Unit 4 Fun, Oh Boy. Fun. You Could Die from It. Suzanne Britt Jordan (interj.) used to express mild astonishment, praise, or disgust e.g. Oh boy—what

Unit 4Fun, Oh Boy. Fun. You Could Die from It.

Suzanne Britt Jordan

(interj.)(interj.) used to express mild used to express mild astonishment, praise, or astonishment, praise, or

disgustdisgust

e.g. Oh boy—what a surprise!e.g. Oh boy—what a surprise!

哦哦…………真令人吃惊真令人吃惊

Pre-reading questions

• 1.What is your definition of “FUN”?

• 2.Do you believe you are having fun in your life?

• 3.Do you think it is easy to have fun? Why?

Background information (1)Background information (1)

About the author: Born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and attended Salem College and Washington University. She has been a columnist for the Raleigh News and Observer and Stars and Stripes, European edition, and has written for other newspapers and newsmagazines.


Jordan’s books include a collection of essays, Show and Tell (1982); Skinny People Are Dull and Crunchy like Carrots (1982), an expansion of her essay "That Lean and Hungry Look"; and A Writer’s Rhetoric (1988), a college textbook. This essay originally appeared in the "My Turn" column of Newsweek magazine.

http://www.newsweek.com/


Puritans: Puritans refer to a group of radical English protestants( 新教徒） that arose in the late sixteenth century and became a major force in England during the 17th century. Puritans wanted to “purify” the Church of England by eliminating traces of its origins in the Roman Catholic Church. In addition, they urged a strict moral code and placed a high value on hard work. After the execution of King Charles I in 1649, they controlled the new government, the Commonwealth.


Oliver Cromwell, who became leader of the Commonwealth, is the best-known Puritans. Many Puritans, persecuted（迫害） in their homeland, came to America in the 1620s and 1630s, setting colonies that eventually became Massachusetts. The words puritan and puritanical have come to suggest a zeal for keeping people from enjoying themselves.

Background information (5)Background information (5)• The Puritan emphasis on simplicity of

worship, its asceticism (austerity and self-denial 禁欲主义 ), and its Sabbatarianism （严守安息日） remained influential into the 20th century. The Puritan devotion to popular education, high standards of morality, and many, if not all, democratic principles had an important effect on American life.

清教徒原指英国的一部分新教徒，他们大都倾向于资产阶级革命，像克伦威尔。后来分布变得更广泛，遍及美国。历史上将在英国的新教徒，那些信奉加尔文教义、不满英国国教教义的人称为清教徒。由于英国的宗教迫害，大部分清教徒逃亡到了美国，所以人们所说的清教徒，一般指在美国的清教徒。清教徒并不是一种宗教，而是一种态度，一种倾向，一种价值观，它是对信徒群体的一种统称。清教徒是最为虔诚，生活最为圣洁的新教徒，他们认为“人人皆祭司，人人有召唤”。认为每个个体可以直接与上帝交流，反对神甫集团的专横、腐败和繁文缛节、形式主义。他们主张简单、实在、上帝面前人人平等的信徒生活。

清教徒认为人必须要禁欲和勤俭节约。他们限制一切纵欲、享乐甚至消费行为。毫无疑问，清教徒运动对后世的影响是巨大的。清教徒精神所形成的现代文化，其许多重要方面，仍是当今社会的基础。尤其是美国的共和政体制度、美国文化精神，都深受清教徒运动的影响。可以说，没有清教徒，美国今天不会是这样的社会面貌。罗斯福总统在纪念五月花号清教徒的演说上说，“三百年前到达此地的五月花清教徒，改变了这一块土地的命运，也因而改变了这一个世界的命运。”现在清教徒也用来指那些主张禁欲的人或极端拘谨的人。

Structural analysis of the TextStructural analysis of the Text

The essay evaluates the “fun” side of the American culture in an ironic way. The first five paragraphs, which form the introduction to the essay, provide a stipulative ( 限定的 ) definition of “fun”. Then in the main body of the text, the writer gives an extended definition of it by pointing out what it is not. The essay concludes with an anecdote that further explains what fun is. To develop the definition, a number of methods have been employed, among which are narration, comparison and contrast.

Popularity and dominance of funPopularity and dominance of fun

Extended description of fun with pointing out what it is not

Her anecdote that further explains what fun is

Para 1-5

Para 12-15Para 6-11

negative affirmative

Compare and contrast

tone

eff

ect

•Highlights According to the author, fun is not a

family visit to Disney World; not is it celebrating big occasions. Fun is simple pleasure in life, which lies rather in one’s work and the fulfillment of one’s duty. The author points out that fun cannot be compared with duty and morality. People should not be obsessed with fun; instead they should devote themselves to their work and the fulfillment of one’s responsibility.

Page 61 , Ⅰ Ⅱ

Comprehension questions

Understanding the author’s ideas

Comprehension questions

1.How does advertising help to cultivate our fun-

seeking appetite?

2.How old was Jordan at the time she remembers

having and especially good time with her friend

Pam? Describe in your own words why she had

such a wonderful time that day.

3. What according to Jordan is fun?

4. Does Jordan think fun is as important as duty and

morality?

Comprehension questions Comprehension questions (1)(1)

1.How does advertising help to cultivate our fun-seeking appetite?

Advertisements help to develop modern people’s fun fetish by setting an example for us to follow and showing how much fun we can get from consuming all the items being advertised.

Comprehension questions (2)Comprehension questions (2)

2. How old was Jordan at the time she remembers having and especially good time with her friend Pam? Describe in your own words why she had such a wonderful time that day.

Jordan was twelve at the time she remembers having an especially wonderful time.

a fun night / look forward to /lots of candies/her friend/kept imitating a sailor’s posture and words/simple forms of fun/yet keen to a girl of 12


• 3. What according to Jordan is fun?

Fun is not a family visit to Disney World; nor is it celebrating big occasions. Fun is simple pleasure in life which lies rather in one’s work and the fulfillment of one’s duty.


• 4.Does Jordan think fun is as important as duty and morality?

( Para. 4 and 13), Fun cannot be compared with duty and

morality. People should not be obsessed with fun; instead they should devote themselves to their work and the fulfillment of their duties.

Understanding the Writer’s ideasUnderstanding the Writer’s ideas

• 1. The theme • Fun comes unexpectedly, it is not there for

the asking. Par. 13 provides the key elements of the thesis.

• 2. The first two paragraphs • are, in a way, definitions of “fun.” However,

these two sentences, either singly or together, do not sufficiently define the abstract concept which is the subject of the essay: The first (“fun is hard to have”) simply states the quality of the concepts; the second (“Fun is a rare jewel.”) makes a metaphorical comparison.


3. Para. 7-9 In the three paragraphs, Jordan mentions all sorts of

things that are “supposed” to be fun, but does so in a way to suggest that she certainly does not think of them as automatically being fun. For example,

In para. 7 she explains how “happy face” stickers are supposed to make “fun” out of something like a flunked test.

Para. 8 relates a vignette in which a kid does not respond in the right way to something which his or her parents are sure would be “fun.”

In para. 9 she becomes more serious in her irony by indicating that drug or alcohol abuse is sometimes a negative way of making “fun” out of times when life is not so thrilling.


• 4. Para.10 • The fact that we have accepted some things

as fun mainly because, through advertising or cultural assimilation, we have come to think of them as having to be fun although we may not actually derive any pleasure from them.

• 5. Jordan attempts to include in her definition and analysis the broad spectrum of objects, products, and activities which we have come to assume are fun, but may, in fact, not be so.


• 6. The tone • talky and slightly cynical( 愤世嫉俗

的） although essentially it remains a lighthearted irony through the use of conversational words and phrases. Among these are: sakes alive! (3); by Jove (5); flunking (7); this ain’t fun, ma (8); Golly gee (8); those rough-and-ready guys (10)


• 7. As in her use of “everybody” and “everything,”

Jordan is attempting to show us just how many things from so many different types of activities we take for granted as having to be fun.

In a way, she is trying to point out to us that we are often much too unselective in our evaluations of “fun.”

Para. 6 and 10 are especially effective for their use of multiple examples.


• 8. Para. 12 serves as a transitional paragraph, whereas

par. 13 is the first one to be mostly affirmative (“It is a mystery.”) The switch turns the tone of the essay from ironic or cynical to more serious and reminiscent of fun times in the past

• 9. Disney World (8); Polaroids (10); Bit-O-Honey, Chunky, M & M’s (14).

• By using specific brand names, she brings specificity and familiarity to her illustrations.


• 10. Narration is used to illustrate aspects of the concept of “fun.”

• Para. 8 is the imagined story of a kid with his or her parents in Disney World.

• Para. 14 narrates a fun time Jordan had with her childhood friend, Pam. The narration of her childhood memory adds a nice, personal touch to the essay.


• 11. The beginning and the end

• Perhaps she wants her readers to begin and end this essay with the idea that “fun” is really quite simple—not so complicated and busy as all the “things” she describes in the body of the essay.

• Simple and direct as they are, the two statements are effective enough to convey the message that fun is a rare jewel, but fun could also be easy to have if we treat it properly.

Detailed study of text I

Part 1.

• What is the thesis statement of the essay?

• What technique does the author employ in this

part of the essay?

• In paragraph 4, a series of questions has been

raised, what’s the effect of it?

Q1:What is the thesis statement of the essay?

Fun is hard to have. Fun is a rare jewel.

Q2:What technique does the author employ in this

part of the essay?

The author uses definition, comparison and a series of

questions to introduce the topic.

Q3:In paragraph 4, a series of questions has been

raised, what’s the effect of it?

Jordan points out that fun has become the major concern of

people. It has outweighed many other questions.

Somewhere along the line ： informal during the time that you are involved in an

activity or process; at some point in time; at some point

during a period or an activity.

★Somewhere along the line, Errol seemed to have lost

interest in her marriage.

★Somewhere along the line I made the switch and was able to

look at the bight side rather than the dark side all the time.

Now I look at everything I have and think how lucky I am.

Somewhere along the line people got the modern idea

that fun was there for the asking, that people deserved

fun, that if we didn’t have a little fun every day we

would turn into (sakes alive!) puritans.

Sometimes in our life people had the idea that we could

find fun everywhere, that it is only natural for people to

have fun, and that if we didn’t have a little fun every

day, we would become (for Heaven’s sake, be alive)

puritans, who have a killjoy ( 扫兴的人 ) way of life.

Paraphrase:Paraphrase:

Overshadow:Overshadow:1. to be more important or significant by comparison,

★ For years he overshadowed his brother. ★ Her success has been overshadowed by her fears for her daughter, Maggie.

2. to cast a shadow over; cover with shadows, clouds, darkness, etc. ★ clouds overshadowing the moon. ★ The tall tree overshadowed the house.

3. to make sad or hang heavily over; cast a pall on, ★ a disappointment that overshadowed their last years. ★ The tragedy overshadowed the couple’s happiness.

毫无疑问，莎士比亚使各个时代的剧作家相形见绌。

fetish fetish

1. excessive or irrational devotion to some activity; ★ made a fetish of cleanliness.

★ Sue has a real fetish about keeping everything tidy.

★ The movie shows a beautiful lady who has a strange fetish for Spaghetti…

★ There are several reasons a fetish for smoking exists.

2. A charm superstitiously believed to embody magical powers

年轻人容易盲目崇拜迷人的体育和娱乐圈明星。


Part II

What style does Jordan create and how does she create

it?

What are some of the things that do not provide fun

according to Jordan?

How do some people manage to have fun?

What relationship does the use of drugs and alcohol

have to our difficulties in having fun today?

What is the relationship between big occasions and the

experience of fun?

Q1:What style does Jordan create and how does she create it?

A very conversational style

Q2:What are some of the things that do not provide fun according to Jordan?

Failing in a test, dirty bumpers, and sticky refrigerator doors

Q3:How do some people manage to have fun?

Resort to thrilling ways such as adventures, immoral actions,

crimes or alcohol

Q4:What relationship does the use of drugs and alcohol have to our difficulties in having fun today?

Today as people live under unprecedented stress, they can

hardly relax and monotonous routine work is not in the least

exciting for them. Only when they indulge themselves in drugs and

alcohol can they forget the worries of the day and have a little fun.

Q5:What is the relationship between big occasions and the experience of fun?

With high expectations of fun, people are not contented

with the joy that big occasions such as holidays, weddings or

birthdays bring them. To make up for the inadequacy of fun

and joy, they live in expectation of the next big occasion which

might bring them excitement.

flunk: to fail, especially (in) a course or an exam

The boy was upset because he flunked (in) an

English Exam.

-- To give a failing grade to.

Flunk out: to expel or be expelled from a school or a course because of work that does not meet required standards.

traipse v.

(informal) walk wearily; trudge

我们用了一下午的时间逛商店，疲惫不堪地逛了一家又一家。

We spent the afternoon traipsing from one shop to another.

step up=speed up

We should step up the speed of the machine.

We will be stepping up production to meet the increased demand.

One way was to step up the level of danger or licentiousness or alcohol or drug consumption so that you could be sure that, no matter what, you would manage to have a little fun.

Paraphrase:

In order to have a little fun under the stress of modern life, people indulged themselves even more intensively in dangerous adventures and excessive sex, alcohol and drugs.

办法之一就是去尝试更危险的事，过更放荡的生活，摄入更多的酒精和毒品，好让自己知道无论情况如何，总能想法儿找到点儿乐子。

Polaroid: A camera that takes a picture and prints it after a few seconds, or a photograph taken with this type of camera. Polaroid is the trademark of the first camera of this kind in the world.

swill v.1) to drink greedily or grossly2) to flood with water, as for washing

Collocation:

swill sth. (out / down)swill around / over / through

swill n.

1) a mixture of liquid and solid food, such as table scraps, fed to animals, especially pigs; slop

2) kitchen waste; garbage3) a deep draft of liquor4) nonsense; rubbish

rough-and-ready –adjective

1. rough, rude, or crude, but good enough for the purpose:

★ a rough-and-ready estimate of future expenses. It is helpful to begin with a rough-and-ready

classification.

2. exhibiting or showing rough vigor rather than refinement or delicacy:

★ a cowboy—the rough-and-ready type.

epitome n.

1) person or thing that is a perfect example of a quality, type, etc.

2) thing that shows on a small scale all the characteristics of sth. much larger

3) short summary of a book, speech, etc.

This is the absolute epitome of a school teacher.

The center an epitome of Beijing’s environment treatment.

epitomize v.

be an epitome of (sth.)

He epitomizes everything I dislike.

《了不起的盖茨比》（ The Great Gatsby ）被普遍认为是美国上世纪爵士时代的缩影。

–dom:

• 1) the state of being sth., freedom, wisdom

• 2) a. a particular rank, an earldom/ dukedom

• b. an area ruled by a particular type of person, a kingdom

• 3) inf. All the people who share the same set of interests, have the same job, etc.,officialdom, yuppiedom (uncountable nouns)

go through:

1) suffer or experience sth. bad, e.g.

How does she keep smiling after all she’s gone through?

2) to use sth. and have none left, e.g.

Austria was so expensive – we went through all our money

in one week.

3) a law was accepted, e.g.

The Bill went through Parliament without a vote. ( 法案未经表决就在议会通过了。 )

4) look at or for sth. carefully, e.g.

Dave went through all his pockets looking for the keys.


According to Jordan, how should we treat fun?

How does Jordan develop paragraph 13?

What does “It may even come on a Tuesday” mean?

Why does Jordan use an anecdote to conclude her essay?

Two simple, direct statements are used to begin and end

the essay, what is the effect of these statement?

An imaginary event is presented in paragraph 8 and a

real event in paragraph 14. what’s the function of the

narration of these two events?

Part IIIPart III

Q: According to Jordan, how should we treat fun?

We should treat fun respectfully. Fun is not supposed to be

found everywhere. It is highly unlikely that we get fun out of

everything.

Q: How does Jordan develop paragraph 13?

To develop the idea, the author uses definition : it is a mystery,

comparison and contrast, even personification and simile.

Q: What does “It may even come on a Tuesday” mean?

Tuesday is a workday, the day following Blue Monday. It is

commonly regarded as an ordinary day when everyone is

supposed to be doing routine work.

Q4:Why does Jordan use an anecdote to conclude her essay?Suggest it is easier for children to have fun than it is for grown-ups.

Q5: Two simple, direct statements are used to begin and end the essay, what is the effect of these statement?

The 3 statements are effective enough to convey the message that

fun is rare jewel, but fun could also be easy to have if we treat it

properly.

Q6: An imaginary event is presented in paragraph 8 and a real event in paragraph 14. what’s the function of the narration of these two events?

With a comparison of these events, the author suggests that what is

supposed to be fun may not be fun. The simple joy of life is the real

fun people can have.

It occurred to me, while I was sitting around waiting

for the fun to start, that not much is, and that I

should tell you just in case you’re worried about

your fun capacity.

When I was sitting around waiting for the fun to

start, I suddenly thought of one thing: not much is

fun. I tell you this for fear that you might be worried

about your ability to find fun in life.

Paraphrase:

damper n.

1) (informal) sth. that stops an occasion from being as enjoyable as it was intended to be

2) movable metal plate that controls the flow of air into a fire in a stove, furnace, etc.

3) small pad that is pressed against a piano-string to stop it vibrating

Idiom:put a damper on sth.: cause (an event, atmosphere, etc.) to be less cheerful, excited, etc.

Their argument put a bit of damper on the party.

你最好不要对他去哈佛大学深造的热情泼冷水。

mirth n.

(formal) merriment or happiness; laughter

mirthful adj.

Antonym:

mirthless adj.

她那滑稽的服装引得客人哄堂大笑。

Her funny costume caused much mirth among the guests.

Word Derivation

Vocabulary Translation Integrated SkillsOral ActivitiesWriting ListeningGrammar

Adverbial Clauses of Cause and Effect

Tense

1) insure v. → insurance n. → insured n.&a.

保险公司可以给你保寿险。

未投保者需自付修理费。

投保人需支付一定比例的医药费。


An insurance company will insure your life.

People without insurance had to pay for their own repairs.

The insured are required to pay a portion of all medical bills.

e.g.


2) deserve v. → undeserved a. → deserving a.

这篇文章值得仔细研究。

他有罗密欧之称是名不副实的。

值得同情的

The article deserves careful study.

His reputation as a Romeo is quite undeserved.

be deserving of sympathy

e.g.


3) generous a. → generosity n. → generously adv.

贤明的统治者在胜利时能宽宏大量。

他的慷慨在困境中表现了出来。

请慷慨施予。

A wise ruler is generous in victory.

His generosity manifests itself in times of need.

Please give generously.

e.g.


4) benefit n. / v. → beneficial a.

新规章对我们大家都会大有好处。

这些设施使全城受益。

新鲜空气有益健康。

The new regulations will be of great benefit to us all.

These facilities have benefited the whole town.

Fresh air is beneficial to one’s health.

e.g.


5) regret n. / v.→ regrettable a.

我听到他去世的消息感到万分悲痛。

很抱歉，此事我爱莫能助。

她粗俗无礼，令人遗憾。

I heard of his death with great regret.

I regret that I cannot help.

Her rudeness was highly regrettable.

e.g.

6) mirth n. → mirthful a. → mirthless a.

圣诞节是个快乐的日子，尤其是对孩子们。

她那滑稽的装束引得客人哄堂大笑。

苦笑


Christmas is a time of mirth, especially for children.

Her funny costume caused much mirthful laughter among the guests.

a mirthless laugh

e.g.


7) blaspheme v. → blasphemy n. → blasphemous a.

他醉酒后总是骂骂咧咧，诅天咒地。

谋杀和亵渎神明都是不可饶恕的大罪。

满屋的人都对他那亵渎神明的语言感到愤慨。

He always swears and blasphemes when he’s drunk.

Murder and blasphemy are mortal sins.

The people in the room were shocked by his blasphemous language.

e.g.


8) revere v. → reverence n. → reverent a.

那教授学识渊博备受敬重。

他脱下帽子表示敬意。

恭敬的态度﹑姿势等

The professor was revered for his immense learning.

He removed his hat as a sign of reverence.

reverent attitudes, gestures, etc.

e.g.

Adverbial Clauses of Cause and Effect This type of clause explains the reasons for what happens in the main clauses. Conjunctions, like because, as, since, now (that), are often used in the adverbial clauses of cause.

Conjunctions ：

because , since , as , for , now that

关于 because(1)because 表示的原因是必然的因果关系，语

气最强，通常放在主句之后，有时也放在主句之前。

You want to know why I am leaving? I am leaving because I am fed up.

(2) 回答 why 提出的问题，只能用 because, 不能用其余三者。

A ： Why can’t I go? 　 B ： Because you are too young.

(3)because 引导的从句可用于强调句，其余不能。 It’s because he is kind that we like him.

(4)because 从句可用作表语，其余不能。 This is because the earth is traveling around the sun.

(5) 表示“……的原因是因为……”这一意义时，一般要用 The reason why…is that…如：The reason why he cannot come is that he is ill. 他不

关于 since

since 引导的原因状语从句一般放于主句之前 , 表示已知的、显然的理由 ( 通常被翻译成“既然” ) ，较为正式 , 语气比 because弱。

例如： Since you are free today, you had better help me with my mathematics. 既然今天你休息，你最好帮我补习数学。

since 可用于省略句，而其它不能。如：Since so, there is no more to be said.

　关于 as

as 引导原因状语从句时表示附带说明的“双方已知的原因”，语气比 since弱，较为正式，位置较为灵活 ( 常放于主句之前 ) 。

例如： As it is raining, you’d better take a taxi.

既然在下雨，你最好乘出租汽车。

I went to bed early, as I was exhausted.

我睡得早，因为我筋疲力尽了。

关于 for(1)for 是并列连词 ( 其他为从属连词 ) ，它有时可表示因果关系 ( 只能放在主句之后 )是对前面分句的内容加以解释。如：It rained last night, for the ground is wet this morning.

(2)for“因为 ,由于”表明附加或推断的理由，引导的分句前常有逗号。 for 分句不放句首 .是用来附带解释或说明前一分句的原因和理由。例如： Day breaks, for the bird sings.

关于 now that

now that 用来说明一种新情况，然后加以推论。• Now that you are ready, we'll start at once.

既然你已经准备好了，我们马上开始。

注意：汉语习惯上说“因为……所以”，但英语却不能将 because, since, as, for 等与 so( 所以 ) 连用。

PracticeChoose the best answer.1. Because he was tired, he scored poorly on the

exam, into the university.a. this will cause him to not be admittedb. this is a fact which will cause him to not be admittedc. which will cause him to not be admittedd. which will cause him to not admit

2. the TOEFL with a score of 550, he will be admitted into the university.a. Now that he passesb. That he has passedc. Now, he has passedd. Now that he has passed

Vocabulary Translation Integrated SkillsOral ActivitiesWritingGrammar

c___

d___


3. Since July 4th is a holiday, have to go to work.a. so we do notb. we do notc. as a result, we do notd. thus, we do not

4. You yourself had to go back to Saudi Arabia to take care of some business in his own company.a. and he neededb. because he neededc. which he neededd. because he need

b___

b___


5. have to work today, we should go to Laguna Beach.a. For we do notb. We do notc. Since we do notd. Since we do no

6. Fabiana will not go to work today a bit ill.a. , she isb. because shec. because she isd. which is she is

c___

c___


7. , the temperature should begin dropping.a. Now that the sun settingb. Now that the sun setc. The sun settingd. Now that the sun has set

8. is important since most professional jobs require writing skills.a. Learn how to writeb. Learning how writec. Learning how to writed. Learning how to write it is

d___

c___


9. , the research paper is beneficial to students since it requires them to critically think, read, and write about a specific body of knowledge in which they have an interest.a. A requirement at most universitiesb. It is a requirement at most universitiesc. A requirement at most universities it isd. Requirement at most universities

a___


Tense Tense is a grammatical category that locates a situation in time and indicates when the situation takes place. In languages which have tense, it is usually indicated by a verb or modal verb, often combined with categories such as aspect, mood, and voice. Tense places temporal references along a conceptual timeline. This differs from “aspect”, which encodes how a situation or action occurs in time rather than “when”. Typical tenses are present, past, and future.

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Unit 4 Fun, Oh Boy. Fun. You Could Die from It. Suzanne Britt Jordan (interj.) used to express mild astonishment, praise, or disgust e.g. Oh boy—what