A Winter to A Winter to RememberRemember

if winter comes, can Spring be far behind?

郧阳师专英语系综合英语教研室

Type of the text Type of the text

• This is a short piece of This is a short piece of narrative writing about narrative writing about an unforgettable Winter.an unforgettable Winter.

• Millions have gone Millions have gone through winters over and through winters over and over again but few have over again but few have experienced a winter as experienced a winter as is described in the is described in the passage. passage.

• Basic elements of narrationBasic elements of narration• Time—early January to late March Time—early January to late March • Place—in the depth of the country Place—in the depth of the country • Unpleasant memoriesUnpleasant memories• OutsideOutside• 1.beautiful snow scene turned into ugly frost bound si1.beautiful snow scene turned into ugly frost bound si

ghtght• 2.Birds growing tamer and waiting at the doorstep2.Birds growing tamer and waiting at the doorstep• 3.water frozen almost instantly3.water frozen almost instantly• Inside Inside • 1.central heating inadequate and unco--operative; oil-1.central heating inadequate and unco--operative; oil-

stove unavailable stove unavailable • 3. water-pipes frozen3. water-pipes frozen• 4.sitting inside in overcoats4.sitting inside in overcoats• On good thing—eggs not broken when droppedOn good thing—eggs not broken when dropped• The thaw—water squirting from pipes bringing about a The thaw—water squirting from pipes bringing about a

flood. flood.

Detailed study of the text Detailed study of the text

• According to the weather men last According to the weather men last winter was one of the worst in winter was one of the worst in living memory.living memory.

• According to /according as According to /according as • Please indict what’s wrong with the Please indict what’s wrong with the following sentences.following sentences.

• According to my opinion, Mr. Smith According to my opinion, Mr. Smith will not come today.will not come today.

• Attention: according to always Attention: according to always followed by him or her.followed by him or her.

• In my opinion, Mr. Smith will not In my opinion, Mr. Smith will not come today.come today.

• According as +clause According as +clause • you will be praised or criticized you will be praised or criticized according as your work is good or according as your work is good or bad.bad.

• According as +clause According as +clause • you will be praised or criticized according as yyou will be praised or criticized according as y

our work is good or bad.our work is good or bad.• In living memory---in the years which can be remIn living memory---in the years which can be rem

embered by people still aliveembered by people still alive• Here the author employed a figure of speech---trHere the author employed a figure of speech---tr

ansferred epithet .ansferred epithet .• 将本应该用来修饰某一类名词的修饰语用来修饰另一类将本应该用来修饰某一类名词的修饰语用来修饰另一类

名词。例如：名词。例如：There was a short, thoughtful silence. There was a short, thoughtful silence. 出现了一出现了一阵短暂的、令人沉思的寂静。 阵短暂的、令人沉思的寂静。 The old man put a reassuring hand on my shoulder.The old man put a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

• 老人把一只令人安心的手放在我的肩膀上。 老人把一只令人安心的手放在我的肩膀上。 He closed his busy life at the age of sixty. He closed his busy life at the age of sixty. 在在六十岁时他结束了他那忙碌的一生。六十岁时他结束了他那忙碌的一生。This is the cheapest market in this country. This is the cheapest market in this country. 这这是这个国家最便宜的市场了是这个国家最便宜的市场了

• We live in the depths of the country, and my We live in the depths of the country, and my whole family agree that it was Certainly a whole family agree that it was Certainly a inter we shall never forget. Snow began to inter we shall never forget. Snow began to fall at round about the beginning of the new fall at round about the beginning of the new year and continued on and off for year and continued on and off for approximately ten days.approximately ten days.

• In the depths of the country—in the In the depths of the country—in the very remote part of the country.very remote part of the country.

• The depths of the country are the The depths of the country are the parts of the countryside which are Far parts of the countryside which are Far from cities and towns. The depths from cities and towns. The depths (plural) may also mean ”the deepest or (plural) may also mean ”the deepest or the worst part of something”, the worst part of something”,

• In the depths of the ocean/in the In the depths of the ocean/in the depths of winter/in the depths of depths of winter/in the depths of despair. despair.

• My whole family— family is a collective noun, dMy whole family— family is a collective noun, denoting a group of individuals considered as one enoting a group of individuals considered as one complete whole. complete whole.

• More examples of collective nouns of this type: More examples of collective nouns of this type: • A crowd of people /a team of football players /tA crowd of people /a team of football players /t

he board of directors he board of directors • The whole class/ the entire army .The whole class/ the entire army .• On and off ---sometimes we can use another versiOn and off ---sometimes we can use another versi

on to replace “ on and off” --- “off and on”on to replace “ on and off” --- “off and on”• On and on ---continuously On and on ---continuously • They talked on and on last night in the dormitorThey talked on and on last night in the dormitor

y. y. • We live in the depths of the country—we live soWe live in the depths of the country—we live so

mewhere in the countryside which is a long way fmewhere in the countryside which is a long way from any town. rom any town.

• At first we were all thrilled to see it. At first we were all thrilled to see it. It fell silently and relentlessly in It fell silently and relentlessly in large soft flakes Until every ugly patch large soft flakes Until every ugly patch and corner of our rather rambling garden and corner of our rather rambling garden was smoothed over And had become a was smoothed over And had become a spotless white canopy. spotless white canopy.

• Thrill—heart thrillerThrill—heart thriller• The heart thriller refers to that kind The heart thriller refers to that kind

of people who can make other people feel of people who can make other people feel • Thrill. Thrill. • Thrill—to have or cause to have sudden Thrill—to have or cause to have sudden

sharp feeling of excitementsharp feeling of excitement• Relentless—showing or promising no Relentless—showing or promising no

abatement of severity, intensity, or abatement of severity, intensity, or pace. pace.

• It fell silently and relentlessly in large soft It fell silently and relentlessly in large soft flakes Until every ugly patch and corner of our flakes Until every ugly patch and corner of our rather rambling garden was smoothed over And had rather rambling garden was smoothed over And had become a spotless white canopy.become a spotless white canopy.

• Large , soft flakes of snow fell heavily but quiLarge , soft flakes of snow fell heavily but quietly ; as a result, our garden, which was overgretly ; as a result, our garden, which was overgrown with plants and which was dirty and untidy iown with plants and which was dirty and untidy in places, looked very smooth, like a completely n places, looked very smooth, like a completely clean white sheet. clean white sheet.

• Canopy—dense/thick a thick canopy of branches/oCanopy—dense/thick a thick canopy of branches/or sometimes we use the following words to modify r sometimes we use the following words to modify canopy : forest/leafy/tree canopy : forest/leafy/tree

• The trees formed a leafy canopy above their headThe trees formed a leafy canopy above their heads. s.

• The children soon spoilt its beautThe children soon spoilt its beauty by having snowball fights and ley by having snowball fights and leaving their footprints all over it.aving their footprints all over it.

• Spoil—make sth useless/unsuccessfSpoil—make sth useless/unsuccessful/not very good ul/not very good

• Her selfish behavior completely spHer selfish behavior completely spoiled the evening. oiled the evening.

• Those children are thoroughly spoiThose children are thoroughly spoilt!lt!

• hungry birds too, in search of scraps of food, hungry birds too, in search of scraps of food, made delicate impressions on its surface. made delicate impressions on its surface.

• Scrap—a small piece, bit Scrap—a small piece, bit • She carefully scraped away the top layer of She carefully scraped away the top layer of

paint.paint.• He scraped the car against the garage wall.He scraped the car against the garage wall.• The wood had been scraped clean.The wood had been scraped clean.• Delicate—soft, tender, of fine or thin material;Delicate—soft, tender, of fine or thin material;• As delicate as silk/ the delicate skin of a As delicate as silk/ the delicate skin of a

young girl.young girl.• Chicken is more delicate than beef.Chicken is more delicate than beef.• Impression—effect produced on the mind or Impression—effect produced on the mind or

feelingsfeelings• What were your first impressions of London?What were your first impressions of London?• The speech made a strong impression on the The speech made a strong impression on the

HouseHouse..

• It was now, when the garden was all It was now, when the garden was all churned up and of a dirty grey color, churned up and of a dirty grey color, that a severe frost set in, hardening that a severe frost set in, hardening the snow into ugly lumps of grimy the snow into ugly lumps of grimy concrete.concrete.

• The garden was all churned up—referring The garden was all churned up—referring to the snow in the garden which was to the snow in the garden which was turned upside down and inside out turned upside down and inside out

• Of—that has a certain quality. It is Of—that has a certain quality. It is also correct to say “when the garden also correct to say “when the garden was…a dirty grey color.”.was…a dirty grey color.”.

• Set in---begin and continue Set in---begin and continue • As he had not taken enough care of the As he had not taken enough care of the

cut, a serious infection set in.cut, a serious infection set in.• A heavy snowstorm set in before the A heavy snowstorm set in before the

small fishing—boat reached the shore.small fishing—boat reached the shore.

• This sentence is emphatic sentence.This sentence is emphatic sentence.• Lump—mass, usu. Without a regular shape . Lump—mass, usu. Without a regular shape . • A lump of sugarA lump of sugar• A lump sum—one payment for a number of A lump sum—one payment for a number of

separate sums that are owedseparate sums that are owed• In the lump—added together; taken as a whole. In the lump—added together; taken as a whole. • Have a lump in the throat—a feeling of Have a lump in the throat—a feeling of

pressure pressure • Grim—stern; severe; forbidding; without mercyGrim—stern; severe; forbidding; without mercy• A grim joke/story ---one with an element of A grim joke/story ---one with an element of

cruelty in it.cruelty in it.• Concrete—form into a mass; solidify Concrete—form into a mass; solidify • After the children had had snowball fights in After the children had had snowball fights in

the garden, the snow turned into slush and the garden, the snow turned into slush and its color became a dirty grey. Just then it its color became a dirty grey. Just then it became severely cold and the snow froze hard became severely cold and the snow froze hard and looked like large pieces of dirty and looked like large pieces of dirty concrete. concrete.

• for the next three months the whole for the next three months the whole countryside lay in a grip of iron.countryside lay in a grip of iron.

• Why did the writer say that the whole Why did the writer say that the whole countryside lay in a grip of iron?countryside lay in a grip of iron?

• The whole countryside—the earth, the river, The whole countryside—the earth, the river, the gardens, the farms—was frozen solid, so the gardens, the farms—was frozen solid, so solid that the countryside seemed to be solid that the countryside seemed to be kept in the firm hold of iron. kept in the firm hold of iron.

• The whole countryside lay in a grip of ironThe whole countryside lay in a grip of iron—the whole countryside was hardened by ice. —the whole countryside was hardened by ice. A grip of iron is a metaphor meaning “ a A grip of iron is a metaphor meaning “ a very solid mass.”very solid mass.”

• Lay in---provide oneself with a stock of Lay in---provide oneself with a stock of • Lay in stores for the winterLay in stores for the winter• Lay in provisionsLay in provisions

• Every day the birds grew tamer, often Every day the birds grew tamer, often waiting hopefully almost on our backdoor waiting hopefully almost on our backdoor step. step.

• Why the birds grow tamer? Why the birds grow tamer? • As it was severely cold and everything was As it was severely cold and everything was

frozen, the birds had no way of getting frozen, the birds had no way of getting anything to eat, so they grew tamer and anything to eat, so they grew tamer and tamer so long as the frost lasted. tamer so long as the frost lasted.

• Tame ---1.(of animals) used to living with Tame ---1.(of animals) used to living with human beings; not wild or fiercehuman beings; not wild or fierce

• A tame monkeyA tame monkey• 2. (of a person) spiritless; submissive2. (of a person) spiritless; submissive• Her husband is a tame litter man. Her husband is a tame litter man. • 3. dull 3. dull • A tame baseball match, A tame baseball match, • The story has a tame ending. The story has a tame ending.

• We fed them with bits of cheese, chopped up meat We fed them with bits of cheese, chopped up meat and any leftovers we had. We also put out bowls and any leftovers we had. We also put out bowls of water, which unfortunately within an hour had of water, which unfortunately within an hour had frozen solid.frozen solid.

• Cheese—solid food made from milk curds;Cheese—solid food made from milk curds;• Cheese-paring---excessive carefulness in the speCheese-paring---excessive carefulness in the spe

nding of money. nding of money. • Cheese—paring economies. Cheese—paring economies. 吝啬的节俭．吝啬的节俭．• Tiramisu Tiramisu －－ a delicious Italian style cake . The a delicious Italian style cake . The

original meaning of this cake refers “ bring me original meaning of this cake refers “ bring me away.” Chop up—cut by blows with an axe or othaway.” Chop up—cut by blows with an axe or other edged tooler edged tool

• Meat is often chopped up (cut into small bits) bMeat is often chopped up (cut into small bits) before being cooked. efore being cooked.

• Leftovers—what is left, unwanted or of little vLeftovers—what is left, unwanted or of little value.alue.

• Indoors it was pretty cold too. Our central heatIndoors it was pretty cold too. Our central heating system proved both inadequate and uncooperating system proved both inadequate and uncooperative . ive .

• Inadequate—not adequate (to a purpose, to do stInadequate—not adequate (to a purpose, to do sth); insufficient. h); insufficient.

• Uncooperative—not co-operative Uncooperative—not co-operative • He looked at me with an air of surprised disapprHe looked at me with an air of surprised disappr

oval,…oval,…• Disapproval—the opposite of approval Disapproval—the opposite of approval • Un,in-, and dis-are negative prefixes which meaUn,in-, and dis-are negative prefixes which mea

n” the opposite of “ or “ not” . n” the opposite of “ or “ not” . • Undoubtedly / unfortunately/ unhappy/ unlikelyUndoubtedly / unfortunately/ unhappy/ unlikely• Inability/incompetent/incomplete/indirectInability/incompetent/incomplete/indirect• Disappear/discomfort/dislike/disobeyDisappear/discomfort/dislike/disobey

• Inadequate partly because it needed overhauling Inadequate partly because it needed overhauling and partly because the poor state of the doors aand partly because the poor state of the doors and most of the windows made a whistling stream ond most of the windows made a whistling stream of cold air come through; unco-operative because f cold air come through; unco-operative because occasionally it simply went on strike.occasionally it simply went on strike.

• What did the writer mean by “ it simply went on What did the writer mean by “ it simply went on strike?”strike?”

• It here refers to the central heating system. ThIt here refers to the central heating system. The clause means, “our central heating system juse clause means, “our central heating system just refused to work. In other words, it broke dowt refused to work. In other words, it broke down.” this is an example of personification. The n.” this is an example of personification. The writer is giving a humorous touch to the descripwriter is giving a humorous touch to the description. tion.

• To make matters worse there were tiny To make matters worse there were tiny holes in the brickwork of many of the holes in the brickwork of many of the rooms. As a result the water pipes froze rooms. As a result the water pipes froze so that for several weeks our water so that for several weeks our water supply had to be brought in buckets from supply had to be brought in buckets from a nearby farm. a nearby farm.

• As a result—therefore, consequently As a result—therefore, consequently • As a result he had been given an As a result he had been given an

excellent job.excellent job.• As a result of---As a result of---• He was late as a result of the snow.He was late as a result of the snow.• Buckets Buckets • Kick the bucket—this euphemism of deathKick the bucket—this euphemism of death• Come down in buckets—pour down Come down in buckets—pour down • The rain was coming down in buckets.The rain was coming down in buckets.

• We tired to buy a number of oil-stoves to keep We tired to buy a number of oil-stoves to keep these rooms warm, but other people had thought these rooms warm, but other people had thought of doing this too—when we called at the of doing this too—when we called at the village shop the shopkeeper told us she had village shop the shopkeeper told us she had sold out and that although there were more on sold out and that although there were more on order they were unlikely to be delivered until order they were unlikely to be delivered until the spring—which, of course, was a great the spring—which, of course, was a great comfort. comfort.

• Why did the writer say “which was a great Why did the writer say “which was a great comfort” when they couldn’t buy the oil-stove?comfort” when they couldn’t buy the oil-stove?

• For the time being the oil—stoves were out of For the time being the oil—stoves were out of stock, but the mere thought of the possibility stock, but the mere thought of the possibility of their buying some in spring gave them of their buying some in spring gave them little cause for satisfaction. The writer is little cause for satisfaction. The writer is being ironical here.being ironical here.

• The dash is used in the above sentences to The dash is used in the above sentences to mark a sudden change of ideas or to give some mark a sudden change of ideas or to give some explanation.explanation.

• Which, of course, was a great comfort—this is tWhich, of course, was a great comfort—this is type of non—restrictive relative clause which haype of non—restrictive relative clause which has for its antecedent a whole sentence, or, as in s for its antecedent a whole sentence, or, as in this case, a clause or several clauses. Here, whthis case, a clause or several clauses. Here, which refers to the fact that “ although there weich refers to the fact that “ although there were more on order they were unlikely to be delivere more on order they were unlikely to be delivered until the spring”.red until the spring”.

• A great comfort is an example of irony, the use A great comfort is an example of irony, the use of words which are clearly opposite to one’s meof words which are clearly opposite to one’s meaning “ aning “ 反话”反话” . Actually the fact mentioned ab. Actually the fact mentioned above could not be a comfort, because oil—stoves ove could not be a comfort, because oil—stoves would not be needed when spring camewould not be needed when spring came. .

• Throughout January and February and much Throughout January and February and much of March we sat about in our overcoats of March we sat about in our overcoats and warmed ourselves by tramping to and and warmed ourselves by tramping to and from the farm, lugging buckets of water.from the farm, lugging buckets of water.

• Tramp—walk with heavy steps Tramp—walk with heavy steps • He tramped up and down the platform He tramped up and down the platform

waiting for the train.waiting for the train.• It can also be regarded as a nounIt can also be regarded as a noun• Sound of heavy footstepsSound of heavy footsteps• I heard the tramp of marching soldiers.I heard the tramp of marching soldiers.• Lug—pull of drag roughly and with much Lug—pull of drag roughly and with much

efforteffort• Lugging two heavy suitcases up the stairsLugging two heavy suitcases up the stairs• Lug a handcart along .Lug a handcart along .

• On one occasion the water actually froze On one occasion the water actually froze before it reached the house, and our before it reached the house, and our youngest son—not the most intelligent of youngest son—not the most intelligent of youth—promptly took it all the way back youth—promptly took it all the way back to the farm.to the farm.

• The dash is used to mark a sudden change The dash is used to mark a sudden change of ideas of to give some explanation. of ideas of to give some explanation.

• Why did the writer call their youngest Why did the writer call their youngest son “not the most intelligent of youth”?son “not the most intelligent of youth”?

• What the writer really meant was that What the writer really meant was that their youngest son was very stupid, so their youngest son was very stupid, so stupid as to take the bucket of water all stupid as to take the bucket of water all the way back to the farm from the house. the way back to the farm from the house.

• Here the author employed a figure of Here the author employed a figure of speech---understatement speech---understatement

• UnderstatementUnderstatement• 低调陈述不像夸张那样夸大其词低调陈述不像夸张那样夸大其词 ,, 而是正话反说而是正话反说 ,, 重话轻重话轻

说说 ,, 含蓄内敛含蓄内敛 ,, 形式上迂回形式上迂回 ,, 其目的同样在于增强语言力其目的同样在于增强语言力度度 ,, 提高表达效果提高表达效果 ..

• It’s a great being with my sister and my friend, It’s a great being with my sister and my friend, Ann. I’m a real tourist now, and things here are Ann. I’m a real tourist now, and things here are the finest of the world: food I’ve never tasted, the finest of the world: food I’ve never tasted, scenery one could hardly tear themselves away, and scenery one could hardly tear themselves away, and music even Beethoven would admire…It’s music even Beethoven would admire…It’s by no meaby no means not a pity,ns not a pity, however, that you’re not win us! however, that you’re not win us!

• This piece of work is nothing to be proud of=This piece of work is nothing to be proud of=• It is disgraceful. It is disgraceful. • If this regime is out of power, no tear is to be sIf this regime is out of power, no tear is to be s

hed=we expect this this regime to be out of power. hed=we expect this this regime to be out of power.

• However, one good thing did happen. One of the cHowever, one good thing did happen. One of the children dropped a container with a dozen eggs in hildren dropped a container with a dozen eggs in it. I stooped down furiously to pick up what I tit. I stooped down furiously to pick up what I thought would be the messy remains only to discovhought would be the messy remains only to discover the eggs had come to no harm—they were as soer the eggs had come to no harm—they were as solid as if they had been hard—boiled. lid as if they had been hard—boiled.

• Stoop—bend the body forwards and downwards; benStoop—bend the body forwards and downwards; bend the neck so that the head is forward and downd the neck so that the head is forward and down

• Stoop to pick sth up.Stoop to pick sth up.• From the sentence “they were as solid as if theFrom the sentence “they were as solid as if the

y had been hard—boiled” , we can realize that y had been hard—boiled” , we can realize that this winter was so severe cold . this winter was so severe cold .

• why did the writer think it a why did the writer think it a good thing that the dropped eggs good thing that the dropped eggs had not become the messy remains?had not become the messy remains?

• The writer is being ironical. The writer is being ironical. They didn’t like the severe cold They didn’t like the severe cold that winter. It caused them a lot that winter. It caused them a lot of inconvenience and discomfort. of inconvenience and discomfort. However, there was one thing However, there was one thing which was not quite so bad. The which was not quite so bad. The eggs were frozen so hard that eggs were frozen so hard that when the children dropped them, when the children dropped them, they did not break.they did not break.

• Late in March, it finally thawed. Water Late in March, it finally thawed. Water squirted from pipes in at least half a squirted from pipes in at least half a dozen places. Instead of carting buckets dozen places. Instead of carting buckets of water into the kitchen from the farm of water into the kitchen from the farm we now brought them in from different we now brought them in from different parts of the house. Eventually we found parts of the house. Eventually we found a plumber. The plumber undoubtedly saved a plumber. The plumber undoubtedly saved us from drowning. I have been devoted to us from drowning. I have been devoted to plumbers ever since. plumbers ever since.

• The author employs ironic overstatement The author employs ironic overstatement to show that he can smile at his to show that he can smile at his troubles.troubles.

• ““The plumber undoubtedly saved us from The plumber undoubtedly saved us from drowning. I have been devoted to drowning. I have been devoted to plumbers ever since”.plumbers ever since”.

Writing technique Writing technique

• 1. the writer carefully selects a subject 1. the writer carefully selects a subject which has made a clear impression on him which has made a clear impression on him and wants to evoke sympathy from the and wants to evoke sympathy from the reader. He aims at telling the reader about reader. He aims at telling the reader about the sufferings experienced in the extreme the sufferings experienced in the extreme cold by establishing the situation in the cold by establishing the situation in the first two short introductory paragraphs.first two short introductory paragraphs.

• 2. he tries to convey a distinct impression 2. he tries to convey a distinct impression of the extreme cold both outside and inside of the extreme cold both outside and inside by setting out specific and concrete by setting out specific and concrete details. It is precisely the mention of details. It is precisely the mention of such particular things as definite colors such particular things as definite colors and sounds, and specific action and and sounds, and specific action and attitudes of people that awaken the attitudes of people that awaken the reader’s interest and win his sympathy.reader’s interest and win his sympathy.

• Color—vivid metaphors are used to show how Color—vivid metaphors are used to show how the early beauty of the snowfall has been the early beauty of the snowfall has been changed into something harsh and ugly.changed into something harsh and ugly.

• A spotless white canopyA spotless white canopy• Ugly lumps of grimy concrete Ugly lumps of grimy concrete • Sound—a number of phrases help to express Sound—a number of phrases help to express

the sound effects associated with the the sound effects associated with the severe winter which caused discomfort and severe winter which caused discomfort and inconvenienceinconvenience

• A whistling stream of cold airA whistling stream of cold air• Tramping to and from the farm Tramping to and from the farm • Actions—a series of everyday occurrences Actions—a series of everyday occurrences

are mentioned to emphasize the severity of are mentioned to emphasize the severity of the cold, e.g. children having snowball the cold, e.g. children having snowball fights, feeding birds with leftovers, fights, feeding birds with leftovers, people lugging buckets of water, plumbers people lugging buckets of water, plumbers repairing pipes. repairing pipes.

attitude—the description of the attitude attitude—the description of the attitude of some of some

members of the family towards the severe members of the family towards the severe winter holds the reader’s interest, e.g. winter holds the reader’s interest, e.g. the youngest son promptly taking the the youngest son promptly taking the water all the way back to the farm, the water all the way back to the farm, the writer stooping down furiously to pick writer stooping down furiously to pick up the eggs. up the eggs.

sight—last but not least, some “sights” sight—last but not least, some “sights” are described to add to the vividness of are described to add to the vividness of the event, e.g. water squirting from the event, e.g. water squirting from pipes in half a dozen places. pipes in half a dozen places.

3. The writer skillfully uses description 3. The writer skillfully uses description within the narration. In other words, within the narration. In other words, description is closely woven into the description is closely woven into the whole passage. The effects of a severe whole passage. The effects of a severe winter are described in detail. winter are described in detail.

• Examples: Examples: • The hungry birds growing tamer day by The hungry birds growing tamer day by

day in search of foodday in search of food• The stream of cold air finding their way The stream of cold air finding their way

into the houseinto the house• Every family trying to buy oil—stoves Every family trying to buy oil—stoves

for more heating for more heating • Everyone wearing overcoats in the houseEveryone wearing overcoats in the house• The water frozen in the bucket while The water frozen in the bucket while

being carriedbeing carried• The frozen eggs dropped but not broken The frozen eggs dropped but not broken

• 4. the writer adopts a subjective and 4. the writer adopts a subjective and informal style, with the exception of the informal style, with the exception of the third paragraph, which is a good example of a third paragraph, which is a good example of a literary descriptive style. The first person literary descriptive style. The first person plural we is used throughout to give an plural we is used throughout to give an informal tone. Phrase like on and off, round informal tone. Phrase like on and off, round about, pretty cold, lugging buckets of water, about, pretty cold, lugging buckets of water, carting buckets of water are more carting buckets of water are more characteristic of speech than writing. One of characteristic of speech than writing. One of the sentences in Paragraph 5 is quite long, the sentences in Paragraph 5 is quite long,

• ““we tried to buy a number of oil—stoves to we tried to buy a number of oil—stoves to keep these rooms warm….---which , of course, keep these rooms warm….---which , of course, was a great comfort.”was a great comfort.”

• This sentence consists of no less than eight This sentence consists of no less than eight clauses and is rather loose in structure . clauses and is rather loose in structure . However, the ideas conveyed in this sentence However, the ideas conveyed in this sentence are not really complicated. are not really complicated.

• 5. the writer adopts a dry, ironic and self—moc5. the writer adopts a dry, ironic and self—mocking tone towards the difficulties of this harsh king tone towards the difficulties of this harsh winter. (irony is a kind of writing technique in winter. (irony is a kind of writing technique in which words or actions are seen as conveying the which words or actions are seen as conveying the opposite of their surface significance.) the iroopposite of their surface significance.) the ironic humor in the passage helps to grip the readenic humor in the passage helps to grip the reader’s interest. The writer’s sense of humor, whir’s interest. The writer’s sense of humor, which is kept under all circumstances, can be seen ch is kept under all circumstances, can be seen in the following instances.in the following instances.

• 1. the writer uses personification to portray th1. the writer uses personification to portray the heating system as if it were human. “our heate heating system as if it were human. “our heating system proved both inadequate and unco—opering system proved both inadequate and unco—operative. …unco—operative because occasionally it ative. …unco—operative because occasionally it simply went on strike.”simply went on strike.”

• Here the writer implies that “things” as well Here the writer implies that “things” as well as nature are ganging up on him to make life as nature are ganging up on him to make life as unpleasant as possible. as unpleasant as possible.

• 2.he uses an ironic understatement to suggest 2.he uses an ironic understatement to suggest that he can retain his sense of humor in the that he can retain his sense of humor in the face of his son’s obvious stupidity. face of his son’s obvious stupidity.

• “…“…and our youngest son—not the most and our youngest son—not the most intelligent of youths---promptly took it all intelligent of youths---promptly took it all the way back to the farm.”the way back to the farm.”

• 3. 3. The author employs ironic The author employs ironic overstatement to show that he can smile overstatement to show that he can smile at his troubles.at his troubles.

• ““The plumber undoubtedly saved us from The plumber undoubtedly saved us from drowning. I have been devoted to drowning. I have been devoted to plumbers ever since”. plumbers ever since”.

HomeworkHomework

• Summarize what we have Summarize what we have learnt todaylearnt today

• Pick out the key words of Pick out the key words of each paragraph each paragraph

• Write a short essay to Write a short essay to describe describe a summer daya summer day . .

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