Lesson Ten The richer, the Poorer

Warming-up: Discussion 1. What is so called “moonlight goddess” in the

modern society? What’s their opinion and behavior toward life and work?

2. Do you remember Walt Disney’s animated movie named “the ants and grasshopper”, which one do you like ---- the ants or the happy grasshopper?

3. Whom do you agree with ---- Lottie’s life experience or Bess’ happy but poor life? Why? For them who is richer and who is poorer?

4. What is work for ---- earn money/ house/ bank account/ for your old age/ for your parents and children? Or for spending the money/ enjoying life?

5. One of my friends once saw a car accident and an innocent person died. She was shocked by the scene and felt great pity for the young victim. Then after her work she bought something beautiful and expensive she dreamed but never spent for. She also had a good meal in a decent café. What’s your comment on her unusual act?

Background Information The Gypsies, or

Romani, first appeared in Western Europe in the early 15th century. Linguistic evidence points to several group migrations from the Indian subcontinent, the first possibly around 390BC.

Most Gypsies lived in tents, though travelling vans were adopted by some from the mid nineteenth century.

Introduction to the Text 1. Comparison and Contrast A good example of comparison and

contrast: it concentrates on the differences of the two sisters’ different lifestyles and experiences from childhood to old age.

The climax is their reunion in old age, when they, for the first time, seem to share similar opinions on life.

2. Point of View From Lottie’s point of view. Lottie: all work and no play make a

satisfactory life in one’s old age. Bess: Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow

we die.

Words and phrases:

1. cashier: teller

2. dime=10 cents: quarter=25 cents nickel=5 cents penny=1 cent

3. dismal: lacking hope or comfort, showing or causing sadness

e.g. in a dismal voice a dismal rainy day

4. errand: a short trip to do sth. for sb.

e.g. Your errand is to mail the letter. run errand for sb.: to go somewhere for sb.

to do sth.

e.g. She looked after babies, she ran errand for the old.

5. giddy: (dizzy) feeling a little sick and unable to balance because everything seems to be moving

e.g. We looked down from a giddy height.

我们从使人头晕的高处往下看。

6. grieve: to feel extremely sad, esp. when sb. you love has died

e.g. grieved over her father's sudden death

7. indulge: to let yourself do or have what you want even if it is bad for you

indulge in sth. indulge oneself (with sth.)e.g. They went into town to indulge in some

serious shopping. I indulged myself with a long hot bath indulge sb. e.g. He even indulged his children.

8. miserly adj. stingy; reluctant to spend money

9. sentimental: too easily affected by tender feelings such as love, sadness, etc. n. sentiment

10. smart v. to hurt with stinging pain

e.g. The slap delivered to my face smarted.

在我脸上的这一巴掌开始剧烈地疼痛。 “No creature smarts so little as a fool”

(Alexander Pope)

“傻瓜是受到精神上折磨最少的” (亚历山大 ·波普 )

11. spree: a short period of time doing sth. you enjoy 狂欢 ; 纵乐

e.g. He’s out on a spree.

他到外面潇洒去了。12. threadbare: wore out; in bad condition 破旧的；陈腐的

e.g. threadbare rugs 衣衫褴褛threadbare excuses 陈腐的借口

Structure of the Text Part One: (Para. 1) The two sisters’

contrasting financial conditions in old age Part Two: (Para. 2-19) Recall on every

earlier crucial stage of their lives Part Three: (Para. 20-34) Their reunion

in old age and similar opinions they share on life