全新版大学英语第四册全新版大学英语第四册 0505

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CrueltyCruelty

In this Unit ,you will…In this Unit ,you will…★★Pre-reading taskPre-reading task★★ Text-analysisText-analysis★★ Words and expressionsWords and expressions★★ Class assignmentsClass assignments★★ Writing skillsWriting skills★★ HomeworkHomework

Does the narrator think our first impressions of a person are always right? Why or why not?

Text analysis:

Maugham, the famous British short story writer, shows us how powerful contrast is in delineating a person’s character. Upon first seeing the title, readers mayu think: “Oh, no. Another story about how people helped their friend in need!” However, when they finish reading it, readers will find it is an entirely different story: Those who appear to be friendly may turn out to be so evil-minded as to be ready to strike a cruel blow at a friend in need. Almost the entire Part II is devoted to the description of Edward Burton’s kindly appearance and pleasant manners. Neither the “I” in the story nor readers could imagine him hurting a fly. Yet in Part III Burton recounts cold-bloodedly how he destroyed a human life. Part I and Part II are narrated by “I”, who offers his subjective opinion of Burton’s character. Yet in Part III Burton himself takes over the narration to tell what happened beween him and a friend in trouble. He sounds cool and objective; just because of this he is shown to be so vicious and so cold-blooded. When contrasts abound, it is hard for readers to easily predict what will happen next.

1.deceptive:

likely to deceive; misleading

靠不住的 ;容易上当的

Examples: 1.The newspapers promised not to run deceptive ads in the future.2.The play is also an observation about the deceptive nature of appearances.

2.Instinct:

a tendency that one is born with to behave in a certain way without reasoning or training本能 ,直觉

Examples:1.It is the mother’s instinct to protect her children.2.I knew by instinct that he had come to deliver bad news.

hitherto:

(fml) until now; until a particular time 迄今 ,到目前为止

Examples:1.The Hope Project sent money to students hitherto unable to afford their tuition fees.2.The printing press made books available to people hitherto unable to afford them.3.Her has hitherto achieved great success in his career.

trifle:

a thing, a matter or an activity that has little value or importance 小事 ;琐事

Examples:1.My daughter always wastes her money on trifles.2.The couple often quarreled abo8ut some petty trifle connected with the housework.

for sb.’s (own) part/the part of : as far as sb. Is concerned

<examples>

1.For my part I prefer living in the country.

2.Some young students, for their part, can stay up late playing computer games.

in accordance with: in agreement or harmony with

1.Students will be criticized or punished if their behavior is not in accordance with school regulations.2.Some young people are self-centered, which is not in accordance with Chinese traditional values.

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Something of: to some degree

<examples>

1.It’s something of a disadvantage nowadays if you can’t use a computer.2.They haven’t got a loan from the bank, which is something of disappointment.

oddly enough: used to say that sth. Seems strange or surprising

<examples>

1.Children’s books, oddly enough, continued to have a big place in aretail sales.2.Oddly enough, some of the students don’t know how to log on the Internet.

in a way: to a certain extent but not entirely

<examples>

1.I agree with you in a way, but there are still some areas on which I can’t see eye to eye with you.

2.It’s easier for men to get work in a way.

with (a) bad/good grace: unwillingly and rudely/willingly and happily

<examples>

1.After I talked to him for an hour, he admitted his mistake with bad grace

2.My mentor accepted my invitation to dinner with a good grace.

go broke: have no money

<examples>

1.Many multinational companies went broke during the financial crisis, not to speak of small businesses.

2. He invested all his money in stocks; unfortunately he made one wrong choice after another and finally went broke.

down and out: having no money, home, etc.

<examples>

1.When he was down and out, none of his friends gave him a helping hand.

2. Shortly after his company was declared bandrupt, the manager became down and out.

be/go (all) to pieces: (of a person) have a breakdown; lose control of onesel

<examples>

1.I was attracted by the story of a housewife who went to pieces as one disaster followed another.

2. She nearly went to pieces when she heard that her husband was among those buries in the ruins of the World Trade Center.

drive at: be trying to say

<examples>

1.I have no idea what you’re driving at.

2. The teacher didn’t mention the word “cheating” but I knew what he was driving at.

be taken aback: be shocked or surprised

<examples>

1.She was taken aback when a man answered the phone.

2.I was taken aback when I found my computer was gone.

in bad/good condition: in bad/good health

<examples>

1. He is in good condition again after a long holiday.

2. In spite of the surgery he is still in bad conditon.

turn up: arrive; make one’s appearance

<examples>

1. He didn’t turn up until the end of the examination.

2. Some students always turn up late for class.