unit 2 the beginning of a carreer bill ji english department, yzu 季小民...

Unit 2 THE BEGINNING OF A CARREER Bill Ji English Department, YZU [email protected] [email protected]

I. New Words mademoiselle n. French title equivalent to Miss, abbr. Mlle shady a. full of or providing shad; dark This is a shady avenue. interior n. the inner part of sth; inside an interior monologue the Interior Minister exterior

insane a. seriously ill in the mind; mad certifying patients as clinically insane His eyes glowing with insane fury. anyhow ad. in any case; anyway He told me not to buy it, but I bought it anyhow. , , brass n. (sl.) high officials, executives, etc. (also, top brass) They are the top brass of steel industry.

net vt. gain as profit the net worth of the business net weight net profit The camera will cost you, net of VAT, about 300. 300 (Value-Added Tax , ) gross

companion n. one who is often with another person; friend my companions in misfortune They were drinking companions. . The Oxford Companion to English Literature make a companion of companionship companionable

beer n. a bitter alcoholic drink made from grain Black/ dark beer home-brewed beer chill beer [often with negative] (Brit.) amusement or enjoyment ( ) e.g., Life isn t all beer and skittles. Alcohol; vintage ( ); water of life ( , ); liquid fire ([ ] ); liquor; cocktail

brassy a. loud and daring in a tasteless manner brass copper, zinc copper jolly vt. make (sb.) feel good or agreeable, esp. to gain and end He was a jolly man full of jokes. They jollied her into going with them.

protagonist n. the chief character in a play or novel the protagonist of a play She was herself a vehement protagonist of gender equality. gabby a. very talkative =chatty;talkative; talky

ratio n. the relationship in number, quantity or size between two different things (pl. -s) The ratio of men s jobs to women s is 8 to 1. 8 1 in the ratio of four to six (4:6) in direct ratio in inverse [reciprocal] ratio

tag vt. follow closely We were tagged that car was following us. (Brit. informal) She meant to tag her question on at the end of her remarks. (add) He left because he didn t want to be tagged as a soap star.

gracious a. very well-mannered and pleasant gracious living the accession of Her present gracious Majesty [(Brit.)a polite epithet used of royalty or their acts( ) )] cute a. sharp-witted, clever, charmingly attractive Kate is four, and as cute as a button! (usually used about a baby or a child, or sb/sth small ) She had a real cute idea.

pal n. (infml) friend Listen, pal, I don t want you talking to my sister any more. , , I used to pal around with Brad. They palled up at college. flip vi. turn over quickly The yacht was flipped by a huge wave. The plane flipped over and then exploded. Just flip through the phone book and pick a lawyer.

index n. an alphabetical list of the names and subjects in a printed work to compile an index the quality index price index It s a general index to the whole work.

soar vi. fly high into the air; rise beyond what is common and ordinary The bird spread its wings and soared into the air. The cost of living continued to soar. soaring crime rate a.

tangible a. real; clear or definite enough to be easily seen, felt or noticed tangible assets The atmosphere of neglect and abandonment was almost tangible. The policy has not yet brought any tangible benefits. intangible business property like trademarks and patents

testimony n. proof; evidence His blackened finger was testimony to the fact that he had played in pain. He was called in to bear testimony to what the police officer said. call sb. in testimony produce testimony to [of] ...

germ n. the beginning of anything; origin the germ of a brilliant idea. Colds are spread by germs. Is this milk free from germs? ?

outlet n. a way of releasing sth. The outlet of a water pipe was blocked. The state system provided an outlet for farm produce. Writing became the main outlet for his energies.

perspective n. view; outlook; way of thinking about things a perspective drawing This website puts a completely different perspective on world news.

broaden v. make or become broader The river slowed and broadened out slightly. broaden one's horizons yearn vi. have a strong desire; long They yearned to go home. yearn for rest

uproot vt. tear up by the roots The elephant s trunk is powerful enough to uproot trees. My father traveled constantly and uprooted his family several times. A revolution is necessary to uproot the social order.

inferiority n. the state or condition of being not good or less good in quality or value numerical inferiority She accepted her inferiority to her rivals. superiority inferior ~ in e.g., These later paintings are slightly inferior in value. ~ to e.g., His later work was vastly inferior to his early work.

complex I am developing a guilt complex about it. inferiority complex: an abnormal feeling not as good as other people, sometimes resulting in avoidance of others or overly aggressive behavior = (a sense of inferiority)

gang n. a group of friends who frequently meet a government road gang the Gang of Four The smaller supermarket chains are ganging together to beat the big boys. V. They ganged up on me and nicked my pocket money. V.

Starry, Starry Night starry a. filled with stars that are visible a starry sky The series had the benefit of a starry cast. = sparkling starless

metaphysical a. highly abstract; philosophical the essentially metaphysical question of the nature of mind. Their argument was too metaphysical for me to follow. ,

disorganized a. in a confused state; badly planned or managed The campaign was hopelessly disorganized. organized = confused; disordered

preoccupy vt. fill the thoughts of sb. almost completely, esp. so that not enough attention is given to other things His mother was preoccupied with paying the bills. His seat had been preoccupied. She seemed a bit preoccupied. (a.)

mechanics n. the way in which sth. works or is done This is a course in mechanics. The mechanics of the machine are very old. They all thought some mechanics. the mechanics of play-writing

assimilate vt. take into the body and digest; understand completely and be able to use properly Pop trends are assimilated into the mainstream with alarming speed. The older generation had more trouble assimilating. dissimilate

chaos n. a state of complete and thorough disorder and confusion A serious road accident caused traffic chaos yesterday. * the formless matter supposed to have existed before the creation of the universe

II. Proper Names Sylvia Plath . Pen nameVictoria Lucas Pen name OccupationPoet, novelist, and short story writer OccupationPoetnovelistshort story NationalityAmerican NationalityAmerican EthnicityAustrian, German EthnicityAustrianGerman EducationCambridge UniversityCambridge University Alma materSmith CollegeSmith College

Writing period1960 1963 GenresAutobiography, children's literature, feminism, mental health, roman clef Notable work(s)The Bell JarThe Bell Jar Notable award(s) Fulbright scholarship Glascock Prize 1955 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry

Sylvia Plath (October 27, 1932 February 11, 1963) was an American poet, novelist, children's author, and short story author. Known primarily for her poetry, Plath also wrote a semi-autobiographical novel, The Bell Jar, under the pseudonym Victoria Lucas. The book's protagonist, Esther Greenwood, is a bright, ambitious student at Smith College who begins to experience a mental breakdown while interning for a fashion magazine in New York.

The plot parallels Plath's experience interning at Mademoiselle magazine and subsequent mental breakdown and suicide attempt. Along with Anne Sexton, Plath is credited with advancing the genre of confessional poetry initiated by Robert Lowell and W. D. Snodgrass.

Plath's grave at Heptonstall church, West Yorkshire

Cape Cod Cape Cod, often referred to as simply the Cape, and called Cape of Keel by early Norse explorers, is a peninsula in the easternmost portion of the state of Massachusetts, in the Northeastern United States. It is coextensive with Barnstable County. Several smaller islands off Cape Cod, including Monomoy Island, Monomoscoy Island, Popponesset Island, and Seconsett Island, are also in Barnstable County, being part of municipalities with land on the Cape. The Cape's small-town character and large beachfront attract heavy tourism during the summer months.

Cape Cod Cape Cod was formed as the terminal moraine of a glacier, resulting in a peninsula in the Atlantic Ocean. In 1914, the Cape Cod Canal was cut through the base or isthmus of the peninsula. It is still identified as a peninsula by geographers, who do not change landform designations based on man-made canal construction.

Unofficially, it is one of the biggest barrier islands in the world, shielding much of the Massachusetts coastline from North Atlantic storm waves. This protection helps to erode the Cape shoreline at the expense of cliffs, while protecting towns from Fairhaven to Marshfield.

Cape Cod Road vehicles from the mainland cross over the Cape Cod Canal via the Sagamore Bridge and the Bourne Bridge. The two bridges are parallel, with the Bourne Bridge located slightly farther southwest. In addition, the Cape Cod Canal Railroad Bridge carries railway freight as well as tourist passenger services.

Cape Cod indicated in red

Cape Cod and Cape Cod Bay from space.

Stage Harbor lighthouse, Chatham, MA.

Cape Cod National Seashore

Dunes on Sandy Neck, forming part of the Cape s barrier beach , helping to prevent erosion

CranberryCranberry( ) picking in 1906

Hyannis Harbor

Mademoiselle was an influential women's magazine first published in 1935 by Street and Smith and later acquired by Cond Nast Publications. Mademoiselle was known for publishing short stories by noted authors such as Truman Capote, Joyce Carol Oates, William Faulkner, Tennessee Williams, James Baldwin, Flannery O'Connor, Paul Bowles,

Jane Bowles, Jane Smiley, Mary Gordon, Paul Theroux, Sue Miller, Barbara Kingsolver, Perri Klass, Mona Simpson, Alice Munro, Harold Brodkey, Pam Houston, Jean Stafford and Susan Minot. Julia Cameron was a frequent columnist.The art director was Barbara Kruger.

In 1952, Sylvia Plath's short story Sunday at the Mintons won first prize and $500, as well as publication in the magazine. Her experiences during the summer of 1953 as a guest editor at Mademoiselle provided the basis for her novel, The Bell Jar. The November 2001 magazine was the final issue. Some of the 93 employees and features moved over to Glamour, also published by Cond Nast. Spokeswoman Maurie Perl explained the reason was due to the worsening economic climate for magazines after the 9/11 attacks.

the Atlantic is an American magazine founded as The Atlantic Monthly in Boston in 1857. Originally created as a literary and cultural commentary magazine, its current format is of a general editorial magazine. Written with content focusing on "foreign affairs, politics, and the economy [as well as] cultural trends," it is primarily aimed at a target audience of "thought leaders."Americanmagazine

The magazine's founders were a group of writers that included Harriet Beecher Stowe, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., John Greenleaf Whittier and James Russell Lowell (who would become its first editor). The current CEO and group publisher is John Fox Sullivan, while the editor-in-chief as of 2006 is James Bennet.

First publication of "Battle Hymn of the Republic"

The cover of the original issue of The Atlantic, November 1, 1857.

Harvard Law (School) Established:1817 Type: Private EstablishedPrivate Endowment:US$1.7 billion Endowment Dean: Martha Minow Staff:284 DeanMartha Minow Staff Students:1,800 1680 JD {Jurum Doctor } Students 150 LLM {Master of Laws } 50 S.J.D. {Scientiae Juridicae Doctor ( = Doctor of Juridical Science) }S.J.D.

Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts, USCambridgeMassachusetts US Campus:Urban MORE InfoUrbanMORE Info Website: www.law.harvard.edu Websitewww.law.harvard.edu

Langdell Hall Austin Hall

Langdell Hall, home of the Harvard Law School libraryHarvard Law School library

Pound Hall Classroom in Pound Hall

Hauser Hall

Harvard University Harvard University --- An Introduction from a TV program --- An Introduction from a TV program

Thomas Stearns Eliot, OM Order of Merit (26 September 1888 4 January 1965), was a poet, playwright and literary critic. He received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1948. Among his most famous writings are the poems The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, The Waste Land, The Hollow Men, Ash Wednesday and Four Quartets; the plays Murder in the Cathedral and The Cocktail Party; and the essay Tradition and the Individual Talent . OMpoet playwrightliterary criticNobel Prize in LiteratureThe Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock The Waste LandThe Hollow MenAsh WednesdayFour Quartets Murder in the CathedralThe Cocktail Party Tradition and the Individual Talent

Eliot was born in the United States, moved to the United Kingdom in 1914 (at age 25), and became a British subject in 1927 at the age of 39. Of his nationality and its role in his work, Eliot said: "[My poetry] wouldn't be what it is if I'd been born in England, and it wouldn't be what it is if I'd stayed in America. It's a combination of things. But in its sources, in its emotional springs, it comes from America."British subject

T. S. Eliot (1938) by Wyndham Lewis

A plaque at SOAS's Faber Building, 24 Russell Square commemorating T S Eliot's years at Faber and Faber.SOASRussell SquareFaber and Faber

III. Warm-up activities 1.Have you done some part-time jobs? Tell us about your experience(s). 2. What benefits can you gain from doing part-time jobs? 3. When was your last letter written? 4. Go over the whole text, then answer the following questions:the whole text 1) Who were writing to whom? 2) What can we learn from these letters? 3) What are these letters about?

IV. The text There is something fascinating about reading other people's mail if you are allowed to. Here is your chance to read the letters of American writer Sylvia Plath, which she wrote home to her mother from a hotel where she had a summer job as a waitress. Note sth.+adj mail: [mass noun] Chance There is a chance of winning the raffle. There is little chance of his finding a job. Chances /The chances are that we will win easily.

At the time, she was a college student and was still at the start of her writing career. Through the letter we learn of her changing thoughts and moods concerning, boys and writing. Note At the time: at that time at the start learn learning about art She learned from watching others. Children learn through play. We first learned of the problem from her school.

THE BEGINNING OF A CARREER by Sylvia Plath

The Belmont Hotel, cape Cod June 11, 1952 Dear Mother, Your amazing telegram [telegram announcing $500 Mademoiselle *prize for "Sunday at the Mintons," which I forwarded] came just as I was scrubbing tables in the shady interior of The Belmont dining room. Note: *Britain s most prestigious prize for contemporary art. first, top prize , runnerup, second prize consolation prize

I was so excited that I screamed and actually *threw my arms around the head waitress who * no doubt thinks I am rather insane! * throw at e.g., He threw a stone at the window. throw in/into e.g., I just wanted to throw myself into his arms and cry. throw to e.g., She threw the ball to him.

* no doubt (1)used to indicate the speaker s firm belief that something is true even if evidence is not given or available e.g.,Those who left were attracted, no doubt, by higher pay. (2) used to introduce a concession which is subsequently dismissed as unimportant or irrelevant e.g., They no doubt did what they could to help her, but their best proved insufficient.

Anyhow, psychologically, the moment couldn't have been better. I felt tired --- one's first night's sleep in a new place never is peaceful --- and I didn't get much! To top it off, I was the only girl waitress here, and had been scrubbing furniture, washing dishes and *silver, lifting tables, etc. since 8 a.m. Note: silver dishes, containers, or cutlery Thieves stole 5,000 worth of silver. the family silver

Also, I just learned since I am completely *inexperienced, I am not going to be working in the main dining room, but in the "side hall" where the managers and top hotel brass eat. Note: green hand The young man is still green at his job. I caught him red-handed, stealing a wallet.

So, tips will no doubt net much less during the summer and the company be less interesting. So I was beginning to worry about money when your telegram came. God! To think "Sunday at the Mintons" is one of two prize stories to be put in a big national slick! Frankly, I can't believe it!

The first thing I though of was: Mother can keep her intersession money and buy some pretty clothes and a special trip or something! At least I get a winter coat and *extra special suit out of the Mintons. I think the prize is $500! ME! Of all people! NOTE:They offered him an extra thirty-five cents an hour. adj. Installation will cost about 60 extra. 60 adv. The price you pay includes all major charges there are no hidden extras... n.

So it's really looking up around here, now that I don't have to be scared stiff about money Oh, I say, even if my feet kill me after this first week, and I drop 20 trays, I will have the beach, boys to bring me beer, sun, and young gay companions. What a life. Love, your crazy old daughter. Sivvy Note: = frighten off; scare away; frighten; horrify; startle; terrify

Questions to Letter I Q1: What s the telegram about? Q2: What s she doing away from home? Q3: What are her responsibilities?

June 12. 1952 No doubt after I catch up on sleep, and learn to *balance trays high on my left hand, I'll feel much happier. As it is now, I feel stuck in the midst of a lot of loud, brassy Irish Catholics, and the only way I can jolly myself is to say, "Oh, well, it's only for a summer, and I can maybe write about them all." Note: * the cost of obtaining such information needs to be balanced against its benefits. v. to balance work and family life v.

At least I've got a new name for my next protagonist -- Marley, a *gabby girl who * knows her way around but good. Note: * gabby: (informal) excessively or annoyingly talkative ( ) * know one's way around/ about: understand how things happen in the world; be experienced in the way of the world

The ration of boys to girls has gotten less and less, so I'll be lucky if I get tagged by the youngest kid here. Lots of the girls are really wise, drinking *flirts. Note: * It amused him to flirt with her. The lark was flirting around the site. She flirted her fan.

*As for me, being the * conservative, quiet, gracious type, I don't stand much chance of dating some of the cutest ones If I can only get "in" as a pal with these girls, and never for a minute let them know I'm the gentle intellectual type, it'll be O.K. Note: *as for: with regard to / e.g., As for you, you d better be quick. *Police placed the value of the haul at a conservative 500,000. 500,000 The professor s a radical in politics but a conservative dresser. , rightist conservative ideas Conservative Party ( )

As for the Mlle news, I don't think it's really sunk in yet. I felt sure they made a mistake, or that you'd *made it up to cheer me. The big advantage will be that I won't have to worry about earning barely $300 this summer. Note:* The two girls quarreled, but they soon made it up. , I made it up with him, and now we are friends again. *she nodded, barely able to speak. They had barely sat down before forty policemen swarmed in. 40

I would really have been sick otherwise. I can't wait till August when I can go casually down to the *drug store and pick up a slick copy of Mlle, flip to the index, and see ME, one of two college girls in the U.S.! Note: *pharmacy; the chemists

Really, when I think of how I started it over spring vacation, polished it at school, and *sat up till midnight in the Haven House kitchen typing it amidst noise and chatter, I can't get over how the story soared to were it did Note: * She sat up in bed, listening. The mother sat up all night with the sick child. They stayed up all night.

I get great *pleasure out of sharing it [her feeling about the story] with you, who really understand how terribly much it means as a tangible testimony that I have got a germ of writing ability. Note: * my pleasure used as a polite reply to thanks[ ] take pleasure in e.g., They take a perverse pleasure in causing trouble. with pleasure (used to express polite agreement or acceptance) [ ]

The only thing, I probably won't have a chance to win Mlle again, so I'll try for a guest editorship maybe next or my senior year, and *set my sights for the Atlantic. God, I'm glad I can talk about it with you -- probably you're the only outlet that I'll have that won't get tired of my talking about writing Note: *She has her sights set on becoming a writer. He says he wants to win the trophy, but I think he s setting his sights too high.

Speaking again of Henry and Liz, it was a *step for me to a story where the protagonist isn't always ME, and proved that I am beginning to use imagination to transform the actual incident. I was scared that would never happen, but I think it's an indication that my perspective is broadening. Note: in / out of step the party is clearly out of step with voters.

Sometime I think -- *heck, I don't know why I didn't stay home all summer, writing, doing physical science, and having a small part-time job. I could "afford" to now, but it doesn't do much good to yearn about that, I guess. Although it would have been nice. Oh well, I'll * cheer up. I love you. Your own Sivvy Note:* expressing surprise, frustration, or dismay *She cheered up after we had been to see her. , A vase of roses cheered up the room.

Questions to Letter II Q1: How is her work now? Q2: How does the girl evaluate herself in terms of characters?

June 15, 1952 Dear Mother. Do write me letters, Mommy, because I am in a very dangerous of feeling sorry for myself Just *at present, life is awful. Mademoiselle seems quite unreal, and I am exhausted, scared, incompetent, unenergetic and generally low is spirits Working in side hall puts me part, and I feel completely uprooted and clumsy. Note: * at present= now e.g., Membership at present stands at about 5,000. 5,000

The more I see the main hall girls expertly getting special dishes, fixing shaved ice ( / )and *fruit, etc., the more I get an inferiority complex and feel that each day in side hall leaves me further behind Note:* tropical fruits such as mangoes and papaya. [mass noun] to eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables The pupils began to appreciate the fruits of their labours. The trees fruit very early. v.

But as tempted as I am to be a coward and escape by crawling back home, I have *resolved to give it a good month's trial -- till July 10 Don't worry about me, but do send me little pellets of advice now and then. Note:* The firm aims to resolve problems within 30 days. 30 She resolved to ring Dana as soon as she got home. She resolved against going.

Questions to Letter III Q1: How are things getting along with her at present?

June 24, 1952 Last night I went on a "gang" birthday party at the "Sand Bar" where we sang and talked for a few hours. There were about forty of us kids from the hotel. I managed by some magic to get myself *seated next to a fellow in his first year at Harvard Law - - and he was just a dear The best part was when we came back. Note: *Owen seated his guests in the draughty baronial hall. she invited them to be seated.

a large tent that seats 100 to 150 people 100 150 take one's seat: sit down; start to take part in the business of an assembly after being elected

It was a beautiful clear starry night, and Clark went in to get me two of his sweaters to wear because it was cold, and brought out a book of T.S. Eliot's poems. So we sat on a bench where I could just barely read the *print, and he put his head in my lap and I read aloud to him for a wile. Most nice. Note: *The results of a search can be printed out.

she forced herself to concentrate on the tiny print. bold print The news will never get into print. (usu. the prints) a newspaper e.g., The report's contents were widely summarized in the public prints.

The only thing is I am so *inclined to get fond of someone who will do things with me like that -- always inclined to be too metaphysical and serious conversationally -- that's my main trouble So glad to hear the check from Mlle is real. Note: * The news makes me inclined to change my mind. I m inclined to get tired easily. There s time for a swim if you feel so inclined.

I hardly could believe it. Just now I am mentally so disorganized that I can't *retain knowledge or think at all. The work is still new enough to be tiring, what with three changes a day into uniforms, and I am so preoccupied by mechanics of living and people that I can't yet organize and assimilate all the chaos of experience pouring in on me. Note: *Built in 1830, the house retains many of its original features. 1830

The rights of defendants must be retained. to retain these distinctions

In spite of everything, I still have my good old sense of humor and manage to laugh a good deal of the time I'll make the best of whatever comes my way. Much love to you, Sivvy Note:It s no use complaining about the failure of our experiment; what we should do now is to make the best of a bad job and get ready to start anew. , , If you cannot have the best, make the best of what you have. [ ] ,

Questions to Letter IV Q1: What happened to her on a gang birthday party? Q2: Did you ever host or attend an impressive party? What happened to you?

P.S. How to write a letter in English?

Correspondence

Mrs. Jennifer Stone,Mrs. Jennifer Stone 20 Fairview Drive,20 Fairview Drive Eastbourne BN 18 2BU,Eastbourne BN 18 2BU England.England note: 10/1/93 1993 10 1 1993 1 10 1(st) October(,)1993, 1.Oct.93 May Jan., Feb., Apr., Jun., Jul., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec.

2. 3. Dear Professor/Prof. Smith:/, Dear Ms. Santos:/, ( Dear Miss. Santos) Ms. Mrs. Mmes Mr. Messrs. Dear Sir: ( Dear Madam Dear Sir or Madam To whom it may concern: ( ) Dear college: ( )

4. 5. : Y ours truly Y ours sincerely Sincerely yours Y ours cordially Sincerely Affectionately Fondly Y ours with love With best wishes Love Y ours As ever

6. note: Enclosure(s) Encl. P.S. P.S. postscript

Ling Chun Dept. of English Beijing Univ. Beijing, 100081 China Prof. Richard Miller 502 North Olive Avenue West Palm Beach, Florida 33402 U.S.A.

THE END THE END

unit 2 the beginning of a carreer bill ji english department, yzu 季小民...

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