Contemporary College English
Book One
Unit 2
Going Home
1
Unit two
► Culture
Going Home
Pete Hamill
Background
about the author
Florida, New Jersey, New York, Georgia
►
Text appreciation
structure analysis
topic discussion
►
Language understanding
sentence paraphrase
word study
Sing the song
2
Going Home
about the author
Pete Hamill(彼得.哈米尔)was born
in Brooklyn, N. Y. in 1935. He is the
oldest of seven children of Irish
immigrants from Belfast(贝尔法斯特/
英国港市), Northern Ireland and
attended Catholic schools as a child. He left school
at 16 to work in the Brooklyn Navy Yard (海军工
厂)as a worker, and then went on to the United
States Navy. While serving in the Navy, he
completed his high school education. Then, using
the educational benefits of the G.I. Bill of Rights(权
利和自由法案), he attended Mexico City College in
1956-1957, studying painting and writing.
3
Going Home
about the author
For several years, he worked as a graphic designer(.美
术设计员), while studying at Pratt Institute. Then in
1960, he went to work as a reporter for the New York
Post. A long career in journalism followed. He has
been a columnist for the New York Post, the Daily
News, and New York Newsday, and has won many
journalistic awards. As a journalist, he has covered
wars in Vietnam(.越南), Nicaragua(尼加拉瓜),
Lebanon(黎巴嫩) and Northern Ireland. He has also
covered murders, crime, the police, along with the
great domestic disturbances of the 1960s. His work
has also been published in all the major magazines,
including New York, the New York Times Magazine.
4
Going Home
about the author
Since the 1950s, he has had a continuing
interest in Mexico, living there for extended
periods, visiting every year. For six months in
1986, he served as editor of the Mexico City
News. He has one additional distinction: he has
been editor-in-chief of both the New York Post
and the New York Daily News.
5
Going Home
about the author
At the same time, Hamill has pursued a career as
a fiction writer, producing 8 novels and 2
collections of short stories. His 1997 novel, Snow
in August, was on the New York Times bestseller
list for four months, and has been published in
more than a dozen foreign editions. His memoir(回
忆录), A Drinking Life, was on the same New York
Times list for 13 weeks. He has published 2
collections of his journalism, a book about the
relationship of tools to art, and a book about New
York City, along with Why Sinatra Matters, an
extended essay on the music of the late singer
and the social forces that made his work possible.
6
Going Home
about the author
Hamill is married to the Japanese journalist,
Fukiko Aoki. He has two grown daughters, one a
poet, the other a photographer for the Arizona(亚
利桑那) Republic in Phoenix(菲尼克斯/美国城市).
He and his wife divide their time between New
York and Mexico.
7
His works:
8
Florida
the "Sunshine State"
Abbreviation: FL
Florida was named by the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce
de León in 1513. He called the region "La Florida",
roughly translated as Land of the Flowers. He probably
chose this name because he was impressed by the many
colorful flowers. Statehood for Florida came in 1845
(27th state). Florida is one of the leading tourist states in
the United States. Great stretches of sandy beaches and a
warm, sunny climate make Florida a year-round
vacationland. People enjoy swimming, fishing and water
skiing in the inland and coastal waters. Major attractions
include Disney World, Miami(迈阿密)Beach, the
Everglades(大沼泽地)National Park. Tourists may also
visit historic sites that date back to the Spanish explorers.
9
New Jersey
the "Garden State"
Abbreviation: NJ
One of the original 13 states, New Jersey was named
after the island of Jersey in the English Channel. New
Jersey is a state of industrial cities and towns, but also
of glistening beaches and popular summer resorts. It is
one of the great coastal playgrounds of the United
States. Atlantic(大西洋)City is one of the most wellknown resorts. New Jersey is located between New
York City and Philadelphia(费城) making it a
convenient location for tourists to the area.
10
New York
the "Empire State"
Abbreviation: NY
The Dutch were the first settlers in New York. After the
English took over in the 1660s, the colony was renamed
New York. It is one of the original 13 states to join the
Union (it entered in 1788). The state includes everything
from skyscrapers in Manhattan(曼哈顿)to rivers,
mountains, and lakes in upstate New York. Niagara
Falls(尼亚加拉瀑布)is one of the chief attractions. New
York is the leading center of banking, finance and
communication in the United States. Much of the state‘s
greatness lies in exciting New York City, the largest city
in the United States and the fourth largest city in the
world; its many theaters, museums, and musical
organizations make it one of the cultural centers of the
Western Hemisphere(西半球).
11
Georgia
the "Peach State"
"Empire State of the South"
Abbreviation: GA
Georgia, founded in 1732, is one of the original 13 states. It
was named in honor of England‘s King George II. Georgia
is the largest state east of the Mississippi; the state’s large
size and thriving industries have given it one of its
nicknames, the Empire State of the South. During the Civil
War, the fall of Atlanta(亚特兰大)was a crucial turning
point in the defeat of the South. Today, Atlanta, which
became Georgia's capital in 1868, is a thriving city with
major national corporations, and it is considered the
economic and cultural center of the Southeast. The natural
beauty and famous seaside resorts of Georgia are a major
attraction for tourists. Many beautiful monuments and parks,
including reminders of important Civil War battles and
heroes, dot the Georgia countryside.
12
Text Appreciation
► Structure
of the text
The introduction of the setting
Part 1 (para. 1- 4 ) :
and the characters.
Part 2 (para.
Where Vingo was going and
5-9 ):
what for, and how the young
people got interested in what
was going to happen.
Part 3 (para. 10-12 ): Vingo was forgiven and
welcomed home.
13
Text Appreciation
for group discussion in class
► Plot
of the story:
three stages
► Setting of the story:
spring; a bus from New York to Florida
► Theme of the story:
forgiveness and a new start
14
Yellow ribbon
as a symbol
15
Language Understanding
——
sentence paraphrase
1. They were dreaming of golden beaches and tides
of the sea as the grey, cold spring of New York
vanished behind them.
It was a grey, cold day in spring. As the bus left
New York City, these young people were thinking
about what they would enjoy in Florida-- the
golden beaches and tides of the sea.
16
Language Understanding
——
sentence paraphrase
2. He sat in front of the young people, his dusty face
masking his age, dressed in a plain brown suit that
did not fit him.
He sat in front of the young people. You could
hardly tell how old he was because his face was
covered with dust.
17
Language Understanding
——
sentence paraphrase
3. His fingers were stained from cigarettes
and he chewed the inside of his lip a lot.
His fingers were yellow because he had
smoked a lot, he bit the inside part of his
lip which showed his nerversness..
4. He sat in complete silence and seemed
completely unaware of the existence of the
others.
He sat there completely speechless as if he
did not know there were other people
around.
18
5. I understand if you can’t stay married to
me.
If you want to divorce me, I’ll understand--you have every reason to do so.
Vingo used a euphemism to avoid the more
embarrassing and unpleasant term “divorce
me”.
cf: He died.
He passed away.
19
Language Understanding
—— sentence paraphrase
6. Get a new guy---She’s a wonderful
woman, really something---and forget
about me:
She is a wonderful woman, a really good,
remarkable woman. (parenthesis)
► Something: a thing or a person of some
value or importance
-He considers himself to be something, but
actually he is nothing.
-He thinks he is something, since he was
elected chairman of the committee.
20
Language Understanding
——
sentence paraphrase
7. When I was sure the parole was
coming through:
When I was certain that the conditional
release from prison was to be approved by
the authorities
21
Language Understanding
——
sentence paraphrase
8. She told the others, and soon all of them
were caught up in the approach of
Brunswick:
She told other boys and girls, and soon all the
young people became excited and deeply
interested in Vingo’s experience and in what was
going to happen at Brunswick.
22
Language Understanding
——
sentence paraphrase
9. Now they were 20 miles from Brunswick, and the
young people took the windows seats on the right
side, waiting for the approach of the great oak
tree:
Now they were only 20 miles away from the town,
and the young people all sat by the window,
waiting for the coming of the big oak tree.
23
Language Understanding
—— sentence paraphrase
10. Vingo stopped looking, tightening his face,
as if fortifying himself against still another
disappointment:
Vingo moved his eyes away from the window, and
his face again became expressionless as if he was
trying to find the courage to face another possible
blow, another disappointment in his life.
the ex-con’s mask: the expression of a former
prisoner trying to hide his true feelings
to fortify oneself (against sb./sth.): to make
oneself feel stronger or braver
24
Language Understanding
——
sentence paraphrase
11. Then suddenly all of the young people
were up out of their seats, screaming and
shouting and crying, doing small dances,
shaking clenched fists in triumph and
exaltation. All except Vingo.
Then all of a sudden, all the young people left
their seats and began doing all sorts of things
they could think of to express their happiness and
excitement. Vingo alone remained still.
25
12. Vingo sat there stunned, looking at the
oak tree through his mistry eyes.
Vingo sat still; he was utterly surprised, looking
at the oak tree through tearful eyes.
26
Language Understanding
——
word study
Pull into: (of a vehicle) arrive at (a station); move
in towards
► 火车准时进站了。
► The train pulled into the station on time.
► 汽车在火车站外的停车场上停了下来。
► The car pulled up on the parking lot outside the
station.
27
Language Understanding
——
word study
► to
engage sb. in sth.: to make sb. take part in
sth.,
► eg.
► She tried to engage her roommate in a
philosophical discussion.
engagement
28
Language Understanding
——
► Wonder
word study
about: feel curious about; be doubtful
about
-John says he didn’t do it, but I am still wondering
about that.
► rooted: fixed
-The boy stood rooted to the spot.
-a rooted belief
不可动摇的信念
29
Language Understanding
——
word study
► retreat
into/to: yield; move back to
-The soldiers were ordered to retreat to safer
positions.
-At last we forced the enemy to retreat into the
mountains from the town.
30
Language Understanding
——
word study
► come
through
i. arrive as expected
你的考试结果收到了没有？
Have your examination results come through
yet?
ii. Survive
约翰病得很厉害，依然活着算是很幸运的了。
John was so ill he was lucky to come through.
31
Language Understanding
——
word study
be caught up in: be completely absorbed in
► -I
was caught up in conversation with a friend
when someone knocked at the door.
► -He was caught up in the story he was
reading that he forgot it was time for supper.
32
Language Understanding
——
word study
fortify against: strengthen (sth. or oneself) so
as to be able to deal with (sth. such as an attack)
► -Have some hot ginger soup to fortify yourself
against cold.
33
Language Understanding
——
word study
► make
one’s way to/through/across/along:
go forward with difficulty
-They made their way through the crowd.
-I made my way to the center of the town.
34
Language Understanding
—— word study
The preposition “in” is often used to show a
state or condition.
sleep
► Vingo nodded in ... silence
► He sat in complete …
triumph and exaltation
► … shaking clenched fists in …
curiosity
► but then some boys began
a daze to glance at me in …
► Good God! I was in …
Compare:
► He
into
thanked her and retreated … his silence.
into
► Vingo stopped looking, tightening his face … the
ex-con’s mask.
35
Language Understanding
——
word study
ex = fully (exchange, exalt)
exalted company.
He felt very humble in such ______
exchangedpresents before the game.
The two teams _______
ex = former (ex-con, ex-wife, ex-president)
ex = out of (exceed, except, expose, exit)
Your advice would be exceedingly valuable to him,
who is at present at his wit’s end.
Too much exposure to X-rays can cause skin
burns, cancer or other damage to the body.
36
Language Understanding
——
word study
a./n. + -en  v.
(dark, fast, height, length, sharp, strength,
threat, weak, worse, tight, broad, wide…)
tighten her belt.
1. She’s lost her job so she had to …
sharpened
2. He …
his pencil with a knife.
3. Their opposition only …strengthened her resolve.
Fasten your seat belts.
4. …
threatened to blow up the plane if
5. The terrorists …
their demands were not met.
37
Text Appreciation
for group discussion after class
1. What do you think Vingo had done that got him in
prison?
He had committed a minor crime.
2. How do you think Mingo behaved in prison?
What do you think he wanted to do after his release?
He must have behaved well in prison. He wanted to
begin a new life.
3. What kind of person do you think his wife was? Why
didn’t she write to Vingo?
She must have been a loving wife and mother. She didn’t
write to him because she wanted to give her husband a
pleasant surprise.
38
Text Appreciation
for group discussion after class
4. Do you agree the yellow ribbon is a symbol?
What does it symbolize? What did it mean to Vingo?
It symbolizes “welcome home”. For Vingo it meant
forgiveness and a new start.
5. What lesson do you think the young people can learn
from Vingo’s story?
Life is not always rosy.
6. Do you think the ability to forgive and forget is
important in human relationships?
39
Analyze the Main Characters in the
Story
► ①the
young people:
► ②Vingo:
► ③Vingo’s
active, talkative,
happy, considerate
sad, worried, nervous, silent
wife:
wonderful, strong-willed,
kind-hearted, capable
40
Analyze the Writing Skills
1.
detailed and vivid description of the
appearance of Vingo
2. keeping the reader in suspense until the
very end
3. happy ending
41
Analyze the Writing Skills
► the
young people, quite a lot of present
participles, to indicate liveliness and
joyfulness.
-dreaming of golden beaches and sea tides
-waiting for the approach of the great oak tree
-screaming and shouting and crying, doing … ...
► Vingo,
past participles, to indicate his
sadness, nervousness, and his control of feelings.
-dressed in a plain, ill-fitting suit
-frozen into complete silence
-He sat rooted in his seat
-Vingo sat there stunned, looking at the oak tree
42
Pete Hamill
The man who does not read good
books has no advantage over the
man who can't read them.
43
Sing the song
I'm coming home. I've done my time
Now I got to know what is and isn't mine
If you received my letter telling you I'd soon be free
Then you'll know just what to do
If you still want me, If you still want me
Oh! tie a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree
It's been three long years, do you still want me
If I don't see your ribbon round the oak tree
I'll stay on the bus, forget about us
Put the blame on me
If I don't see your yellow ribbon round the oak tree
44
Bus driver please look for me
“cause I couldn't bear to see what I might see
I'm really still in prison, and my love she holds the key
A simple yellow ribbon's what I need to set me free
I wrote and told her please
Oh! tie a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree
It's been three long years, do you still want me
If I don't see your ribbon round the oak tree
I'll stay on the bus, forget about us
Put the blame on me
If I don't see your yellow ribbon round the oak tree
45
Now the whole damn bus is cheering
And I can’t believe I see
A hundred yellow ribbons round the old oak tree
I’m coming home
Tie a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree
Tie a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree
Tie a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree
Tie a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree
46
47