Lesson Two

Hiroshima ---

the "Liveliest" City in Japan

Book I

教学大纲

• I. Teaching objectives • Get to know the background of the first atomic bomb in the human history • Learn how to use effective action verbs • Get to know some important figures of speech employed in this text

• II. Teaching tasks• Pre-reading questions • Background knowledge • Detailed Study of the text • Rhetoric devices • Follow-up discussion • Exercise and Homework

• III ． Important and difficult points• The separation of the anti-Japanese psychology of the Chinese students’ with the author’s repentance

for the A-bomb cataclysm. • What is a narration?• The understanding and comprehension of the contradiction between the sorrowful mentality of the

author and the humorous language of the text. • Some useful expressions such as to be preoccupied, to be oblivious, and etc.

• IV. Important words• reportorial, kimono, preoccupation, oblivious, ritual, lurch, intermezzo, heave, barge, moor, arresting,

tatami, twinge, linger, inhibit, agitated, reverie, heinous, formaldehyde, have a lump in one’s throat, on one’s mind, rub shoulders with, by trade

• V. References• 高级英语（修订本），第一册，张汉熙主编，王立礼编，外语教学与研究出版社， 1995.6 。• 高级英语（修订版）学习指南，第一册，张鑫友主编，湖北人民出版社， 2000.8 。• 高级英语（修订本）教师参考书，第一册，王立礼编，外语教学与研究出版社， 1995.6 。• 高级英语精读精解 , 姚兰，西南交通大学出版社， 2004 。• 英语名篇精品，马洵，天津大学出版社， 2000 。• 英语语体和文体要略，秦秀白，上海外语教育出版社， 2002.4 。

I ． Background information

Japan

• National Name: Nippon • Geography: Four main islands: Honshu ( 本州 ), Hokkaido ( 北海道 ),

Kyushu ( 九州 ), and Shikoku ( 四国 )• Area: 371,857 sq.km. • Population: 122,700,000 (1988). • Capital: Tokyo

• Sept.1, 1939 Hitler invaded Poland. France and Britain declared war on Gr. immediately, officially beginning World War II

• Jun.22, 1941 Gr. invaded USSR• Dec. 7, 1941 Pearl Harbour • Sept. 1943 Italy surrendered• May. 7, 1945 Gr. surrendered unconditionally• Aug. 6, 1945 the first A-bomb exploded in Hiroshima• Aug. 8, 1945 USSR declared war on Japan and occupied Manchuria• Aug. 9, 1945 the dropping of the second A-bomb on Nagasaki• Aug. 14, 1945 Japan announced its surrender

HiroshimaHiroshima

first build in 1593, meaning "broad island", made up first build in 1593, meaning "broad island", made up of 6 delta islands; of 6 delta islands;

more than 80 bridges connecting them with one more than 80 bridges connecting them with one another and with the mainland; capital of Hiroshima another and with the mainland; capital of Hiroshima prefecture ; prefecture ;

important position on the key land and water routes important position on the key land and water routes Chief industrial and population center of the Chugoku Chief industrial and population center of the Chugoku

region; region; industries including iron and steel, shipbuilding, cars industries including iron and steel, shipbuilding, cars

and trucks, machinery, textiles and paper; and trucks, machinery, textiles and paper; before World War II, 7th largest city in Japan, with before World War II, 7th largest city in Japan, with

a population of 350,000; a population of 350,000; during the war, regional army headquarters, major during the war, regional army headquarters, major

rail center and producer of war materials;rail center and producer of war materials;

the Atomic Explosionthe Atomic Explosion

struck by the first atomic bomb at 8:15 a.m. on struck by the first atomic bomb at 8:15 a.m. on August 6,1945; August 6,1945;

explosion near the center of the city, destroying explosion near the center of the city, destroying almost everything within a radius of 2 km; almost everything within a radius of 2 km;

over 71,000 people killed instantly, many more later over 71,000 people killed instantly, many more later died of injuries and the effect of radiation; died of injuries and the effect of radiation;

survivors still dying of leukemia, pernicious anemia survivors still dying of leukemia, pernicious anemia and other diseases induced by radiation; and other diseases induced by radiation;

almost 98 % of the buildings destroyed or severely almost 98 % of the buildings destroyed or severely damaged;damaged;

Postwar HiroshimaPostwar Hiroshima

ruin of the Institute of Industrial Development ruin of the Institute of Industrial Development preserved as a symbol of terror of destruction; preserved as a symbol of terror of destruction;

Peace Park laid out nearby including a Peace Park laid out nearby including a cenotaph memorializing the victims and a cenotaph memorializing the victims and a museum housing the relics; museum housing the relics;

a special hospital built to treat radiation victim a special hospital built to treat radiation victim and to conduct research into its effectsand to conduct research into its effects

Some Japanese ItemsSome Japanese Items

1) Kimono --- a loose Japanese robe with wide 1) Kimono --- a loose Japanese robe with wide

sleeves and a broad sash , traditionally worn as sleeves and a broad sash , traditionally worn as an outer garment by the Japanese. an outer garment by the Japanese.

2). Tatami --- straw matting used as a floor cov2). Tatami --- straw matting used as a floor covering in a Japanese home. It is a custom of the ering in a Japanese home. It is a custom of the Japanese to remove their shoes once they go inJapanese to remove their shoes once they go indoors, walking on the tatami matting in their sdoors, walking on the tatami matting in their socks.ocks.

II. Analysis of the text

1. the titl1. the titlee

Why does the author put the word "liveliest" in Why does the author put the word "liveliest" in quotation marks? quotation marks?

1) what the city is said to be 1) what the city is said to be

2) considers it ironic to use the word "livelies2) considers it ironic to use the word "liveliest" to describe a city that had been atomized.t" to describe a city that had been atomized.

2. Paragraph 1: My arrival at 2. Paragraph 1: My arrival at Hiroshima and my emotionHiroshima and my emotion

The fastest train in the world slipped to a stop, The fastest train in the world slipped to a stop, Not understand what the Japanese Not understand what the Japanese

stationmaster shouts, stationmaster shouts, A lump in nay throat and a lot of sad thoughts A lump in nay throat and a lot of sad thoughts

on my mind on my mind Reportorial assignment Reportorial assignment Scene of the crimeScene of the crime

3. Paragraph 2: First impression of 3. Paragraph 2: First impression of the Japanese peoplethe Japanese people

Not appear to have the same preoccupation, Not appear to have the same preoccupation, No difference from other Japanese cities, No difference from other Japanese cities, Little girls and elderly ladies in kimonos--- Little girls and elderly ladies in kimonos---

teenagers and women in western dress teenagers and women in western dress Serious looking men oblivious of the crowds, Serious looking men oblivious of the crowds,

bobbed up and down, exchanged ritual bobbed up and down, exchanged ritual formulaformula

4. Paragraphs 3-7: Find the place for 4. Paragraphs 3-7: Find the place for interview with much difficultyinterview with much difficulty

Cab driver: zealous but not very helpful Cab driver: zealous but not very helpful Speed through narrow streets, lurched from side to siSpeed through narrow streets, lurched from side to si

de, not knowing the way de, not knowing the way City Hall usher: Polite and helpful; bowed deeply, heCity Hall usher: Polite and helpful; bowed deeply, he

aved a long, musical sigh, sketched a little map aved a long, musical sigh, sketched a little map Restaurant: Canal embankment, barge with a roof liRestaurant: Canal embankment, barge with a roof li

ke one on a house, Traditional houses on boats, adrift ke one on a house, Traditional houses on boats, adrift amid beige skyscrapers, rather arresting pectacleamid beige skyscrapers, rather arresting pectacle

5. Paragraphs 8-19: Interview 5. Paragraphs 8-19: Interview with the mayorwith the mayor

Restaurant: Low-ceilinged rooms, little floating house, soft tataRestaurant: Low-ceilinged rooms, little floating house, soft tatami matting mi matting

The author--- remove shoes, meet the mayor in my socks, feel eThe author--- remove shoes, meet the mayor in my socks, feel embarrassed; mbarrassed;

Mayor---tall, thin, sad eyed and serious, mentioned the name of Mayor---tall, thin, sad eyed and serious, mentioned the name of Hiroshima several times, praising southern Japanese sea food Hiroshima several times, praising southern Japanese sea food

Guests--mostly Japanese few Westerners (Americans and GerGuests--mostly Japanese few Westerners (Americans and Germans)-- inhibited, agitated, puzzled mans)-- inhibited, agitated, puzzled

Hiroshima--oysters? Not the bomb, the misery and the heinous Hiroshima--oysters? Not the bomb, the misery and the heinous crime?crime?

6. Paragraphs 20- 27: Conversation 6. Paragraphs 20- 27: Conversation with a small Japanese manwith a small Japanese man

The Japanese man: small, with large, thick glasses, aThe Japanese man: small, with large, thick glasses, a

lmost an old man, tell the true feelings lmost an old man, tell the true feelings Two schools of thought: Two schools of thought: (1) Preserve traces of the bomb (1) Preserve traces of the bomb (2) Get rid of everything, even the monument, the at(2) Get rid of everything, even the monument, the at

omic museum "gayest city in Japan", while many peoomic museum "gayest city in Japan", while many people with hidden wounds, and burnsple with hidden wounds, and burns

7. Paragraphs 28-38: Interview with an 7. Paragraphs 28-38: Interview with an atomic explosion victimatomic explosion victim

HospitalHospital: smell (formaldehyde, ether), stretchers and : smell (formaldehyde, ether), stretchers and wheelchairs, nickel-plated, send shivers down the spinewheelchairs, nickel-plated, send shivers down the spine

Atomic Section:Atomic Section: third floor, 17 beds, a handful of patients third floor, 17 beds, a handful of patients kept alive, by constant care ,others died of illness or kept alive, by constant care ,others died of illness or committed suicidecommitted suicide

The old man:The old man: fisherman, ill for 20 years, something wrong fisherman, ill for 20 years, something wrong inside; inside;

Saw the fire ball, no burns on the body, ran all over the city Saw the fire ball, no burns on the body, ran all over the city Hair began to fall off, belly turned to water, felt sickHair began to fall off, belly turned to water, felt sick Why commit suicide?Why commit suicide? Humiliating to survive, Humiliating to survive, Children encounter prejudice, marriage affected Children encounter prejudice, marriage affected People afraid of genetic damage People afraid of genetic damage Lucky birds: of brightly colored paper, a new one each day, as Lucky birds: of brightly colored paper, a new one each day, as

a congratulationa congratulation

8.Paragraph 39: Reflections 8.Paragraph 39: Reflections after the interviewafter the interview

Tear into pieces the notebook with questions Tear into pieces the notebook with questions for patients for patients

Read the answer in every eyeRead the answer in every eye

III. Language points

• 1. Hiroshima--the "Liveliest" City in Japan:

• The word "liveliest' is put in quotation marks to show that this is what the city is said to be and the writer perhaps considers it ironic to use the word "liveliest" to describe a city that had been atomized.

• 2. "Hiroshima! Everybody off!"

• 1) off: down from

• 2) Everybody should now get off the train

• These words were chanted by the sationmaster to inform the passengers that the train had arrived at its terminal destination and all passengers were to detrain.

• 3. That must be slipped to a stop in Hiroshi3. That must be slipped to a stop in Hiroshima Station: ma Station:

• l) "Must" here expresses strong probabilitl) "Must" here expresses strong probability as the author didn’t understand Japanese y as the author didn’t understand Japanese and could not have been sure. and could not have been sure.

• 2) in the Japanese stationmaster's unifor2) in the Japanese stationmaster's uniform: m:

• in : (of dress) wearing something e.g. iin : (of dress) wearing something e.g. in white; in mourning; in rags; in silk n white; in mourning; in rags; in silk

• stationmaster : the official in charge of stationmaster : the official in charge of a railway station a railway station

• 3) slipped to a stop : came to a stop smoothly a3) slipped to a stop : came to a stop smoothly and effortlessly, in a gliding manner nd effortlessly, in a gliding manner

• slide, slip, glideslide, slip, glide • Slide implies accelerated motion without loSlide implies accelerated motion without lo

osing contact wit the slippery surface. osing contact wit the slippery surface. • Slip often suggests involuntary rather than Slip often suggests involuntary rather than

voluntary, sometimes even definitely implying a voluntary, sometimes even definitely implying a loss of footing and a fall. loss of footing and a fall.

• Glide, rather close to slide, means to movGlide, rather close to slide, means to move smoothly, quietly and continuously as is charae smoothly, quietly and continuously as is characteristic of dances, e.g. Plan glided down to the cteristic of dances, e.g. Plan glided down to the airfield.airfield.

4. And secondly, because I had a lump in my throat and a lot of sad thoughts on my mind might say

1) I had a lump in my throat: I was choked with emotion; I was so overcome with emotion that I could not speak or think clearly. 2) a lump in one's throat: a feeling of pressure in one's throat, caused by repressed emotion

3) a lot of sad thoughts on my mind: I was troubled about some sad events; I was occupied with some sad thoughts.

4) on one's mind: occupying one's thoughts, esp. as a source of worry

5) to have to do with: to be a concern of; to be about; to be connected with

6) My sad thoughts had no connection with what the stationmaster might say.

5. The very act of stepping on this soil any reportorial assignment I’d previously taken :

1) very: itself and nothing else

2) stepping on this soil : putting my feet down on this soil; landing in Hiroshima

3) far greater: adverbial modifiers of adj. or adv. in the comparative degree

4) adventure: an unusual journey or an exciting or remarkable experience

5) reportorial assignment: reporting work for a newspaper

6) The fact that I was now in Hiroshima was in itself a much more exciting experience for me than any trip I had taken or any reporting work I had done in the past.

• 6. Was I not at the scene of the crime?: 1) scene: place of an actual event 2) the crime: the dropping of the A-bomb on Hiroshima 3) Rhetorical questions are usually asked only for effect, as to emphasize a point, no answer being expected 4) I was now at the place where the first A bomb was dropped

• 7. Information provided in the first 7. Information provided in the first paragraph paragraph

• 1) The author was here on a reportorial 1) The author was here on a reportorial mission. mission.

• 2) Hiroshima was not the author's first 2) Hiroshima was not the author's first assignment. assignment.

• 3) He was preoccupied with some sad 3) He was preoccupied with some sad thoughts--the crime of the A- bomb. He thoughts--the crime of the A- bomb. He was tortured by a guilty conscience was tortured by a guilty conscience

• 4) He didn't understand Japanese.4) He didn't understand Japanese.

• 8. The Japanese crowd that I had:8. The Japanese crowd that I had:

• 1) did not appear to have--did not seem to have; judging 1) did not appear to have--did not seem to have; judging by appearances, the author could not have been by appearances, the author could not have been absolutely sure that the Japanese crowd did not have absolutely sure that the Japanese crowd did not have the same preoccupations the same preoccupations

• 2)2) seem, look, appear seem, look, appear• Seem suggests a personal opinion based on Seem suggests a personal opinion based on

evidence that satisfies the judgment. evidence that satisfies the judgment. • Look implies that the opinion is based on a visual Look implies that the opinion is based on a visual

impression. impression. • Appear may convey the same implication as look, Appear may convey the same implication as look,

but it sometimes suggests a distorted impression but it sometimes suggests a distorted impression produced by an optical illusion, a restricted point of view produced by an optical illusion, a restricted point of view etc. e.g. The setting sun made the spires etc. e.g. The setting sun made the spires appear ablaze.appear ablaze.

• 9. From the sidewalk things seemed much 9. From the sidewalk things seemed much the same as in other Japanese cities: 1) the same as in other Japanese cities: 1) sidewalk: chiefly used in the U. S.; British: sidewalk: chiefly used in the U. S.; British: pavement; New Zealand : footpath 2) pavement; New Zealand : footpath 2) much the same: about the same; much much the same: about the same; much here tones down rather than emphasizes here tones down rather than emphasizes the word same 3) Seem is used to the word same 3) Seem is used to indicate that things are actually not so.indicate that things are actually not so.

• 10. Little girls in western dress:10. Little girls in western dress: • 1) elderly: approaching old age, past middle age 1) elderly: approaching old age, past middle age • 2) rub shoulders with : (informal) meet and mix with 2) rub shoulders with : (informal) meet and mix with

(people) (people) • e.g. The foreign visitors said that they would like to rub e.g. The foreign visitors said that they would like to rub

shoulders with ordinary Chinese people. shoulders with ordinary Chinese people. • During those two terms at the hoarding school, she During those two terms at the hoarding school, she

rubbed shoulders with the rich. rubbed shoulders with the rich. • This is not the sort of club where the great rub shoulders This is not the sort of club where the great rub shoulders

with the humble. with the humble. • 3) teenager: boy or girl from 13 to 19 3) teenager: boy or girl from 13 to 19 • 4) This sentence gives the impression that in Japan 4) This sentence gives the impression that in Japan

traditional style and western style exist side by side.traditional style and western style exist side by side.

• 11. Serious looking men : “Tomo aligato gozayimas" : • 1) to be oblivious of (or to) : to be unaware of e. g.

Oblivous of each other, the two men flashed past on their separate missions; We should not be oblivious to the reality that Soviet restraint resulted only from our forcing of the issue and determined persistence.

• 2) They were so absorbed in their conversation that they seemed not to pay any attention to the crowds about them.

• 3) bob up and down repeatedly in little bows: bow repeatedly

• 4) bob up and down: move up and down automatically (humourous description of the bows)

• 5) ritual: all the rites or forms connected with a ceremony; particular form of any procedure regularly followed; here used as an adj. meaning "done as a rite"

• 6) formula of gratitude and respect: form of words used regularly such as "How do you do?" "Excuse me."

• 12. Others were using little red telephones that hung on the facades of grocery stores and tobacco shops:

• 1) facade: front or face of building towards a street or open place

• 2) grocery store : a store where tea, butter, sugar, tinned food and such household requirements as soap and soap powder are sold

• 13. cab driver: (chiefly American) taxi driver. 13. cab driver: (chiefly American) taxi driver. • We might infer from the use of such words as We might infer from the use of such words as

"sidewalk" "store" and "cabdriver" that the author "sidewalk" "store" and "cabdriver" that the author is most likely an American. is most likely an American.

• 14. whose door popped open at the very sight of 14. whose door popped open at the very sight of a traveler: a traveler:

• 1) as soon as the taxi driver saw a traveler, he 1) as soon as the taxi driver saw a traveler, he immediately opened the door immediately opened the door

• 2) pop open : burst open with a short, sharp, 2) pop open : burst open with a short, sharp, slightly explosive sound slightly explosive sound

• 3) at the sight of: on seeing 3) at the sight of: on seeing • 15. City Hall: a building which houses the offices 15. City Hall: a building which houses the offices

of a municipal governmentof a municipal government

• 16. He grinned at me in the rear-view mirror: 1) grin: smile broadly as to show teeth, originally expressing amusement, foolish satisfaction or contempt etc., but in current English, tending to imply naive cheerfulness 2) rear-view mirror: driving-mirror inside a motor-vehicle for seeing out of the roar window

• 17. We set off at top speed: l) set off: start (a journey, race etc. ) 2) the taxi-driver drove very fast"

• 18. The tall building of the martyred city in response to the driver's sharp twists of the wheel: 1) martyred city: the city that has been made to suffer 2) flash by: pass swiftly 3) lurch : roll or sway suddenly forward or to one side 4) in response to: in answer to 5) sharp twist: abrupt change of direction 6) The high buildings passed swiftly and when the driver made abrupt changes of direction, we sometimes swung to one side, sometimes to the other side in response to the swaying motion of the car.

IV. Rhetorical devicesIV. Rhetorical devices

• 1. Anti-climax: 1. Anti-climax: a common literary device a common literary device to achieve humor, surprise, satire etc.to achieve humor, surprise, satire etc.

• e.g. Hiroshima ... a town known e.g. Hiroshima ... a town known throughout the world for its --- oysterthroughout the world for its --- oyster

• 2. Alliteration: the appearance of the same initial consonant sound in two or more words.

• e.g. .. and ever since then they have been testing and treating me

• 3. Rhetorical question: 3. Rhetorical question:

• question asked only for effect, as to question asked only for effect, as to emphasize a point, no answer being emphasize a point, no answer being expected. expected.

• e.g.e.g. Was I not at the scene of the crime? Was I not at the scene of the crime?

V. Writing skills

• 1. American English words:1. American English words:

• Sidewalk, store, cab driver, etc, Sidewalk, store, cab driver, etc,

• The use of these words indicates that the The use of these words indicates that the writer is very likely an American.writer is very likely an American.

• 2. Narration:2. Narration:

• To give an account of an event or a To give an account of an event or a serious of events, including stories, serious of events, including stories, biographies, histories, news items, and biographies, histories, news items, and narrative poems. narrative poems.

• Often goes hand in hand with description, Often goes hand in hand with description, one for the story, the other for its setting one for the story, the other for its setting and charactersand characters

• Five aspects to consider when planning a narrative:Five aspects to consider when planning a narrative:

• Context: circumstances at the beginning (when, where, Context: circumstances at the beginning (when, where, who); who);

• Context of details: relevant, useful and effective --- Context of details: relevant, useful and effective --- (purpose); (purpose);

• Organization: usually in chronological order, also by Organization: usually in chronological order, also by using flashback; using flashback;

• Point of view: first person,-more graphic and lifelike, but Point of view: first person,-more graphic and lifelike, but limited scope; limited scope;

• Purpose: to prove a theory, to illustrate a concept, to Purpose: to prove a theory, to illustrate a concept, to praise a virtue, to condemn a vice, etc,praise a virtue, to condemn a vice, etc,

• 3. Writing skills in this passage:3. Writing skills in this passage:

• 1) Narration combined with description; 1) Narration combined with description;

• 2) Good use of humorous language; 2) Good use of humorous language;

• 3) Good use of Anti-climax; 3) Good use of Anti-climax;

• 4 ) In chronological order; 4 ) In chronological order;

• 5) Well chosen details5) Well chosen details

VI. ExercisesVI. Exercises

1. Oral work in Class1. Oral work in Class• 1). Answer the questions listed on Page 19, 1). Answer the questions listed on Page 19, • 2). Discussion: 2). Discussion: • Why do you think the author put quotation maWhy do you think the author put quotation ma

rks over "liveliest" in the title? rks over "liveliest" in the title? • • 2. Going through some exercises in the te2. Going through some exercises in the te

xt. xt. • 3. Homework: Write a short composition o3. Homework: Write a short composition o

n the topics: My Visit to…n the topics: My Visit to…

• The End