Pre-watch preparation

2. Pre-watch preparation • Read the scripts of the movie • Make a list of words, phrases and sentences related to law • Take notes of the difficult points http://www.scu.edu.tw/language/3self-access/dl_movie/MVH_Kramer%20vs_%20Kramer.pdf (for language points) • Find as much information as you can about NYC ftp: 202.200.225.207: esp: movie

3. Kramer vs. Kramer • Pre-watch Qs: 1. What does ‘vs’ mean? 2. Why ‘Kramer vs. Kramer’? What is Joanna’s last name after she divorced Ted? What is Joanna’s maiden Name? 3. What do you know about New York City? (the Big Apple) a) How many boroughs is it consisted of? What are they? b) What are the attractions? What do you know about them?

4. Do you know anything about the following? What comes to your mind speaking of them?

5. Central Park • UN building • Fifth Avenue • Times Square • The Rockefeller Center

6. Do you know the meaning of the following legal terms? • to sue / to prosecute/ to put sb. on the stand • to appeal • to hold sb. in contempt • petition • attorney for the petition • counsel • witness • jury • objection • overruled • sustained • verdict • custody • matrimonial law (civil law/criminal law) • it’s an open-and-shut case • Do we have a case?

7. Can you read the following “words”? What do they mean? • helluva • Wassup • dontchya • Fuhgeddaboudit • whachamacallit • whodunit • I dunno

8. Manhattan

9. While-watch understanding questions • Why did Joanna leave Ted? • What did Joanna do before she left? • Why didn’t she take Billy? • How would you describe Joanna’s situation when she left? And what do you think is the cause? • What was Ted’s reaction towards Joanna’s leaving? (Cf. Margaret’s reaction ) • What do you get about the personalities of Ted and Joanna? • How would you describe Ted’s role in his family before Joanna left? (his relationship with Joanna & Billy) • How would you describe the relationship between Ted and his boss?

10. Topics / Questions for discussion: • 1.Can you describe Ted and Joanna in terms of their personalities and the changes they have gone through after the incident? Please illustrate your points with examples from the movie. Why do you think Ted and Joanna’s marriage ends in divorce? Who is to blame? Do you think their conflict has anything to do with the change in values in the American society? If so, explain what values have changed. • 2.What is meant by “a good husband” and “a good wife”? • As to being a husband, Mr. Shunessy proofs that Ted “has never stricken or physically abused Joanna or Billy, is not an alcoholic, never unfaithful, nor does he ever fail to provide the family in any way”, do you think that’s enough for a good husband? Are there any other qualities you’re looking for in a good husband? How about a good wife (what do you think are the qualities you are looking for in a good wife)? Illustrate your points. • What do you think husband and wife should do to make their marriage work? Which of the following should be the reason to keep a marriage: love, responsibility or children? Please give your reasons.

11. 3.What do you think “being a whole human being” involves? Do you agree that there are things in life more important than being somebody’s mommy and somebody’s wife? Which is more important for a woman, being a mother, a wife or being yourself/herself? Is it possible to play all those roles at the same time? (The same applies to men.) • 4.Do you think the judge does the right thing in giving the custody of the child to Joanna rather than Ted? Why or why not? John Shunessy tells Ted that in most cases involving a child young as Billy the court tends to side with the mother. Why? Ted asks “what law is that that says a woman is a better parent simply by virtue of her sex”. Who do you think makes a better parent, a woman or a man? And why? • 5.What qualities are needed to be a good parent? • As to being a good parent, Joanna says “ just because I needed some kind of creative or emotional outlet other than my child, that didn’t make me unfit to be a mother”. Do you agree with her? Why or why not? And according to Ted, what makes a good parent has to do with “constancy. It has to do with patience. It has to do with listening to him, …has to do with pretending to listen to him when you can’t even listen any more. It has to do with love…” do you agree? Are there any other things (or qualities) involved in being a good parent? If you were a parent, how would you treat your child? List the scenes in the movie which reflect the differences between Americans and Chinese in respect of raising children.

12. Decision-making • Decide whose fault is the breakdown in the relationship as you read the descriptions of each couple • Then rearrange into more suitable couples. Things to consider as you decide: 1. Can the marriage be saved (i.e. if you think it appropriate, you can leave some couples as they are) 2. Is the marriage worth saving? If so, how can the couple be helped?If not, what sort of partner is each person looking for? (i.e. What sort of new husband/wife is needed for each partner, and is such a character available?)   3. What are their attitudes to work/money/children etc.? 4. What would happen to the children?How will the children have the best chance of a stable, affectionate home? How important is it for them to be with their parents?

13. INFORMATION SHEET • Tony and Sue She is very demanding, he is a busy doctor with no time for her. She has had a string of affairs, the most recent with Martin. Tony complains she wastes his money, she says he is stingy. No children. She is bored, spends her time shopping and at parties. • Martin and Rachel Martin has been having an affair with Sue, which he has made no effort to hide. Rachel still loves him, but is deeply hurt by his selfishness and unfaithfulness. There is one six-year-old child. Martin is an architect, good at his work, a good father. She is a teacher, but her home situation is affecting her work badly.

14. Jerry and Ada A rich couple. She has had a mental breakdown and is in hospital, but they had decided to separate before this. She has depressions and is difficult to live with. She won’t give parties or be polite to his business colleagues: this is bad for his career. He married her for her good looks, soon regretted it, and has had several descreet affairs. • Bert and Cathy He is a bus driver, she is a nurse. They are by now on very bad terms, quarrel all the time. He is affectionate, home-loving and conventional, wants her to be a good housewife. She loves her work, is always at the hospital. No children: he wants, she doesn’t.

15. Larry and Edith They have three children, but have been virtually separated (though living in the same house) for two years. Edith is fully occupied being a housewife and mother, Larry is a clerk in an office. The children are disturbed and problematic. Larry has been in love with Ada for many years, but has not tried to approach her for moral and religious reasons. He is stable, but rather stuffy and conventional. • Nina Young, attractive, well-dressed, capable, wants to be a lawyer, mainly because of the social status this will give her; but it is doubtful if she has the patience to study. • Will Aged 30, a widower. He is an explorer, constantly going off on dramatic, rather dangerous expeditions. Would like a wife, but cannot promise any kind of stable home life; does not want children.

16. Preparing for Lesson 2 Back Home • BE vs AE • Arthurian legend King Arthur Lancelot Guinevere Merlin Camelot Holy Grail round table Excalibur Avalon References: • 王丽娟 苏文平:《英国英语与美国英语大对照—英语美语差异谈》，江西文化音像出版社，2000年11月 • 侯维瑞主编： 《英国英语与美国英语》，上海外语教育出版社， 1992

17. 1. How would you describe British people and American people (in character)? • 2. Can you give the American expressions for these British ones concerning traffic? • BE AE • 前方施工 Works Ahead. • 车辆绕行 Diversion. • 此路不通 Close • 让（车） Give Way • 地下通道 subway • 地铁 tube/underground • 人行道 pavement • 3. What are the other differences between British English and American English you know?