Unit8

1. Unit8

2. Cultural information Cultural information Cultural information1 1. Quote O Hare Noel (American Writer): As a modern parent, I know that it’s not how much you give children those counts, it’s the love and attention you shower on them. A caring attitude can not only save you a small fortune, but also even make you feel good about being tight-fisted and offering more care than present.

3. Cultural information 2. Father Cultural information2.1 The father is often seen as an authority figure. A common observation among scholars is that the authority of the father and of the political leader are closely intertwined, that there is a symbolic identification between domestic authority and national political leadership. The fundamental common grounds between domestic and national authority, are the mechanisms of naming (exercise the authority in someone’s name)and identification. In a patriarchal society, authority typically uses such rhetoric of fatherhood and family to implement their rule and advocate its legitimacy.

4. Cultural information In Western culture patriarchy and authority have been synonymous. In the 19th century Europe, the idea was common, among both traditionalist and revolutionaries, that the authority of the domestic father should “be made omnipotent in the family so that it becomes less necessary in the state”. In the second part of that century, there was an extension of the authority of the husband over his wife and the authority of the Cultural information2.2 father over his children, including “increased demands for absolute obedience of children to the father”.

5. Structural analysis Main idea Main idea Global Reading-Text analysis1 • What is the story narrated in the text about? The text recollects a series of events concerning the narrator’s father, who showed profound affection for his daughter by offering her valentines on Valentine’s Day.

6. Structural analysis Main idea 2. Why does the writer focus her accounts and descriptions on her first recollection of the magic her father brought to the occasion and on the last card and gift from him? Global Reading-Text analysis2 Because the first and last gifts her father offered her are the most impressive and the most unforgettable ones.

7. Structural analysis Main idea Structural analysis Structural analysis 1 1. Work out the structure of the text by completing the table. Paragraphs Main idea It gives a brief account of the narrator’s father and points out the theme of the text. 1-2 It provides a detailed account of how the father showed profound affection for his daughter on Valentine’s Day. 3-10

8. Structural analysis Main idea Structural analysis 2 Paragraphs Main idea The narrator tells us how important it has been to her to have such a loving father and that she will never forget her father and his kindness to her. 11-12

9. Structural analysis Main idea 2. The author’s recounting of her Valentine’s Day memories in the second part of the text follows closely the chronological order. Try to pick out the three sentences in this part that indicate the progression of time. Structural analysis 2 The three sentences that indicate the progression of time are: • My first recollection of the magic he could bring to Valentine’s Day came when I was six. (Paragraph 3)

10. Structural analysis Main idea Structural analysis 2 2) As I grew older, the gifts gave way to heart-shaped boxes filled with my favorite chocolates and always included a special card signed “Love, Dad.” (Paragraph 5) 3) My mailbox eventually had a rural address, and the job of hand-delivering candy and cards was relegated to the U.S. Postal Service. (Paragraph 7)

11. Detailed reading My Forever Valentine Detailed reading1 The traditional holidays in our house when I was a child were spent timing elaborate meals around football games. My father tried to make pleasant chitchat and eat as much as he could during half time. At Christmas he found time to have a cup or two of holiday beer and do his holly-shaped bow tie. But he didn’t truly shine until Valentine’s Day. 1

12. Detailed reading Detailed reading2 I don’t know whether it was because work at the office slowed during February or because the football season was over. But Valentine’s Day was the time my father chose to show his love for the special people in his life. Over the years I fondly thought of him as my “Valentine Man”. 2

13. Detailed reading My first recollection of the magic he could bring to Valentine’s Day came when I was six. For several days I had been cutting out valentines for my classmates. Each of us was to decorate a “mailbox” and put it on our desk for others to give us cards. That box and its contents ushered in a succession of bittersweet memories of my entrance into a world of popularity contests marked by the number of cards received, the teasing about boyfriends/girlfriends and the tender care I gave to the card from the cutest boy in class. Detailed reading3 3

14. Detailed reading That morning at the breakfast table I found a card and a gift-wrapped package at my chair. The card was signed “Love, Dad,” and the gift was a ring with a small piece of red glass to represent my birthstone, a ruby. There is little difference between red glass and rubies to a child of six, and I remember wearing that ring with a pride that all the cards in the world could not surpass. 4 Detailed reading4

15. Detailed reading Detailed reading5 As I grew older, the gifts gave way to heart-shaped boxes filled with my favorite chocolates and always included a special card signed “Love, Dad.” In those years my thank-yous became more of a perfunctory response. The cards seemed less important, and I took for granted the valentine that would always be there. Long past the days of having a “mailbox” on my desk, I had placed my hopes and dreams in receiving cards and gifts from “significant others,” and “Love, Dad” just didn’t seem quite enough. 5

16. Detailed reading If my father knew then that he had been replaced, he never let it show. If he sensed any disappointment over valentines that didn’t arrive for me, he just tried that much harder to create a positive atmosphere, giving me an extra hug and doing what he could to make my day a little brighter. My mailbox eventually had a rural address, and the job of hand-delivering candy and cards was relegated to the U.S. Postal Service. Never in ten years was my father’s package late nor was it on the Valentine’s Day eight years ago when I reached into the mailbox to find a card addressed to me in my mother’s handwriting. 6 Detailed reading6-7 7

17. Detailed reading It was the kind of card that comes in an inexpensive assortment box sold by a child going door to door to try to earn money for a school project. It was the kind of card you used to get from a grandmother or an aging aunt or, in this case, a dying father. It was the kind of card that put a lump in your throat and tears in your eyes because you knew the person no longer was able to go out and buy a real valentine. It was a card that signaled this would be the last you would receive from him. The card had a photograph of tulips on the outside, and on the inside my mother had printed “Happy Valentine’s Day.” Beneath it, scrawled in barely legible handwriting was “Love, Dad.” 8 Detailed reading8-10 9 10

18. Detailed reading His final card remains on my bulletin board today. It’s a reminder of how special fathers can be and how important it has been to me over the years to know that I had a father who continued a tradition of love with a generosity of spirit, simple acts of understanding and an ability to express happiness over the people in his life. Those things never die, nor does the memory of a man who never stopped being my valentine. Detailed reading11-12 11 12

19. Detailed reading time: v. arrange or set the time at which something happens or is to happen Detailed reading—time1 e.g. You timed your arrival well; we were just going to have dinner. Collocations: be timed to do sth. be timed for sth. e.g. The train is timed to arrive at 6 o’clock. e.g. The next show is timed for 8 o’clock.

20. Detailed reading Comparisons: ill-timed, well-timed, mistime Detailed reading—time2 ill-timed:adj. happening or done at the wrong time well-timed:adj. happening or done at the most suitable time mistime: v. do something at the wrong time or at an unsuitable time

21. Detailed reading elaborate:adj. containing a lot of small details or parts that are connected with each other in a complicated way Detailed reading—elaborate e.g. She made elaborate preparations for the party. The curtains had an elaborate pattern of flowers. Collocation: elaborate plan/notes/excuses,etc. Derivations: elaborate: v. elaborateness: n. Translation: The problem is too elaborate. 这个问题太复杂了。

22. Detailed reading • fondly:adv. • in a way that shows you like someone very much • 2) in a foolishly hopeful manner Detailed reading–fondly e.g. She greeted her old friend fondly. e.g. She fondly imagined that she could pass her examination without working hard. Comparison: lovely: adj. beautiful or attractive; friendly and pleasant Derivations: fond: adj. fondness: n.

23. Detailed reading The traditional holidays in our house when I was a child were spent timing elaborate meals around football games. ( Paragraph 1) Detailed reading—S_ The traditional holidays… Explanation: Some of the traditional holidays in the United States are Valentine’s Day (February 14); St. Patrick’ Day (March 17); and Halloween (October 31). In some states, Arbor Day, Bird Day, and Flag Day are school holidays. Child Health Day (the first Monday in October) is widely observed in schools. Many schools and some businesses close on Good Friday. Translation: 小时候，我们家的传统节日总是根据足球比赛的时间来准备精美的饭菜。

24. Detailed reading Paragraph 2 Detailed reading2—Question • Questions • What was the narrator’s father? And what was his hobby? The narrator’s father did office work. He was fond of watching football matches. 2) Why did the narrator think of her father as her Valentine Man? Because her father chose Valentine’s Day to show his profound affection for her by presenting her with gifts and showing great care for her on that particular day for many years in succession until he passed away.

25. Detailed reading Paragraph 3 Detailed reading3--Question Question What does “the magic” mentioned in Paragraph 3 refer to? “The magic” mentioned in Paragraph 3 refers to charm added to the day by the wonderful gifts and the profound affection that the narrator’s father gave her.

26. Detailed reading recollection:n. memory; the power or action of remembering the past; something in one’s memory of the past Detailed reading–recollection e.g. I have no recollection of meeting him. Comparison: recollection, collection collection:n. a group of things that are put together Practice: 1) 2) A of empty wine bottles stood on the back porch. Her of the events is rather patchy. _________ collection recollection __________ Derivation: recollect: v.

27. Detailed reading succession:n. happening one after another Detailed reading–succession Collocations: in succession a succession of e.g. She won the championship four times in succession. e.g. A succession of visitors came to the door. Comparisons: succession to the throne, accession to the throne succession to the throne: the act of becoming the next king or queen accession to the throne: the act of becoming king or queen

28. Detailed reading contest:n. a struggle to win control or power; a competition, esp. one judged by a group of specially chosen judges Detailed reading– contest e.g. Many beautiful girls from the five continents participated in the Beauty Contest. Comparison: match:n. an organized sports event between two teams or people Derivations: contestant: n. someone who competes in a contest contest: v.

29. Detailed reading cute: adj. 1) attractive in an amusing or interesting way Detailed reading– cute e.g. What a cute little baby! 2) (sometimes derog.) (too) clever; shrewd e.g. You must approach her carefully, for she is a cute woman. Synonyms: lovely, pleasant Derivation: cuteness: n.

30. Detailed reading surpass: v. exceed; go beyond in amount, degree, or quality Detailed reading– surpass1 e.g. China wants to catch up with and surpass the developed countries in the world. Collocation: surpass expectations/hopes/dreams: be better than you had expected, hoped, etc. e.g. Her splendid performances surpassed all our expectations. Derivation: surpassing: adj. much better than that of other people or things

31. Detailed reading Translation: Detailed reading– surpass2 He surpassed all his rivals. 他比所有的对手都强。

32. Detailed reading Paragraph 5 Detailed reading5-Question Question What gifts did the narrator’s father give her as she grew older? As she grew older, the narrator’s father gave her such gifts as heart-shaped boxes filled with her favorite chocolates, which always included a special card signed “Love, Dad.”

33. Detailed reading give way 1) have its place taken by Detailed reading—give way e.g. Steam trains gave way to electric trains. 2) agree to do what someone else wants to do, instead of what you wanted to do e.g. He is too stubborn to give way. Comparisons: give away, give in give in: unwillingly agree to someone’s demands after they have spent a lot of time arguing with you, trying to persuade you e.g. They argued back and forth until finally Buzz gave in.

34. Detailed reading perfunctory:adj. (of an action) done hastily and without thought, interest or care Detailed reading–perfunctory e.g. Olivia dismissed him with a perfunctory nod. Antonym: discreet: adj. done or said in a careful way Derivation: perfunctory: n. someone who is perfunctory

35. Detailed reading That box and its contents ushered in a succession of bittersweet memories of my entrance into a world of popularity contests marked by the number of cards received, the teasing about boyfriends/girlfriends and the tender care I gave to the card from the cutest boy in class. (Paragraph 3) Detailed reading—S_ That box and its … Translation: 那只箱子以及其中的贺卡礼物勾起了我一连串苦乐交织的回忆：（六岁起，）我开始加入一场场展示受欢迎程度的角逐，最终结果取决于收到贺卡的数量、有关男女朋友的揶揄，以及我给予班中最可爱的男生所赠贺卡的关爱程度。

36. Detailed reading As I grew older, the gifts gave way to heart-shaped boxes filled with my favorite chocolates and always included a special card signed “Love, Dad. ” (Paragraph 5) Detailed reading—S_ As I grew older… Explanation: The affectionate message might be carried by a heart-shaped box of chocolate candies, or by a bouquet of tulips tied with filmy red ribbon. Translation: 长大后，我收到的礼物变成了心形的盒子。里面装满了我最喜欢的巧克力，还随附一张很特别的卡片，上面写着“我的心肝，爱你的爸爸”。

37. Detailed reading Detailed reading—S_ He never… He never let it show. (Paragraph 6) Paraphrase: He never revealed his feelings.

38. Detailed reading Activity: Making sentences Detailed reading-Activity Directions: Use the following words and expressions to make sentences. elaborate cute fondly recollection succession surpass give way

39. Detailed reading Detailed reading—7 Question Paragraph 7 Question Why was the job of hand-delivering candy and cards relegated to the U.S. Postal Service? Because the narrator settled down in a rural area, which was far away from where her father lived.

40. Detailed reading eventually:adv. at last; in the end Detailed reading-- eventually e.g. After many attempts she eventually managed to get promotion. Comparison: eventfully:adv. in a way that is full of interesting or important events Derivations: eventual: adj. eventuality: n. a possible event or result, esp. an unpleasant one

41. Detailed reading deliver: v. take goods, letters, etc. to people’s houses or places of work Detailed reading--deliver e.g. Letters are delivered every day. Collocation: deliver sth. to e.g. Could you deliver this letter to the accounts department? Derivations: deliverer: n. someone who takes goods, letters, etc. to people’s houses or places of work delivery: n. the act of bringing goods, letters, etc. to the person or place they have been sent to

42. Detailed reading relegate: v. put into a lower or worse place Detailed reading--relegate e.g. He was relegated to a remote place to do farm work. Comparison: delegate:v. give part of your power or work to someone in a lower position Practice: 1) 2) A good manager knows when to . Their football team was . delegate ________ relegated _________ Derivation: relegation: n.

43. Detailed reading assortment:n. a mixture of different things or of various kinds of the same thing Detailed reading--assortment e.g. She has an odd assortment of friends. This is an assortment of sweets. Synonym: collection: n. a group of things that are put together Derivation: assorted: adj. of various different kinds

44. Detailed reading scrawl: v. write in a careless, hurried, awkward, or unskillful way Detailed reading--scrawl e.g. She scrawled a brief note and handed it to her secretary. Synonym: scribble: v. write something quickly and untidily Practice: 1) 2) Don’t on the wall. I his phone number in my address book. scrawl ______ scribbled ________ Derivation: scrawl: n. something written in an untidy careless way

45. Detailed reading legible:adj. (of handwriting or print) that can be read, esp. easily Detailed reading--legible e.g. Her handwriting was tiny and barely legible. Antonym: illegible Derivation: legibility: n.

46. Detailed reading Never in ten years was my father’s package late nor was it on the Valentine’s Day eight years ago when I reached into the mailbox to find a card addressed to me in my mother’s handwriting. (Paragraph 7) Detailed reading—S_ Never in ten … Translation: 10年中，我父亲的包裹总是准时寄到，即使在8年前的情人节，也是如此。那天，我把手伸进邮箱，拿到的是一张寄给我的卡片，上面是我母亲的笔记。

47. Detailed reading It was the kind of card that put a lump in your throat and teas in your eyes because you knew the person no longer was to go out and buy a real valentine. (Paragraph 9) Detailed reading—S_ It was the kind of… Translation: 这是张能让人喉咙哽咽、泪水盈眶的贺卡，因为当你看到它时，你明白这个人再也无法出门给你买情人节贺卡了。

48. Detailed reading Paragraphs 8-10 Detailed reading-8-10 Question Question How did the writer describe the final card she received from her dying father? It was an ordinary-looking card, but full of her dying father's year-long affection for her which could move the author into tears.

49. Detailed reading Paragraphs 11-12 Detailed reading—11-12 Question Questions 1) Why does her father’s final card still remain on her bulletin board today? It’s a reminder of her father, being special and important for her years long. 2) Would you please paraphrase the concluding part? It is something that makes me remember how particularly great fathers can be and how valuable and influential it has been to me over the years to have such a loving father. Those things will always live in my heart, and the same is true of the memory with my father on Valentine’s Day.

50. Detailed reading reminder:n. something that reminds you of something that happened in the past Detailed reading-reminder Collocation: reminder of sth. e.g. Her disability remains as a perpetual reminder of the war years. Comparison: remembrance:n. a memory that you have of a person or event Derivation: remind: v.