英美短篇小_说unit_15_The_Desiree’s_Baby教材教学课件.pptVIP

Unit 15 Desirees Baby;Outline;About the author—Kate Chopin  (1851-1904);Important works;Chiefly interested in capturing the flavor of Louisiana life. Characters: Louisiana Creoles (法国和西班牙殖民者后裔)and Cajuns(加拿大定居的法国人后裔). The major concerns: The roles of women in society and the woman’s responsibilities to her family, her community, and herself. Women’s self-realization ;Literacy themes;Background——Terms:;Gender identity: refers to the self-awareness of one’s biological, social and cultural characteristics. It is the conformation and approval of one’s sexual identity. Gender identity is the internalisation of gender role, while gender role is the externalised form of gender identity; both are based on biological elements. Femininity: submissive, passive, mindless, emotional, sensual, fragile, nurturing, caring, relational, domestic and etc. Masculinity: aggressive, competitive, smart, strong-hearted, tough, rational, social, independent and etc. ;What roles did women play at Kate Chopin’s time?;Desirees Baby;“Désirée‘s Baby”focuses on Kate Chopins experience with the Creoles of Louisiana, where the idea of slavery and the atmosphere of plantation life were a reality. The possibility of ones having a mixed background was not unheard of. Mulattos, those with both black and white backgrounds, were common in the Southern part of the nation. The issue of racism that the story brings up was an indispensable truth in 19th century America; the dark reality of racism is on full, raw display in this story because Chopin was not afraid to address such issues that were often suppressed and intentionally ignored in order to avoid bitter actuality, as Armand does when he refuses to believe that he is of black descent. The definition of great fiction is that which has the only true subject of human existence in its subtle, complex, true meaning, stripped of the view with which ethical and conventional standards have draped it. ; Warming- up Questions