Background of the essay() The author's personal tragedya. bankruptcy caused by unwiseinvestmentb. death of his favorite daughterc. death of his beloved wife (who hadbeen his first reader and chief censorfor the 34 years of their married lifeWith her death, writing for him wasessentially over. He became more andmore biter and savagely satirical.)(2) social background血汗工厂cut-throat competition, sweat shopsrobber barons, and labor riots,corruption and unethical businesspractices, spread of the iungle law and强盗式贵族/资本家丛林法则/弱肉强食racial conflicts and imperialistwars
(1) The author’s personal tragedy a. bankruptcy caused by unwise investment b. death of his favorite daughter c. death of his beloved wife (who had been his first reader and chief censor for the 34 years of their married life. With her death, writing for him was essentially over. He became more and more biter and savagely satirical.) (2) social background cut-throat competition, sweat shops, robber barons, and labor riots, corruption and unethical business practices, spread of the jungle law and racial conflicts and imperialist wars Background Background of the essay 血汗工厂 强盗式贵族/资本家 丛林法则/弱肉强食
Background of the essayTo Mark Twain, who had alwaysbeen concerned withthe problemof human conscience, thesethings revealed the terribledeficiencies of the human race.To remedy this deplorablesituation, he began to use his penas a sharp lance to pierce theboils of human pomposity(Ipam'pasotil: vanity, snobbery.pretense).Questions:1. Do you think that he has lost hope for the human race and hasbecome completely cynical?2. What's his purpose of writing this article?
To Mark Twain, who had always been concerned with the problem of human conscience, these things revealed the terrible deficiencies of the human race. To remedy this deplorable situation, he began to use his pen as a sharp lance to pierce the boils of human pomposity ([pɑmˈpɑsətɪ]: vanity, snobbery, pretense). Background of the essay Questions: 1. Do you think that he has lost hope for the human race and has become completely cynical? 2. What's his purpose of writing this article?
Purpose of the essayMARKTWAINIt is wrong to think that he has losthope for the human race and has becomeLetters fromtheEarthcompletely cynical, for behind all thebitterness is a warm and humane heartEdited byBERNARDDeVOTOMark Twain does not really believe thatHere is nnexpected treasure-human beings are incurably cruel, greedyfresh new micerial from theMark Fwain paperand wicked. Otherwise he would not haveonlyrecentlyreleased forpublicationbothered to write those essays. He writesabout ugly human traits and dispositionsprecisely because he thinks human beingsare capable of mending their ways if theycan open their eyes to their ownweaknesses and understand the conditionsthat give rise to them and nurture them. Inother words, his policy is to frighten inordertoenlighten
It is wrong to think that he has lost hope for the human race and has become completely cynical, for behind all the bitterness is a warm and humane heart. Mark Twain does not really believe that human beings are incurably cruel, greedy and wicked. Otherwise he would not have bothered to write those essays. He writes about ugly human traits and dispositions precisely because he thinks human beings are capable of mending their ways if they can open their eyes to their own weaknesses and understand the conditions that give rise to them and nurture them. In other words, his policy is to frighten in order to enlighten. Purpose of the essay
Structure of the textThe thesis statement & the researchPart 1 (para. 1-2)methodPara 3-9:Introduction to the scientificexperiment and the analysis related to variousPart 2 (para.3-17)traits and dispositions of human beings ascontrasted to the “higher animalsPara 10-17: Arguing with people whobelieve in man' s superiorityRestatement of the thesis: Man hasPart 4 (para.18)descended and degenerated
Structure of the text The thesis statement & the research method Para 3-9:Introduction to the scientific experiment and the analysis related to various traits and dispositions of human beings as contrasted to the “higher animals”. Para 10-17: Arguing with people who believe in man’s superiority. Part 1 (para. 1-2) Part 2 (para. 3-17) Part 4 (para. 18) Restatement of the thesis: Man has descended and degenerated
Structure of the textpara 3Man's crueltypara 4Man's greedpara 5: take revengepara 5-8para: 6: keep haremimmoralitypara 7:loosenesspara 8: indecency, vulgarity, obscenityMan's crueltypara 9Man's inclination for warpara 1-11para 12Man's enslaving and being enslavedpara13:theonlypatriothypocrisypara 14: religious animalpara 13-15para 15: reasoning animalMan's inabilityto live together peacefullypara 16-17
Structure of the text para 3 Man's cruelty para 4 para 5-8 para 9 para 1-11 para 12 para 13-15 para 16-17 Man's greed para 5: take revenge para: 6: keep harem para 7:looseness para 8: indecency, vulgarity, obscenity Man's cruelty Man's inclination for war Man's enslaving and being enslaved para 13: the only patriot para 14: religious animal para 15: reasoning animal Man's inability to live together peacefully immorality hypocrisy