Unit 8 The Kindness of Strangers Mike Mclntyre

1. Unit 8 The Kindness of StrangersMike Mclntyre

2. Teaching procedures • Ⅰ Warm-up questions • Ⅱ Background • Ⅲ Pre-class work • Ⅳ Glossary • Ⅴ General understanding of the text • Ⅵ Detailed study of the text • Ⅶ Language Focus • Ⅷ Exercises

3. Ⅰ Warm-up questions • 1. Do you agree that it would be foolish to trust strangers? Give your reasons and examples. • 2. Have you ever been helped by strangers when you were in trouble? Tell your own experiences. • 3.Have you ever imagined a penniless journey in China? What do you think it might be like?

4. Ⅱ Background 1. The Basic American Values • Typically every American has the same basic values and traits that have originated from America's rich past and that gives America its identity. • Since the majority of the early settlers were Christian, they believed that they had a responsibility to improve themselves and be the best they could be, to develop their talents, and to help their neighbors. • There is also a belief that Americans should "be all they can be" which came from our Christian heritage. • The Americans believe in progress and a better future. • Americans like action. • Self-reliance, equality of opportunity, hard work, material wealth, and competition are also among the basic american values .

5. Ⅱ Background 2. The Basic Traits or Characterstics of Americans • A true and idealistic American has many characteristics that distinguish him from other people around the world. • He is prideful in everything he possesses or accomplishes. • The true American is very hardworking and competitive in everything he does, but is also respectful of others and their beliefs. • Independence is another important attribute of the ideal American. • An ideal American keeps himself informed and knowledgable about events and issues in his world.

6. Ⅱ Background (The Map of America)

7. Ⅱ Background美国地图（中文版）

8. Ⅱ Background 4. About the text The text is adapted from the original article by the author which appeared in Reader’s Digest,May 1997. • The Reader’s Digest is an 80-year-old popular American magazine, second only to TV guide in circulation. • It is published in 18 languages and more than 24 million copies are sold world-wide monthly. • The large circulation indicates that it is designed to appeal to average people. • Therefore, most articles from this magazine reflect traditional American values and tend to paint a generally positive picture of the land and people of the United States.

9. Ⅱ Background 5. About the author When Mike McIntyre quit his job andwent looking for the real America,something amazing happened. He found it. • Mike McIntyre, a 37-year-old journalist with a beautiful girlfriend and a decent newspaper job in San Francisco, was living the easy life when he had a sudden revelation: His life was utterly devoid of meaning. "I was empty of passion. I was numb. I was halfway to nowhere. I was dead," McIntyre writes in "The Kindness ofStrangers," attempting to hitchhike cross-country without money, credit cards, with nothing more than a backpack and a passion to discover himself and America.

10. I'm afraid of failure and I'm afraid of success ... But what really scares me is living." • In the fall of 1994 McIntyre decided to make a final stand against his fears by walking over the Golden Gate Bridge. He set out, not sure what awaited him in a land where only serial killers and teen runaways hitchhike, a land with images of guns, greed. Miraculously a man gave him a lift north.

11. Through his travels, he found varying degrees of kindness in strangers from all walks of life - and discovered more about people and values and life on the road in America than he'd ever thought possible. • The gifts of food and shelter he received along the way were outweighed only by the touching gifts of the heart - the willingness of many he met to welcome a lonely stranger into their homes...and the discovery that sometimes those who give the most are the ones with the least to spare. • In the process he learns that this country is full of good-hearted strangers willing to take the risk of kindness.

12. Ⅱ Background 6.Other people’s opinion on Mike Mclntyre He is a disillusioned journalist abandons his job, his girlfriend and his bank account to backpack penniless from San Francisco to Cape Fear, N.C. Refusing to accept money, he places himself totally at the mercy of strangers. With only a few harrowing encounters, he is given rides, fed and sheltered almost consistently throughout his journey. • Refreshing glimpse of American spirit This book shed a ray of light on the dimming light of humanity in our world. A man leaves home with only identification and hitch hikes across the country relying only on the "kindness of strangers." Although he clearly points out that were he not male the outcome could have been much different, the story is still heart warming. I have recommended this to so many friends and all have thanked me for helping them search their hearts and souls.

13. Ⅲ Preclass work(p 170-172) Useful phrases and idioms be grateful to pass by sb by the roadside depend on pull over(said of a car) pick up a hitchhike feel sad about sth rob sb at knifepoint find out about sth run contrary to from coast to coast run over sb head for a place stay at in need watch out for would rather in the middle

14. Ⅲ Preclass work(p 170-172) Verb noun collocation accept the offer plan the journey conquer fear renew one’s faith cook a dish risk life cover a certain distance rob sb rouse one’s curiosity entertain guests feed animals scold a child hitch many rides shelter people invite sb test the theory pitch a tent warn sb

15. Ⅳ Glossary 1. Listen to the recording of the glossary first. 2. Some words to pay special attention to addict amaze compassionate conquer contrary display entaintain intrigue lurk pitch renew skid

16. Ⅴ General understanding of the text • Type of writing: narration • Event: A cashless journey across the U.S from west to east. • Place: from the west to the east of U.S. • Time: Sept. 6---Oct. 21, 1994 • Characters: ‘I’ and the people helping me • Reason: to find out whether now people can rely on the kindness of strangers • Process:This story doesn’t give a complete account of the process of the journey, but choose some typical plots/ details that show people’s kindness to him. E.g the women driver, the trucker, the house painter, Mike; the lumber-mill worker, Tim; the Wilson’s. • Result: I found the answer to my question.

17. Ⅴ General understanding of the text The main idea • One summer day he refused to offer the young man a ride for his own safety. He could not forget the incident because it raised a Q in his mind: In Us can one depend on the kindness of strangers? So he decided to make a cashless journey from the Pacific to the Atlantic to see if in America people can rely on the kindness of strangers. He hitched 82 rides and covered 4223 miles across 14 states for six weeks. When he concluded his journey, his faith in his country and in his people had been renewed.

18. Ⅴ General understanding of the text The Structure The text can be roughly divided into three parts, which can be further divided into several sections. • Ⅰ The introduction : an experience of the writer that set him thinking of a trip to find whether people could still depend on the kindness of strangers(paras. 1-4) • Ⅱ The body: his journey(paras. 5-13)The general information about his journey and he was treated by strangers with kindness on his journey. • Ⅲ Conclusion (paras. 14-15) He has regained his faith in his country and people can still depend on the kindness of strangers. Ⅵ

19. Ⅵ Detailed study of the textPart one (paras.1-4) Questions : • 1.What was the author doing one summer? • 2.What did he see ? • 3.Did he do what he was expected to do? Why/why not? • 4.Did the author easily forget about the incident soon? Why/why not? • 5.What did the author decide to do? • 6.Why did he make such a decision?

20. Ⅵ Detailed study of the text Part one (paras.1-4) 1. In the middle of the desert, I came upona young man standing by the roadside. (para. 1) • to come upon: (literary) to meet, find, or discover by chance or by accident • More examples: • During their trip they came upon an unknown animal. • The other day, I came upon the book that had sold out. • Compare: “to come upon” and “ to come across” • to come across: 1)to be understood eg: He said something but his meaning didn’t come across. 2) to meet or find sb./sth. by chance eg: I came across an old friend in the street the other day.

21. 2.He had his thumb out and held agas can in his other hand. (para. 1) • This is the usual gesture of hitchhikers when they ask for a free ride. • The gas can obviously is meant to explain why they need this favor. ( They have run out of gas.)

22. 3. There was a time…whenyou’d be considereda jerkif … (para. 1) • When here is used to introduce an attributive clause. • For example: • A—Has he always been in such poor health? • B—No, there was a time when he was strong as a horse. Substitues: Has he always been so fond of Western music? Has corruption always been such a serious problem? • jerk: (informal) a stupid person who does not care about the effects of his actions

23. 4. With gangs, drugs addicts, murderers, rapists, thieves lurking everywhere,“I don’t want to get involved” has become a national motto. (para. 1) • With gangs, ……: This is a prepositional phrase(“with” + its complex object) used as an adverbial of reason. It could be turned into an adverbial clause introduced by “as”: As gangs …… • gang: a group of criminals who work together • addict: someone who is unable to stop taking drugs • to lurk: to wait silently and secretly, ready to do wrong

24. 5. Leaving him stranded…did not bother me so much. What bothered me was … (para. 2) • leave sb/sth done: to make sb/sth stay in a certain state. • More examples: • They left the food untouched. • Never leave the door unlocked. • We are not going to leave anyghing untried. • What bothered me : What here is used to introcuce a subjective clause. • More examples: • What he said was funny. • What he did was right.

25. 6. I never even lifted my foot off the accelerator. (para. 2) • The author was really shocked—how he could have been so indifferent, so unfeeling and so unsympathetic. • accelerator: the part of a car that can make the car go faster when you press it

26. 7. One way to test this would be for a person to journey from coast without any money, relying solely on the goodwill of his fellow Americans.(para. 3) • “ to rely on” and “to depend on” are sometimes synonyms. But in the following context, “to depend on” is the right choice: • --Are you going? • --That depends. It depends on whether I’m free. • fellow Americans: other Americans like oneself. • eg: fellow workers/students/countrymen

27. 8. The idea intrigued me. (para. 4) • to intrigue: to interest greatly; to fascinate; to attract • More examples: • Does my story intrigue you? • 我讲的故事你感兴趣吗？ • Fairy-tales intrigue most children.  • 大多数孩子都十分喜爱神话故事。

28. Ⅵ Detailed study of the textPart two (paras.5-13) Questions : • 1.What did the author diecide to do? • 2.Why did he choose Cape Fear as his destination ? Why did he write down “America” on the board to indicate where he was going? • 3. What did the author mean when he said that it would be “ a cashless journey through the land of the almighty dollor”? Why is the United States called “ the land of almighty dollar”? Is it true? • 4. I didn’t know whether to kiss them or scold them for • stopping.(para. 8) • --Why should he want to scold them? What had they done wrong? • 5. …a trucker pulled over, locking his brakes so hard he skidded on the grass shoulder. (para. 9) • --Why did the driver brake so hard and suddenly? What does the word “shoulder” mean here?

29. 1. The week I turned 37, I realized that I had never taken a gamble in my life. (para.5) • the week I turned 37… : the week (when) I turned 37… • to take a gamble: “take + a + noun” phrase, such as “ to take a rest”, “to take a risk”, etc. • 2. …through the land of the almighty dollar. (para.5) • the land of the almighty dollars: the country in which money has as much power as God ( “it” here refers to the U.S.)

30. 3. … and headed for the Golden Gate Bridge with a 50-pound pack on my back and a sign displaying my destination to passing vehicles: “America”. (para.6) • The author was holding a sign showing people where he was going. The fact that he put down “America” as his destination may have been the reason why he had been so well treated. It must have caught the attention of the media and roused people’s patriotic feeling.

31. 4. In Montana they told me to watch out for the cowboy in Wyoming. (para.7) • watch out for: to be careful about. • eg: Watch out for cars when you are crossing the street. Watch out! The train is coming.

32. 5. … when it seemed to run contrary to their own best interests. (para. 7) to run contrary to : to run against; to run counter to • Paraphrase: when it seemed to be in a way that is opposite to their best interests./… when it seemed to be exactly what they should not have done for their own safety.

33. 6. … a car pulled to the road shoulder. (para. 8) • the word “pull” is often used to describe the movement of a car. e.g. • He had to pull up at the red light. (to make the car come to a halt) • The policeman ordered him to pull over. (to stop his car at the side of the road) • She pulled in to let the truck pass. (to move to the side of the road and stop) • She pulled in to let the truck pass. • (to move to the side of the road and stop) • shoulder: (AmE) an area of ground at the side of the road where drivers can stop their cars if they have some trouble; roadside

34. 7. I didn’t know whether to kiss them or scold them for stopping. (para. 8) • “whether” can not be replaced by “if” here. “if is usually followed by a clause and without “or”. • Paraphrase: I didn’t know whether I should thank them for their kindness or criticize them for running this risk. • The author was obviously deeply touched. He said this to emphasize the kindness and courage of the two old ladies, not to suggest that it was wrong or stupid.

35. 8. … she’d rather risk her life than feel bad about… (para. 8) • … she preferred to risk her life rather than feel guilty about… • More examples of the use of “would rather …than …”; • I’d rather stay at home than go out tomorrow. • I’d rather marry someone I can trust than someone who has lots of money but no hearts. • I’d rather live a simple with clean air, clean water and clean food than a life of luxury in a heavily polluted place. • would rather+that clause… • e.g. I’d rather that he came here next week. • (subjunctive mood, indicating that he is • here now, objecting to present reality)

36. 9. But I hate to see… (para. 9) hate to do sth. Examples: I hate to disturb you, but could you take a look at my computer? I really hate to ask my parents for money. 10. … that people were generally compassionate. (para. 10) compassionate: feeling sympathy for sb. who is suffering. “compassionate” and “sympathetic” are synonyms. But in the following sentences, the word “sympathetic” is used, not “compassionate”: They are very sympathetic to our plan. I like to talk to her about my problems. she has a very sympathetic ear.

37. 13. … most people around here will let you pitch a tent…（para. 12) to pitch a tent : to set up a tent. more examples: solve a problem park a car mow the lawn make sense more “pitch” phrases: to pitch into sb. : attack sb.; criticize sb. to pitch into (doing) sth.: start an activity with enthusiam

38. 14. Now we’re talking. (para.12) • This is used when you think someone’s suggestion is a very good idea. • More examples: • 1)—I suggest we first get a hamburger and then a big ice cream. • --Now we(you) are talking! Let’s go. • 2)—Let’s call it a day. We can’t work all day. • -- Now we(you)are talking.

39. 15. Tell you what.(para.12) “(I’ll ) tell you what” is used when you are suggesting or offering sth. • More examples: • 1) –I’d like to go very much. But it’s too far way. --Tell you what. You take my car. I’m not going anywhere today. • 2) –I won’t be able to come back home until 7:00. But I have to pick up my son at 5:30. --Tell you what. I’ll pick up your son and take him to my place.

40. 16. … “mountain stay-at-home people” who rarely entertained in their house.(para.13) • stay-at-home people: people who are happy to stay at home all the time and do not like to do exciting things • Please pay attention to the way this compound word is formed. • More examples: • the next-to-last step / a wait-and-see-policy / a take-it-or-leave-it attitude / a get-rich-quick dream

41. 17. Thisrevelation made my night there all the more special. .(para.13) • revelation: something surprising suddenly made known to you. It comes from the verb “reveal”. • the revelation of truth/ his identity • all the more special: used for emphasis, ehich means ‘more special than usual”. Similarly: • All the more difficult, all the more interesting

42. Ⅵ Detailed study of the text Part three (paras.14-15) • Questions: • In paragraph 15, the author writes, “ In spite of everything, you can still depend on the kindness of strangers.” • --In spite of what? Are people still ready to help strangers because they are not aware of the risk? Is it because crimes are so rare that nobody is actually worried?

43. 1. I …had been scheduled to talk to every class….(para.14) • be scheduled to do sth: to be planned that sb will do sth or sth will happen • More examples: • She is scheduled to give a lecture tonight. • The sale is scheduled for tomorrow. • a scheduled flight/ service定期航班、服务 • schedule n. • ahead of / on / behind/ according to schedule

44. 2. I told the students how my faith in America had been renewed. • 1) renew: to make or form sth again, re-establish • e.g. renew friendship / relationship / contact, etc. • 2) renew: to say or state (sth) again • e.g. renew a request, complaint, criticism, protest • 3) renew: replace (sth) with sth new of the same kind • e.g. renew worn tyres • 4) renew: (esp. passive) put new life or vigor into • e.g. work with renewed enthusiasm • 5) renew: arrange for (sth) to be valid without a break; extend • e.g. renew a passport, permit, lease, contract

45. 3. In spite of everything, you can still depend on the kindness of strangers. • In spite of : regardless of; despite • More examples: • They went out in spite of the rain. • In spite of all his efforts, he failed. • In spite of the bad weather conditions, we still have a good harvest.

46. Ⅶ Language focus • 1. Key Words to run • 2. Word formation suffixes: -an, ese, ive • 3. Verb pattern He bought me a book.(double objects)

47. Ⅶ Language focus 4. Useful idioms and phrases be grateful to pass by sb by the roadside depend on pull over(said of a car) pick up a hitchhike feel sad about sth rob sb at knifepoint find out about sth run contrary to from coast to coast run over sb head for a place stay at in need watch out for would rather in the middle

48. Ⅶ Language focus 5. Verb noun collocation accept the offer plan the journey conquer fear renew one’s faith cook a dish risk life cover a certain distance rob sb rouse one’s curiosity entertain guests feed animals scold a child hitch many rides shelter people invite sb test the theory pitch a tent warn sb

49. Ⅶ Language focus • 6. Synonym discrimination remember, recall, memorize visit, tour, trip, journey find, find out but ,however particular, special middle, center • 7. Grammar 1) present participles as adverbial 2) what-clause

50. Ⅷ Exercises • Omitted.