lesson12 The Kindness of Strangers 现代大学英语精读第一册课件.ppt

Lesson Twelve The Kindness of Strangers Introduction to the text Plot: The author traveled across the States alone to find out if people were willing to help strangers. Setting: People in the United States seem to have become more and more indifferent to other people’s needs. Protagonists: “I” and the people helping “I” Theme of the story The author of this article tries to tell people that based on his personal experience, one can still depend on the kindness of strangers in the United States. Structure of the text Part 1 (paras. 1— 4 ) about: The reason why the author decided to start on this journey. Part 2 (paras. 5 —7 ) about:The author’s plan for the trip. Part 3 (paras. 8 —11 ) about: The author was treated with kindness everywhere he went. Part 4 (paras.12 —15 ) about: The author’s experience at the Wilson’s. author Tennessee Williams (1911—1983) One of America’s greatest playwrights, and certainly the greatest ever from the South, Tennessee Williams wrote fiction and motion picture screenplays, but he is acclaimed primarily for his twenty-five full-length plays—nearly all of which are set in the South, but which at their best rise above regionalism to approach universal themes. States in the U.S.A 1. to come upon: to meet, find, or discover by chance or by accident During their trip they came upon an unknown animal. The other day, I came upon a very interesting book that deals with this issue. 2. to leave sb./sth. done: to make sb./sth. stay in a certain state They left the food untouched. Never leave the door unlocked. 3. gamble: a risky matter or act; play cards or other games for money e.g. I don’t know if I can rely on him, but I am willing to take a ~. ~ on: take the risk that sth will go well, or as one wishes, after doing sth that depends on it e.g. They carried out the robbery on Christmas Day, ~ing on no one being in the building. I’ll ~ on his honesty and lend him the money. gamble He lost lots of money ~ing at poker. He is ~ing