hardened into sandstone.

河水流速减慢时，有大量的沃土沉积在河的转弯处。

所有的表面都覆盖着由沙漠风吹积起的尘土。

沙经沉积固结成沙岩。


Where shall I deposit this pile of books?

Deposit a coin into the slot. She deposited herself in the

nearest chair. The bus deposited me miles

from anywhere. The cuckoo deposits her

eggs in other birds’ nests.

这堆书我该放在哪儿？把一枚硬币投入这个投

币口。她一屁股坐进最近的一

张椅子里。公交车把我撂在了一个

前不着村后不着店的地方。

那只布谷鸟把蛋下到了别的鸟的窝里。


The museum is going to be renovated extensively.

The cultural palace of our city has been newly renovated.

The small Arabian country has used its oil revenues to renovate the nation’s industrial structure.

He renovated old houses and sells them at a profit.

Translation Practice Selling your house can be a costly and time-

consuming business This is indeed the costliest war in our history. Mining can be costly in terms of lives. Building this bridge has already been too costly in

terms of lives. The six-month delay will be costly for the film

studio. These teaching methods are too costly in terms of

staff resources.

Translation Practice What time does the news come on/upon? When does the heating come on? Fear came upon him as he stood in the empty

house. Bad luck came upon us ever since we bought

that new car. I came upon this old photograph in the back of

the drawer. I came upon this book in the attic --- would

you like it?

Translation Practice It’s not easy to part with one’s favorite

possessions. He is willing to part with his right to vote. He hated to part with his money, even to buy a

house. It was sad to have to part with Grandmother’s

lovely old furniture, but we needed the money. Make sure you read the contract before you part

with any money. 你得先看清合同再交钱。

Translation Practice I’ll have to part company with you on that poi

nt. Weber parted company with Marx on a numbe

r of important issues. Sadly, we parted company with our fellow trav

elers at the end of the voyage; they had been such good friends.

The band have parted company with their manager. 乐队和经理人已经散伙了。

Translation Practice The railways have been deprived of the mone

y they need for modernization. They were imprisoned and deprived of their b

asic rights. Why should you deprive yourself of such sim

ple pleasures? 那次事故使他丧失了视力。He was deprived of his sight by the accident.

Translation Practice 担心孩子使他无法

入睡。火热的太阳使得花

儿失去了水分。他声称被剥夺了自

由。许多孩子仅仅因为

贫困而不能受到好的教育。

Worrying deprived him of sleep.

The hot sun deprived the flowers of water.

He claimed that he had been deprived of his freedom.

Many children are deprived of a good education simply because of poverty.

Translation Practice After many years of toiling and moiling

for other people, now he thinks is the time for him to enjoy his own life.

Don’t toil and moil every minute, otherwise your health will be dangerous.

Who says we are to toil and moil for the capitalist in this hell on earth?


The cheque has been drawn on the wrong account.

I’ll have to draw on my savings to pay for the repairs.

Feel free to draw on me for anything you need.

The novelist draws heavily on her personal experiences.

这位小说家以自己的亲身经历为素材。

Oral Practice

Suppose you were a public servant, what would you do about the bribes that had come upon you?

Suppose you were a businessman, do you think you would try bribing an official so that he would act in your interests?

Suppose you were a PhD candidate, would you try bribing your supervisor or a chief editor in order to get the degree?

Thank you!

The end.

Documents

Should a Public Worker Accept Costly Gifts? M. K. Gandhi Unit 15