Lesson 2

1. Lesson 2 Hiroshima – the “Liveliest” City in Japan

2. Hiroshima – the “Liveliest” City in Japan Ⅰ Additional background knowledge Ⅱ. Introduction to the Passage Ⅲ. Detailed study of the text. Ⅳ. Appreciation of the text. Ⅴ. Exercise- discussion

3. I. Additional background knowledge 1. The city of Hiroshima 1) Hiroshima: Broad island 2) Its location: on the delta at the head of Hiroshima Bay. It is the capital of Hiroshima prefecture, and the chief industrial and population center of the Chugoku region.

5. 3) It’s population : by the beginning of World War II, Hiroshima was the 7th largest city in Japan, with a population of 350,000. 4) Its’ importance: During the war, it was a regional army headquarter and a major rail center and producer of war materials. Now it is an important producer of iron and steel, motor vehicles, ships, machinery, sewing needles, paper, textiles and food products.

6. 2. The first dropping of atomic bomb---“Little Boy” At 8: 15 a.m on August 6, 1945, the first atomic bomb, called “Little Boy” was exploded near the center of Hiroshima,

7. The explosion destroyed almost everything within a radius of 6000 to 8000 feet . Over 71,000 people were killed instantly. Survivors are still dying of leukemia(白血病)， pernicious anema(恶性贫血症)， and other diseases induced by radiation.

8. 3. Why is the word of liveliest in the quotation mark? Hiroshima is very famous for the bomb explosion. A lot of people still suffer a lot from it. 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.

9. Ⅱ. Introduction to the Passage • Type of literature: a piece of radio report 2. The purpose of a piece of radio report: to inform the auditors of the truth 3. Some characteristics of radio report: authenticity and objectivity

10. Ⅲ. Detailed study of the text ▲ Organization of the article: Part 1: (paragraph1- 27) the author’s meeting of the mayor of the city of Hiroshima: Is the city the liveliest city? paragraph1-8: his experience from the station to the city hall. Paragraph9-27: his meeting of the mayor of the city.

11. Part 2(paras27- 38): the author’s visit to the hospital with an atomic section of atomic influenced patients to find the answer to the question of whether the city is the liveliest city in Japan.

12. ▲ Paragraph1-8 • General idea of these paragraphs: The author’ experience from the station to the City Hall.

13. 2. Questions to discuss 1) What information can we get from the 1st paragraph? 2) Did Hiroshima seem the same as other Japanese cities? 3). What do we know about the cab driver and the usher? 4). Why was the author experiencing a twinge of embarrassment at the prospect of meeting the mayor of Hiroshima in his socks?

14. 1).What information can we get from the 1st paragraph? a. He was here on a reportorial mission b. This was not his first assignment. c. He was preoccupied with some sad thoughts, and he was tortured by a guilty conscience. d. He didn’t understand Japanese. e. He was an American reporter.

15. 2). Did Hiroshima seem the same as other Japanese cities? yes. The city of Hiroshima seemed the same as other cities of Japan. --- did not appear to have the same preoccupation --- little girls and elderly ladies … teenagers and women --- serious looking men …

16. 3). What do we know about the cab driver and the usher? ①driver: kind hospitable knowing little of their city but paying much attention to their face.

17. ② the usher: kind patient hospitable considerate.

18. 4). Why was the author experiencing a twinge of embarrassment at the prospect of meeting the mayor of Hiroshima in his socks?

19. 3. Important phrases: 1) have a lump in one’s throat 2) rub shoulders with sb. 3) be oblivious of : 4) in response to 5) at the prospect of

20. 4. Rhetorical devices: rhetorical question metaphor synecdoche

21. Paragraph 9-27 • Main idea: the author’s meeting of the city mayor. 2. Explanation to the parts 3. Questions to discuss ① Why did the mayor say Hiroshima was famous for oyster?

22. ② What are the city people’s attitude toward the atomic explosion? ③ Why did the small old Japanese man ask the author to say that the city was the gayest city in Japan?

23. Paragraphs 27-38 • Main idea: his visit to a hospital with a section to deal with patients of radiation. 2. Explanation to the part 3. Questions to discuss ①

24. Ⅳ. Appreciation of the text 1.Effective Writing Skills 1). accurately recording the dialogues with some Japanese to reinforce the authenticity of the report 2). carefully observing and describing details to reinforce the authenticity of the report 3). vivid and humorous description to make the report interesting

25. 2. Rhetorical Devices 1). metaphor 2). Climax and anti-climax

26. Ⅴ. Exercise- discussion • Questions to discuss 1). What was the writer’s attitude towards Hiroshima? 2). Was Hiroshima in any way different from other Japanese cities? 3). Even in this short description one may find some of the problems of Japan, or at least, of Hiroshima. Can you say what they are? 4). How do the Japanese themselves look at Hiroshima? Why?