The Flying MachineDiscussion & analysis

DiscussionAt the beginning of the story, the servant runs up to the Emperor, crying: A miracle!. The Emperor agrees and gives a list of things he considers miraculous. What are these things and what do they tell us about the Emperor?Two major contrasts emerge from the story: natural vs. man-made world and ancient vs. modern. Find examples (e.g. a new dragon in a land of ancient dragons) and consider the importance of these two sets of contrasts for the meaning of the story.

DiscussionWhen the flying man alights and comes before the Emperor, the Emperor insists on asking What have you done?. What is the meaning of his repeated question?The Emperor glanced in all directions while tha flying man soared down the morning wind. He saw a farmer, early in his fields, watching the sky, and he noted where the farmer stood. Why does the Emperor make sure to note where the farmer stood?

DiscussionHere is the man who has made a certain machine ... And yet asks us what he has created. He does not know himself. It is only necessary that he create, without knowing why he has done so, or what this thing will do.If you asked me what I have done here, I could answer you well. I have made birds sing, I have made forests murmur, I have set people to walking in this woodland, enjoying the leaves and shadows and songs. That is what I have done.What is the difference between the flying machine and the Emperors miniature metal garden? Why does the Emperor consider the former dangerous and the latter beautiful?

DiscussionThe word creation is mentioned several times with reference to the flying machine. The word has both biblical and artistic connotations. Consider the significance this might bear within the context of the story. I fear another man ... Some other man who, seeing you, will build a thing of bright papers and bamboo like this. But the other man will have an evil face and an evil heart, and the beauty will be gone. It is this man I fear. Provide some reasons and logical explanations for the Emperors fear. Would you call the Emperor a tyrant, a fool or a prophet?

Analysis

WORDSYNONYMWORDSYNONYMWORDSYNONYMReady (verb)Prepare Dominion Realm, sovereigntyMiracle Wonder ThoughtfulMeditative, pensive, contemplativeMeadowPlain, glade, valley, valeSoarFlyAncientOld, obsolete, antiquated, old-fashionedSplendid Brilliant, radiant, magnificentPreserve MaintainGatherCollect Note (verb)Observe, notice, recordAlight (verb)Land Clumsy Awkward, inept Reply (verb)Respond, answerApparatus Machine, device, appliance

Analysis

WORDSYNONYMWORDSYNONYMWORDSYNONYMLeap JumpCourageBraverySeizeGrab, take hold ofBewildered Puzzled, confused, befuddledSereneCalm, unruffled, peacefulDelicateFrail, fragile, subtle, sensitiveForestWood, groveImpossiblyIncredibly, unbelievably PleadBegWhirlRevolve, rotate, spin, wheelRetreatWithdrawSolaceComfort, consolationMotionMovementLopeRun (with a steady, easy step)

-ING FormsGERUNDSUsed instead of nouns, after prepositions: without knowing why he has done soI have set people to walking in this woodland, enjoying the leaves and shadows and songs

-ING FormsPRESENT PARTICIPLEAfter verbs of senses: He saw the town beginning to waken; He saw a farmer watching the skyInstead of dependent clauses: said the servant, smiling at the sky, waving; He came proudly to the Emperor, bowing before the old man; pleaded the flier, on his knees, the tears pouring down his face; tiny people ran in and out of sun and shadow, fanning themselves with miniature fans; Some other man who, seeing you, will build a thing of bright papers and bamboo like thisInstead of adjectives: flying man; his shouting mouth; the smell of grass was refreshing; all the sleeping houses and gardensInstead of adverbs: The executioner came runningFor tense formation: he was soaring all about

-ING FormsAfter verbs of senses: Verbs of senses: see, watch; hear, listen; etc.Verb of sense + object + present participle OR bare infinitiveHe saw the town beginning to waken: saw = verb of sense; the town = object; beginning = present participle He saw the town waken: waken = bare infinitiveUsage and difference: Present participle implies that only part of the action is/was witnessed. Bare infinitive implies that the whole action was witnessed.Example: I heard Mary playing the flute. (only for some time). I heard Mary play the flute. (from the moment she began until she finished).

-ING FormsInstead of dependent clauses possible rephrasing: said the servant, smiling at the sky, waving = said the servant while he smiled at the sky and waved (TIME)He came proudly to the Emperor, bowing before the old man = he came proudly to the Emeror and bowed before the old man (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE)pleaded the flier, on his knees, the tears pouring down his face = pleaded the flier, on his knees, as the tears poured down his face (MANNER)tiny people ran in and out of sun and shadow, fanning themselves with miniature fans = tiny people, who fanned themselves with miniature fans, ran in and out of sun and shadow (RELATIVE) Some other man who, seeing you, will build a thing of bright papers and bamboo like this = some other man who, after/because he sees you, will build a thing of bright papers and bamboo like this (TIME/CAUSE)

Word Formation

NounAdjectiveAdverbVerbReadinessReadyReadilyReadyPeacePeacefulPeacefullySadnessSadSadlySaddenMiracleMiraculousMiraculouslySurenessSureSurelyEnsureDream(er)DreamyDreamilyDreamPreparationPreparatoryPrepareThoughtThoughtfulThoughtfullyThinkSplendourSplendidSplendidlyMajestyMajesticMajesticallyWonderWonderfulWonderfullyWonderProtectionProtectiveProtectivelyProtect

Word Formation

NounAdjectiveAdverbVerbPreservation, preserverPreservablePreservablyPreservePrideProudProudlyClumsinessClumsyClumsilyDemandDemandingDemandinglyDemandBeautyBeautiful BeautifullyBeautify Invention, inventorInventiveInventivelyInventCourageCourageousCourageouslyEncourageExecution, executionerExecutiveExecuteBewildermentBewildered/ingBewilderCertaintyCertainCertainlyCreation, creatorCreativeCreativelyCreateNecessity(Un)NecessaryNecessarilyNecessitate

Word Formation

NounAdjectiveAdverbVerbSerenitySereneSerenelyDelicacyDelicateDelicatelySimilaritySimilarSimilarlyEnjoyment(Un)EnjoyableEnjoyDistanceDistantDistantlyDistanceFearAfraid, frightenedFrighten ObedienceObedientObedientlyObeyConsiderationConsiderativeconsiderableConsider