Unit 4

ContentsContents

Pre-reading questionsPre-reading questions Background informationBackground information Structure analysisStructure analysis Comprehension questionsComprehension questions Language points of Text ILanguage points of Text I Grammatical itemsGrammatical items ExercisesExercises Comprehension questions of Text IIComprehension questions of Text II Oral activitiesOral activities Writing practiceWriting practice

Text I Why I Want a WifeText I Why I Want a Wife

Pre-reading questionsPre-reading questions

1.What role does a wife usually play in a traditional Chinese family? What role does an American wife usually play in her family? Are there any similarities or differences between them?

2. Is there any change today in women’s status in China and around the world?

Background information (1)Background information (1)

About the text and the authorAbout the text and the author

Judy Syfers, born in 1937 in San Francisco, is a Judy Syfers, born in 1937 in San Francisco, is a feminist, political and environmental activist, anfeminist, political and environmental activist, and a freelance writer. Her classic satirical essay “ d a freelance writer. Her classic satirical essay “ Why I Want a Wife” was first published in Ms. Why I Want a Wife” was first published in Ms. Magazine in 1971 and was widely circulated in tMagazine in 1971 and was widely circulated in the women’s movement.he women’s movement.


Judy Syfers Judy Syfers Judy Syfers, who was born in San Francisco in 1Judy Syfers, who was born in San Francisco in 1

937, feels that the problems of American wives "937, feels that the problems of American wives " stem from a social system which places primary stem from a social system which places primary

value on profits rather than on people’ s needs. value on profits rather than on people’ s needs. As long as we continue to tolerate the system, wAs long as we continue to tolerate the system, we will continue to be exploited as workers and ase will continue to be exploited as workers and as

wives." wives."


Ms. Syfers received her B.F.A. in painting from the Ms. Syfers received her B.F.A. in painting from the University of lower in 1960. She wanted to go on to a University of lower in 1960. She wanted to go on to a higher degree that would enable her to paint and to higher degree that would enable her to paint and to teach in a university, but her (male) teachers advised teach in a university, but her (male) teachers advised that the best she could hope for as a woman was teachinthat the best she could hope for as a woman was teachin

g in high school . Her reaction was to drop school, get g in high school . Her reaction was to drop school, get married, and have two children. Thus the present piece, married, and have two children. Thus the present piece, which appeared in the Spring 1972 preview issue of Mwhich appeared in the Spring 1972 preview issue of Ms., arises from real experience.s., arises from real experience.


19371937 出生于旧金山的朱迪出生于旧金山的朱迪 ·· 赛菲丝（赛菲丝（ Judy SyferJudy Syferss ）认为美国妻子的根本问题是）认为美国妻子的根本问题是 :":" 美国社会的主流美国社会的主流价值观看重利益而不尊重人们的需要。只要我们继价值观看重利益而不尊重人们的需要。只要我们继续容忍这种社会制度，我们就会继续被当作劳工和续容忍这种社会制度，我们就会继续被当作劳工和妻子遭受剥削。妻子遭受剥削。 "" 赛菲丝夫人于赛菲丝夫人于 19601960 年获爱荷华年获爱荷华　州立大学美术学绘画专业学士学位。她想继续深　州立大学美术学绘画专业学士学位。她想继续深造获取更高学位，希望一边画画一边在大学教书。造获取更高学位，希望一边画画一边在大学教书。她的（男）同事建议，作为一个女人，最好是在中她的（男）同事建议，作为一个女人，最好是在中等教育水平的学校执教。但她根本不听，很快就结等教育水平的学校执教。但她根本不听，很快就结婚、生子婚、生子 ...... ......

Structure analysis of the text (1)Structure analysis of the text (1)

The writer uses a simple, straightforward style. By The writer uses a simple, straightforward style. By mentioning her encounter with a male friend of hers mentioning her encounter with a male friend of hers “fresh from a recent divorce, “ she introduces her major “fresh from a recent divorce, “ she introduces her major proposition- wives are taken for granted. Then she proposition- wives are taken for granted. Then she supports the argument with seemingly trivial things supports the argument with seemingly trivial things from daily life, which are carefully arranged so as to from daily life, which are carefully arranged so as to contribute to the conclusion.contribute to the conclusion.

Structure analysis of the text (2)Structure analysis of the text (2) Paragraph 1-2Paragraph 1-2 The writer introduces her identity in the first The writer introduces her identity in the first

paragraph and starts her bitter satire, in the paragraph and starts her bitter satire, in the second paragraph, on those men desiring for a second paragraph, on those men desiring for a wife who fits in with their ideal notions by wife who fits in with their ideal notions by pretending that she would like to have a wife pretending that she would like to have a wife with all possible virtues. Here are some with all possible virtues. Here are some questions to consider:questions to consider:


Paragraph 3-7Paragraph 3-7 Here Syfers divides a wife's duties and responsibHere Syfers divides a wife's duties and responsib

ilities into various functions or services accordinilities into various functions or services according to the ideal notions most men are likely to havg to the ideal notions most men are likely to have for a wife. e for a wife.


Paragraph 8-9Paragraph 8-9 The writer states a wife’s status in a family.The writer states a wife’s status in a family.

Comprehension questions (1)Comprehension questions (1)

Q1: How does the author account for family duties and Q1: How does the author account for family duties and household chores in a specific way? Sum them up and illustrate household chores in a specific way? Sum them up and illustrate them with examples of your own.them with examples of your own.

A1: Household chores are broken down into three parts A1: Household chores are broken down into three parts according to the husband’s needs. They are looking after his according to the husband’s needs. They are looking after his children, meeting his physical needs, and taking care of his social children, meeting his physical needs, and taking care of his social life. First, the wife is supposed to be the nurturing mother of his life. First, the wife is supposed to be the nurturing mother of his children-for instance, she has to take leave to nurse the sick child children-for instance, she has to take leave to nurse the sick child though she cannot lose her job. Second, the wife must meet the though she cannot lose her job. Second, the wife must meet the husband’s physical needs such as washing, cleaning, cooking, husband’s physical needs such as washing, cleaning, cooking, and she has to be on his beside when he is sick. Third, she must and she has to be on his beside when he is sick. Third, she must never overlook her duty for her husband’s social life. All these never overlook her duty for her husband’s social life. All these chores are for the benefit of the husband.chores are for the benefit of the husband.


Q2: What is a wife supposed to attend to in taking care Q2: What is a wife supposed to attend to in taking care of a child?of a child?

A2: According to Syfers, a wife has to take sole charge A2: According to Syfers, a wife has to take sole charge of child care while working. She has to feed the childreof child care while working. She has to feed the children properly and keep them clean; she has to arrange for tn properly and keep them clean; she has to arrange for their schooling and take care of their social life; she has their schooling and take care of their social life; she has to keep close track of their medical care and lose time at o keep close track of their medical care and lose time at work when needed to take care of the sick child though work when needed to take care of the sick child though she cannot lose her job. In a word, she has to be a full-tishe cannot lose her job. In a word, she has to be a full-time mother to her children. As for the father, his role anme mother to her children. As for the father, his role and duty can be overlooked.d duty can be overlooked.


Q3: What social duties is a wife required to assume according to Q3: What social duties is a wife required to assume according to the author?the author?

A3: According to Syfers, a wife’s social duties are all directed toA3: According to Syfers, a wife’s social duties are all directed towards the success of the husband’s social life. She has to make arwards the success of the husband’s social life. She has to make arrangements so that the children won’t be in the way when they hrangements so that the children won’t be in the way when they have a night out or have guests home. She has to clean the house, ave a night out or have guests home. She has to clean the house, prepare special meals, and attend to the needs of every guest so tprepare special meals, and attend to the needs of every guest so that they will feel comfortable. Apart from that, she has to understhat they will feel comfortable. Apart from that, she has to understand and accept the fact sometimes her husband needs a night out and and accept the fact sometimes her husband needs a night out by himself. As for the wife’s own social life, syfers mentions notby himself. As for the wife’s own social life, syfers mentions nothing, which implies the wife should have no social life of her owhing, which implies the wife should have no social life of her own at all.n at all.


Q4: What does the author say, both explicitly Q4: What does the author say, both explicitly and implicitly, about divorce?and implicitly, about divorce?

A4: The essay implies that a man or only a man A4: The essay implies that a man or only a man is at liberty to file for a divorce so as to replace is at liberty to file for a divorce so as to replace the old wife with a new one. A man comes out the old wife with a new one. A man comes out of a divorce free and fresh while a woman has to of a divorce free and fresh while a woman has to take the pain and responsibility to take care of take the pain and responsibility to take care of their children solely.their children solely.

Language points of Text I (1)Language points of Text I (1)

1. incidentally: 1. incidentally: in a way that was not planned, but as a result of in a way that was not planned, but as a result of

something else.something else. Quite incidentally , I got some information at the Quite incidentally , I got some information at the

party.party. The infectious are discovered only The infectious are discovered only incidentallyincidentally a a

t postmortem examination.t postmortem examination.


3. if need be : if necessary

We will come to your help if need be. If need be, we can take a second car to fit everyone in.


4. keep track of :

to have accurate and up-to-date information about something all the time

How do you manage to keep track of the latest economic development?

It's hard to keep track of time in here


5. make sure :5. make sure : to take action so that something will certainly happen (Ito take action so that something will certainly happen (I

n the object clause following n the object clause following make suremake sure, the verb usuall, the verb usually appears in the present tense but refers to the future timy appears in the present tense but refers to the future time.e.

Make sureMake sure that you get here before eight tomorrow mor that you get here before eight tomorrow morning.ning.

Before you start to fill in the form, Before you start to fill in the form, make suremake sure you fully you fully understand the instructions. understand the instructions.


6. peer : 6. peer : a person of the same age, class, position, etc. as a person of the same age, class, position, etc. as

oneselfoneself

It is hard to resist It is hard to resist peerpeer pressure. pressure. He is popular with his He is popular with his peerspeers..


7.7. rambling: rambling: (of a speech, writing) disordered and wandering(of a speech, writing) disordered and wandering

I've just had this I've just had this ramblingrambling,, incoherent letter fro incoherent letter from my sister.m my sister.

His actions were accompanied by a His actions were accompanied by a ramblingrambling mo monologue.nologue.


8. hors d'oeuvres8. hors d'oeuvres::

savory food served in small amounts at the begisavory food served in small amounts at the beginning of a mealnning of a meal


9. replenish : to fill up again9. replenish : to fill up again

Let me Let me replenishreplenish your glass.your glass. Food stocks were Food stocks were replenishedreplenished by imports from t by imports from t

he USA.he USA.


10. sensitive to : 10. sensitive to :

strongly or easily influenced or changed bystrongly or easily influenced or changed by She is She is sensitive tosensitive to the change of weather. the change of weather. His reply showed he was very His reply showed he was very sensitive tosensitive to

criticism.criticism.


11. clutter up : 11. clutter up :

to make untidy or confused, especially by filling to make untidy or confused, especially by filling with useless or unwanted thingswith useless or unwanted things

This room is so impressive that it would be a This room is so impressive that it would be a shame to shame to clutterclutter it it upup..

She says she deliberately tries not to She says she deliberately tries not to clutter upclutter up her mind.her mind.


12. entail : 12. entail : to make (an event or action) necessary; to involvto make (an event or action) necessary; to involv

ee The changed outlookThe changed outlook entails entails higher economic gr higher economic gr

owth than was previously assumed.owth than was previously assumed. Repairing the roof will Repairing the roof will entailentail spending a lot of m spending a lot of m

oney.oney.

Language points of Text I (12)Language points of Text I (12) 13. adherence to :13. adherence to : acting in accordance (with something)acting in accordance (with something);; followin followin

g (something)g (something)

He was noted for his strict He was noted for his strict adherence toadherence to the rules. the rules. The villagers' The villagers' adherence toadherence to their religious beliefs their religious beliefs

impressed all the visitors.impressed all the visitors.


14. monogamy : 14. monogamy :

the custom or practice of having only one wife othe custom or practice of having only one wife or husband at one time r husband at one time mono-SSHFmono-SSHF one, single one, single Other examplesOther examples:: monologue, monolingualmonologue, monolingual

Exercises (1)Exercises (1)

Translation exercisesTranslation exercises 这个公司主要是由刚刚从学校毕业的年轻人这个公司主要是由刚刚从学校毕业的年轻人

组成的。（组成的。（ fresh fromfresh from ）） This company is mostly composed of young peoThis company is mostly composed of young peo

ple fresh from school.ple fresh from school. 我从未想到他会做这种事情。我从未想到他会做这种事情。 (it occurs to so(it occurs to so

meone that) meone that) It never occurred to me that he would ever do suIt never occurred to me that he would ever do su

ch a thing.ch a thing.

在必要时，我会尽力去说服他的。在必要时，我会尽力去说服他的。 ( if need b( if need b

e)e) I’ll try my best to persuade him if need be.I’ll try my best to persuade him if need be. 毕业后，我要与同学保持联系很困难。毕业后，我要与同学保持联系很困难。 (keep (keep

track)track) It is difficult to keep track of my fellow students It is difficult to keep track of my fellow students

after graduation.after graduation.

谁将负责宴席后的甜食？谁将负责宴席后的甜食？ (see to)(see to) Who is going to see to the desserts after dinner?Who is going to see to the desserts after dinner? 不要用这种琐碎的小事去烦你的上司。不要用这种琐碎的小事去烦你的上司。 (both(both

er…with)er…with) Don’t bother your boss with such trifles.Don’t bother your boss with such trifles. 我的工作是不时的补充库存。我的工作是不时的补充库存。 (replenish)(replenish) My work was to replenish our stock time and agMy work was to replenish our stock time and ag

ain.ain. 他经常把书房搞得乱七八糟。他经常把书房搞得乱七八糟。 (clutter up)(clutter up) He often clutters up his study.He often clutters up his study.


Fill in the blank in each sentence with a word taken from the box in the Fill in the blank in each sentence with a word taken from the box in the proper form.proper form.

acquire classify quit adhere entail ramble arrange entertainReplenish assume passionately solely


The regulations are __________ designed to The regulations are __________ designed to control dangerous practices-they can’t eliminate control dangerous practices-they can’t eliminate them.them.

This job would _________ your learning how This job would _________ your learning how to use a computer. to use a computer.

The English love football and gardening ______, The English love football and gardening ______, don’t they. don’t they.

If there is no president, power will be ______ by If there is no president, power will be ______ by the most extremist forces.the most extremist forces.

solely

entail

Passionately

assumed


Seventy thousand tons of cereals are needed to Seventy thousand tons of cereals are needed to ____________ stocks.____________ stocks.

Sometimes the old man speaks sensibly; Sometimes the old man speaks sensibly; sometimes he ____________ .sometimes he ____________ .

An efficient worker must _________ to the An efficient worker must _________ to the schedule.schedule.

Is this the private dining room in which Mr. and Is this the private dining room in which Mr. and Mrs. Richardson used to _________ their Mrs. Richardson used to _________ their groups of friends?groups of friends?

replenish

ramblesadhere

entertain

Documents

Unit 4