Unit 4 A Drink in the Passage

Teaching procedures:

Ⅰ Warm-up questions Ⅱ Background Ⅲ Word study Ⅳ General understanding of the text Ⅴ Detailed study of the text Ⅵ Questions for discussion Ⅶ Language focus Ⅷ Exercises

ⅠWarming-up questions

1. Can you say something about the picture?

2. How do you understand racial segregation?

3. What do you know about South Africa?

Ⅱ Background information Author Alan Paton (1903-1988) Alan Paton

was born in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. He started his career by teaching  at a school in Ixopo. The dramatic career change to director of a reformatory for black youths at Diepkloof, near Johannesburg, had a profound effect on his thinking. The publication of Cry, the Beloved Country (1948) made him one of South Africa’s best known writers, and by the time he died, it had sold over 15 million copies. Following his non-racial ideals, he helped to found the South African Liberal Party and became its president.

Ⅱ Background informationApartheid South Africa was colonized by the English and Dutch in

the 17th century. English domination of the Dutch descendents (known as Boers or Afrikaners) resulted in the Dutch establishing the new colonies of Orange Free State and Transvaal. The discovery of diamonds in these lands around 1900 resulted in an English invasion which sparked the Boer War. Following independence from England, an uneasy power-sharing between the two groups held sway until the 1940’s, when the Afrikaner National Party was able to gain a strong majority.

Strategists in the National Party invented apartheid as a means to cement their control over the economic and social system. Initially, aim of the apartheid was to maintain white domination while extending racial separation. Starting in the 1960s, a plan of “Grand Apartheid” was executed, emphasizing territorial separation and police repression.

With the enactment of apartheid laws in 1948, racial discrimination was institutionalized. Race laws touched every aspect of social life, including a prohibition of marriage between non-whites and whites, and the sanctioning of “white-only” jobs. In 1950, the Population Registration Act required that all South Africans be racially classified into one of three categories: white, black (African), or colored (of mixed decent). The coloured category included major subgroups of Indians and Asians. Classification into these categories was based on appearance, social acceptance, and descent. Non-compliance with the race laws were dealt with harshly. All blacks were required to carry “pass books” containing fingerprints, photo and information on access to non-black areas. In 1953, the Public Safety Act and the Criminal Law Amendment Act were passed, which empowered the government to declare stringent states of emergency and increased penalties for protesting against or supporting the repeal of a law. The penalties included fines, imprisonment and whippings. In 1960, a large group of blacks in Sharpeville refused to carry their passes; the government declared a state of emergency. The emergency lasted for 156 days, leaving 69 people dead and 187 people wounded. Wielding the Public Safety Act and the Criminal Law Amendment Act, the white regime had no intention of changing the unjust laws of apartheid.

The penalties imposed on political protest, even non-violent protest, were severe. During the states of emergency which continued intermittently until 1989, anyone could be detained without a hearing by a low-level police official for up to six months. Thousands of individuals died in custody, frequently after gruesome acts of torture. Those who were tried were sentenced to death, banished, or imprisoned for life, like Nelson Mandela. The apartheid policy was highly effective of achieving its goal of preferential treatment for whites.

ⅢWord Study

1. abreast 2. avert 3. ceremony 4. complimentary 5. envy 6. exhibit 7. expel 8. flat

9. herald 10. lift 11. omit 12. polish 13. quarter 14.renounce 15.segregate 16. suspend

1. abreast adv. ~ (of sb/sth) side by side (with sb )and facing the sa

me way. E.g. The police car went abreast of them and signalled the

m to stop. (idm) be/keep abreast of sth: be or remain up to date or

well-informed about sth E.g. You should read newspapers to keep abreast of curre

nt affairs.

adown adv. , prep. 朝下 afresh adv. 重新；再 anew adv. 再；重新；另 aback adv. 向后 abed adv. 在床上 ablaze adv. 着火 adj. 发光的 aboard adv. 在船上；在飞机上； 在汽车上 abroad adv. 在国外； afar adv. 遥远地 afloat adv. 漂浮地 afoot adv. 徒步地 ahead adv. 在前地 away adv. 在远方；离去；不在

2. avert

vt. ~ sth (from sth) [ 自… ] 转移 < 目光、思想等 > , 转离 , 移开

e.g. She averted her eyes from the terrible sight. 她把目光转离那骇人的情景 [ 景象 ] 。

vt. prevent(sth), avoid 避开 , 防止 , 避免 < 打击、危险等

e.g. He narrowly averted an accident. 他勉强避免了一场事故 ( 他险些儿在事故中遭殃 ) 。

3. ceremony

n.[C] formal act or series of formal acts performed on a religious or public occasion 典礼；仪式

the ceremony of conferring graduation certificates The school leaving ceremony is at 3:00. n.[U] formal display or behaviour, formality Help yourself without ceremony. Don‘t stand on ceremony. ceremonial: of, used for or involving a ceremony ceremonious: (a)full of ceremony, very formal; (b) elaborately performed 郑重其事的；礼节过分的

4. complimentary adj. showing that you think well of something or someone complimentary rem

arks 赞美的话语 adj. free 免费赠送的 complimentary tickets for the match 比赛赠券 compare: complimentary; complementary plen, plete,ple, pli,ply=to fill , full plenary adj. 完全的；绝对的；全体出席的 plenitude 充足；富饶《 -itude 抽象名词字尾》 plenty; plenteous; plentiful; ample 富足的；充分的（充满于四周的）《 a

m-=amb-=about 》 amplify 放大；详述《 --fy=to make 》 complete 【 com （ together, with ） +plete （ fill ）】 comply 应允；同意（满足对方的要求） complement n. 补语；补充物 v. 补充；补足（补满；填满） complimentary 【 com （ with ） +pli （ fill ） +ment （ n. ） +ary 】 deplete 《 de-=away 》 ;implement; replenish （ v. ） ; replete （ adj ） ;sup

plement; accomplish

5. envy n.[U] feeling of sadness and anger because you want what another pers

on has 妒忌，羡慕 “You are so lucky to have a brother,”said the boy with envy. Her envy had transferred into hate. n.[C] a person or thing that causes envy A good dictionary is the envy of all students. vt. feel envy of, wish for 妒忌，羡慕 · I envy you your good health. 我羡慕你的健康。 I envy you your good fortune. 我羡慕你的好运气。 do sth. out of (=through) envy 出于妒忌而做某事 feel envy at 对…感到妒忌（或羡慕） feel no envy at (=of) his achievements have a great envy of one's wealt

h 十分羡慕某人的财富

6. exhibit v. show or display (sth) for the public (for pleasure, for sale, or in a competi

tion) 当中显示或展出某物 Mr Hall exhibits in several galleries. The gallery is exhibiting French paintings. Many unearthed cultural relics were exhibited in the museum. be exhibited at World Fair exhibit before the public 向公众展出 n. object or collection of objects displayed for the public 展览品 A priceless exhibit 一件极其贵重的陈列品 Please don’t touch the exhibits. 请勿触摸展品。 n. document, object, etc. produced as evidence in a lawcourt exhibition n.1. 展览品，展览会； 2. 表现，显示 an exhibition of bad manners 无礼的表现 an exhitition of one’s knowledge 显示某人的知识 （ idm) make an exhibition of oneself 当众出丑，出洋相 an automobile exhibition 汽车展览会 an exhibition match 表演赛 an exhibition of bravery 表现出勇敢

hab, hibit=to have exhibit 表现，展示（拿出去）《 ex-=out 》 exhibition inhibit v. 抑制；禁止；防止（拿在手中→抑制）《 i

n-=in 》 prohibit v. 禁止；阻止（在前面压制）《 pro-=befor

e 》 habit; habitual; habitude; cohabit; inhabit

7. expel vt. make someone go away from a place( esp. a country, a school,

a club) 驱逐，开除，赶出 He was expelled from school for bad behaviour. vt. force out (from the body or a container) 排除掉 The whale expelled water from his blow hole. expel 【 ex （ out ） +pel （ to drive ）】 Note: compel 《 com-=with 》 ; dispel 《 dis-=apart, away 》 ; i

mpel 《 im- =in-=forward 》 propel 《 pro-=forward 》 ; repel 《 re-=back 》 expel an invader. 把侵略者赶出去 expelled the student from college for cheating.

8. flat(Bre)=apartment(Ame)

British lift ground floor flat trousers term film cheque pavement underground

AmE an elevator the first floor apartment pants semester movie check sidewalk subway

adj. smooth, not going up and down 平的，平坦的 Holland is flat, there are no mountains. 荷兰地势平坦，没有山。 The floor is quite flat. （室内的）地面很平。 People used to think that the earth was flat. 人们过去常认为地球是扁平的。 adj. stretched out in a plane surface 平伸的 The snake twisted, humped up, then became flat. adj. tasteless,lacking interest, animation, dull · etc; The soup is flat. 这汤没味。 The party was rather flat. 这次聚会相当乏味。 adj. plain,frank, absolute 直率的，断然的 It is difficult to give flat answers to these questions. adj. having lost air 漏完气的 I’ve got a flat tyre. 我的车胎没气了。 That’s a flat lie. 那是弥天大谎。 adv. 平直地，平躺（或趴）着 · He was lying flat on his back. 他直挺挺地仰卧着。 He fell flat. 他直挺挺地倒下。 adv positively . 断然地 · I told him flat. 我断然地告诉他。 n. 平面，平的部分 a flat surface,the flat part of a thing

9. herald

n. person who made important announcements and carried messages from a ruler 发布人 , 报导者 ; 使者

n. person or thing that announces or shows that sb/sth. is coming 先驱 , 预兆

This balmy weather is a [the] herald of spring .(( 文语 ))is ~ to spring] 这种温和的天气是春天的预兆。

vt. announce the approach of sth 预先通知 [ 预告 ] …<in> The song of birds heralds (in) spring. 鸟儿的歌唱预报春到

[ 预告春天的来临 ] 。

10.lift v. to move something to a highter place, to raise 提起；举起；抬起 The baby was lifted onto the bed. 孩子被抱到床上。 The window doesn‘t lift. 窗户打不开。 The airplane lifted from the airport. 飞机从机场起飞。 v. go up and away 消散 Dense fog began to lift. 浓雾开始消散了。 The cloud has lifted and we can see the mountains. 云散了，我们可以看见高山了。

v. raise to a higher degree or condition 提高，提增 First we have to lift the level of instruction. 首先我们得提高教学水平。 John‘s high grade in the test lifted his spirits. 约翰考试得了高分，这提起了他的精神

Lift up your voice. 提高你的嗓子。

n. journey in another person's car; a free ride 搭便车 Can you give me a lift to the station? 能让我搭个便车去火车站吗？

He gave us a lift to town in his car. 他让我们搭他的便车到城里去。

n. an elevator; an apparatus for raising or lowing persons or things from one floor or level to another 电梯

Shall we go up the stairs or take the lift? 我们是走上楼呢，还是坐电梯？ ·

n. help 帮助 He gave me many a lift. 他曾几次给我帮助。 · I gave him a lift with his lessons. 我帮助他做功课。

11. omit vt. leave something out 省略；遗漏 Don‘t omit this paragraph when you write your report. 写报告时不

要删去这一节。 We omitted the second stanza. 我们略去了这首诗的第二段。 vt. fail to do, neglect 疏忽；忘记 I omitted doing my homework. 我忘记做作业了。 Don't omit to tell him. 不要忘了告诉他。 omit the second chapter from the book 略去这本书的第二章 omit a letter in a word 在一个词中漏掉一字母 be apparently omitted from... 明显地被从…省去 n. omission e.g. His omission from the team is rather surprising. 队里没有他，令人惊奇。

12. polish vt. ~ (sth)(up)(with sth) 磨光 < 东西 >, 使…光亮 polish(up) one's shoes [glasses] 擦亮鞋子 [眼镜 ] polish(up) furniture 擦亮家具 vt. Improving sth by correcting, making some changes or adding n

ew material 润饰 , 推敲 ; 磨练 polish a speech 润饰发言稿 (phr.) polish sth off: finish sth quickly迅速做完某事 vi. 发出光泽 , 变光滑 · This floor won’t polish. 这地板擦不亮。 n.[U] 磨擦 · give...a polish 磨擦 <东西 > n.[U] 光泽 , 亮光 put a polish on... ( 打磨 ) 使…产生光泽 take a high polish 可磨得很光亮 n.[U] 擦亮粉 , 光泽剂 , 洋漆 (varnish) :shoe ~ 鞋油 n.[U] ( 态度、作法等的 ) 洗练 ; 修养 ; 高雅 , 优美

13. quarter n. one of four equal parts of something 四分之一；四等分 · We‘ve come a quarter of the distance now. 我们已经走了全程的四分之一了。

· What's the quarter of sixteen? 十六的四分之一是多少？ · n. 15 minutes 一刻钟 · Yesterday, I had breakfast at a quarter past seven. 昨天我七点一刻吃早饭。 ·

n. one fourth of the year 季（一年的四分之一） He pays at the end of each quarter,that is at the end of March, June,Sept

ember and December. 他在每一季度末付款，就是三月底、六月底、九月底和十二月底。

n. special part of a town 地区；居民区 In what quarter of the town is the school situated? 这个学校在这个城市的哪个区域？

n. quarters (pl.): place where you live or sleep 住处；营房 The captain sent the soldiers back to their quarters. 上尉让他的士兵回营房去。

n. one of the four points of the compass, a direction 罗盘针四方位基点之一；方向

From which quarter is the wind blowing? 风从那个方向吹来？ They arrived from every quarter (all quarters)... from all directions.

他们来自四面八方。 vt. divide into four parts or quarters 四等分 · Quarter a cake,please. 请将蛋糕分成四等分。 vt. provide quarters or lodgings for soldiers 使士兵驻扎；使住宿 Quarter troops on the village. 使军队驻于村庄。

14.renounce vt. agree to give up ownership or possession of (sth), esp forma

lly( 正式 ) 放弃 , 弃权 ; 宣誓抛弃 [ 断绝 ( 关系 ) ] ; 戒绝 , 舍弃 , 弃绝 < 习惯等 >

Japan has renounced war. 日本已放弃了战争。 He renounced his rights to the inheritance. 他放弃了财产继承权。

~ sb/sth (for sth): reject or stop following renounce terrorism/drugs唾弃恐怖主义 /毒品 renounce a treaty/ an agreement废弃条约、协定 renounce one’s earlier ideals背弃原先的理想 vt. refuse to associate with 断绝与…的关系 renounce friendship 绝交 He was renounced by his father. 他父亲与他断绝了关系。 n. renouncement

15.segregate

~ sb/ sth (from sb/sth) 1. put sb/sth in a place away from the rest; isolate将（某人 / 事物）隔离，分开

e.g. segregate cholera patients 把霍乱病人隔离开 2. separate (esp a racial or religious group) from the r

est of the community and treat them unfairly将（尤指某种族或宗教团体 )与社区其他人隔开并作不公平对待

e.g. Why should the handicapped be segregated from the able-bodied? 为什么要把伤残人和身体健康的人分开？

16. suspend V. 1. ~ sth (from sth) (fml) hang sth up lamp suspended from the ceiling above us A balloon suspended above the crowd悬浮在人群上方的气球 2. （ a)prevent （ sth ） from being in effect for a time;stop

（ sth ） temporarily暂不实行，使暂停 suspend a rule 暂不实行一项规定 (b) postpone; delay推迟，延缓 suspend judgement暂不决断 3. ~ sb from sth勒令某人暂时停职 The policeman was suspended while the complaint was being inv

estigated. She was suspended from school for stealing. 她因有偷窃行为遭勒令停学处分。

Ⅳ. General understanding of the text

Plot of the story a well-educated black finds himself cordially invited to split a bo

ttle with a white man in the passage of the latter’s apartment building.

Setting of the story social setting Apartheid South Africa in 1960 story setting in the passageProtagonists “I”—the black sculptor van Rensburg—a young white man

Ⅳ. General understanding of the text

Theme of the story The story tells us how racial prejudice can prevent us reac

hing, touching and connecting with each other. This invisible wall exists between the white and the black and hampers their free communication and full understanding. It is not just a wall imposed by apartheid laws, but a wall deeply rooted in their hearts.

Ⅳ. General understanding of the text

Structure The text can be divided into twp parts: Part I (paras.1-6): Against what background and from whom the story

comes. It serves as an introduction or prologue to the story from the perspect

ive of the author. It tells us the time(1960s), place (Apartheid South Africa), main character ( Adward Simelane), event (Adward Simelane won the prize, but somehow refuse to get the prize personally, and what he feels about the drink).

Part II(Paras.7-76): How the story goes. It is narrated from the perspective of Adward Simelane in the first pe

rson about his experience and feeling of being invited to a white man’s house and drinking in the latter’s passage. Both Adward Simelane and van Rensburg realized there was something invisible that hampers their communication.

ⅤDetailed study of the Text1. Questions for Comprehension (1)What did the author mean when he said that the sculpture t

ouched the conscience of white South Africa? (2)How come that such an important honor was given to a bl

ack sculptor in a country of notorious racial prejudice? (3)What would happened if Simelane had attended the cerem

ony personally to accept the prize? (4)When Simelane said, “I wasn’t feeling up to it.”, did it me

an that Simelane was physically unable to attend the ceremony?

(5)How do you understand Simelane’s talk about the cognac he was drinking with the author?

1) In the year 1960 the Union of South Africa celebrated its Golden Jubilee, and there was a nationwide sensation when the one-thousand-pound prize for the finest piece of sculpture was won by a black man, Edward Simelane.

In the year 1960, the Union of South Africa celebrated its fiftieth anniversary, and there was a great excitement throughout the country when people heard that the prize for the finest piece of sculpture was won by a black man.

Golden Jubilee: Jubilee is the celebration of a special anniversary: silver jubilee ( 25th anniversary ); golden jubilee ( 50th anniversary ) and diamond jubilee ( 60th or 75th anniversary).

nationwide: throughout the nation Note that “-wide”is an adjective or adverb suffix meaning throughout, e.g. worldwide; communitywide; schoolwide Synonyms: wide; ample; broad ;expansive; extensive; roomy; spacious; a sensation: intense public interest and excitement: e.g. His speech produced a great sensation in the audience.

ⅤDetailed study of the Text

compare: sensational; sensitive; sensory; sensual; sentimental; sensuous

骇人听闻的罪行 a sensational crime 巨大的胜利 a sensational victory 肉体上的快乐 sensual pleasures 一幅引起美感的绘画 a sensuous painting 感觉神经系 (统 )sensory nervous system 多愁善感的姑娘 a sentimental girl

2)His work, African Mother and Child, not only excited the admiration, but touched conscience or heart or whatever it was that responded, of White South Africa.

His sculpture, African Mother and Child, not only won the admiration of the white people for its artistic merit, but also touched and moved their hearts and conscience because the work made them see the injustice of racial discrimination and black people’s yearning for a better life for their children.

excite 【 ex ( out ) + cite ( to call, to urge) 】 :To call forth (a reaction or emotion, for example); elicit

e.g. odd noises that excited our curiosity. Note: excite; incite （ in-=in ） ; recite （ re-=again ） ; recital; c

ite; citation, etc excite the admiration引起赞慕 touch conscience 触动良心

3)It was by an oversight that his work was accepted…

It was by careless mistake that his work was accepted, because as a black person, he was not supposed to participate the competition.

oversight: An unintentional omission or mistake. e.g. 1.The oversight is not imputable to the person on the night sh

ift. 这个疏忽不能怪值夜班的人。 2.Even an oversight in the design might issue in heavy losses.设计中那怕是一点点疏忽也可能造成重大的损失。

3."By an oversight, I forgot to post your letter." 我偶尔疏忽忘了把你的信寄出去。

Compare: error; negligence; omission; slip; oversight; mistake

error mistake oversight These nouns refer to what is not in accord with truth, accuracy, or propriety.

error indicates departure from the correct path; it often implies deviation from what is morally or ethically right or proper: mistake often implies misunderstanding or misinterpretation and is usu

ally weaker than error in imputing blame or censure: oversight refers to an inadvertent omission or error that results from in

attention. e.g.Through a regrettable oversight I failed to send you an invitation. negligence an accident out of negligence责任事故 e.g. negligence of dress 不修边幅 Negligence was the cause of the child's illness.

4) for it was the policy of the government that all the celebrations and competitions should be strictly segregated. segregate v.tr.1To separate or isolate from others or from a main body

or group. 2To impose the separation of (a race or class) from the rest of society. e.g. segregate boys and [from] girls segregate people with infectious diseases The doctor segregated the child sick with scarlet fever. gregat=to collect gregarious adj. 群居的；合群的 aggregate v. 合计；集合（ ag-=ad-=to ）

congregate v. 集合；聚集（集聚在一起）《 con-=together 》 segregate v. 隔离；分离（离开群体）《 se-=apart 》 egregious adj. 非常的；太过的（离开群体）《 e-=ex-=out 》

Synonyms: isolate; insulate; seclude; segregate; sequester The central meaning shared by these verbs is to separate from others. a mountain village that is isolated from all other communities与所有其它

的聚居区都隔断的山村； trying to insulate （ To cause to be in a detached or isolated position ） he

rself from the chaos surrounding her; 竭力把她自己与周围的混乱隔开； a famous actor who was secluded （ To set or keep apart, as from social co

ntact with others ） from public scrutiny; 不受公众审查的名演员； characteristics that segregate leaders from followers; 使领袖与其追随者区分开的特点；

sequestering （ To remove or set apart; segregate ） a jury during its deliberations. 在陪审团审议时将其隔离

5)The committee of the sculpture section received a private reprimand for having been so careless as to omit the words “for whites only”from the conditions…

a private reprimand: a private criticism; a criticism that is not made public

reprimand: a sharp, angry and official rebuke （ criticism ）

Compare: reprimand; reprove （ To voice or convey disapproval of; rebuke ） ; rebuke （ To criticize or reprove sharply; reprimand. ） ; admonish （ To reprove gently but earnestly. ）

so careless as to omit the words“for whites only”from the conditions: so careless that they forgot to put the words “for whites only”in the conditions for entering the competition

6)a very high personage

a high-ranking official; an important person personage: a person of distinction compare: person, personage; personnel; personality personnel department 人事处 [科 ] public personages社会贤达 He is fast becoming a personage. 他很快成为名人。 won the election more on personality than on capability.以人品而非能力赢得了竞选

7)“was indisputably the best”

indisputably: Beyond dispute or doubt; undeniably: 无可争辩或不容置疑的；不可否认的： indisputable evidence. 无可争辩的证据

indisputably: 【 in （ not ） +dis （ apart ） +put （ think ） +able （ adj. ） + （ l ） y （ adv. ）】

pute=to think more examples: compute计算，估计（和数字一起考虑）（ com-=to

gether ） depute委托（某人）为代理（把想法置于其下 ---委任于人）（ de-=

down ） dispute争论；辩论；反抗（改变其想法）《 dis-=apart 》 impute归（咎）于（认为是～的错）《 im-=in 》 putative推定的；假定的；想象的 repute 认为；视为； n. 声望；名誉（再思考）《 re-=again 》

8)…but in certain powerful quarters, there was an outcry against any departure from the “traditional policies”of the country…

…but in certain politically influential circles, there was a strong protest against this decision as it was not in conformity with the traditional, apartheid policies of the country…

quarters: a usually unspecified group of people information from the highest quarters. 来自高层的信息 certain powerful quarters: 某些大人物们 outcry: a strong protest or objection public outcry over the rise in prices. compare: decry （ To condemn openl

y. ） departure from: a divergence from a rule or traditional practice “traditional policies”: They refer to the racist policies which had been in e

ffect for many years.

9) …and a threat that many white prize-winners would renounce their prizes. note: prize-winner; man-eater; gold-winner; record-hold

er; renounce: To give up (a title, for example), especially

by formal announcement. See: relinquish nounce, nunci=to report announce 《 an-=ad-=to 》 denounce 公开指责；当众责骂（报以强硬的姿态）（ de-=down ,fully ） ; pronounce; enunciate 发音；宣布；发表《 e-=ex-=out 》

10) However, a crisis was averted, because the sculptor was “unfortunately unable to attend the ceremony”.

A crisis was avoided because to the relief of the authorities Simelane apologized that he would not be able to attend the ceremony personally to receive the prize.

Notice that what is given here in quotes is the official announcement which was probably not true, and everybody knew it.

avert: turn away; prevent 【 a-=abs-=away 】 averse:厌恶的；反对的；不愿意的（回避的态度） aversion controvert否认；反驳；辩论（面向反面）【 contro-=contra-=a

gainst 】 adverse; advert; anniversary 【 anni-=year 】 versatile

11) “I wasn’t feeling up to it,”Simelane said mischievously to me. “My parents, and my wife’s parents, and our priest, decided that I wasn’t feeling up to it. And finally I decided so too.”

When Simelane said mischievously to the author that he wasn’t feeling up to it, he meant that he was going to pretend that he was sick and therefore he could not go to the ceremony, and he knew that the author would understand that it was only an excuse. The meaning became even clearer when he went on to say that his parents and others “decided”that he wasn’t feeling up to it. When they really meant of course was that he should not go to the ceremony as it was too risky.

12) “boys, I’m a sculptor, not a demonstrator.”

Majosi and Sola and the others were obviously well-known anti-apartheid activists. They wanted him to go to the ceremony for political reasons. But his response was that he was only a sculptor and he was not interested in politics. He did not want to make it a political issue.

boys: my friends

13) “This cognac is wonderful,” he said, “especially in these big glasses. It’s the first time I’ve had such a glass. it’s also the first time I’ve drunk a brandy so slowly.”

Brandy is an expensive drink that was usually consumed by well-to-do white folks in Apartheid South Africa who would use a brandy glass and sip slowly. When a black person like Simelane ever got a chance to drink brandy, he would usually use a small glass and drink it quickly for fear that he might be seen and arrested by the police for breaking the law. A brandy glass is a large one with a wide bowl and narrower top. It is this shape so that the drinker can appreciate the aroma of brandy.

14) “In Orlando you develop a throat of iron, and you just put back your head and put it down, in case the police should arrive.”

When black folks in Orlando drank brandy, frequently they had to put back their head and drink it up in one gulp in order to avoid police detection, and because brandy is a very strong drink, you gradually develop a very strong throat—like a throat of iron.

Notice that according to apartheid laws, blacks could not remain in the big cities after a certain hour at night. Orlando must be a small town where blacks live.

PartⅡ （ paras. 7-76 ）

1. Questions for Comprehension 1) How did Simelane’s African Mother and Child find its way t

o the window of the Alabaster Bookstore? 2) How did Simelane come to meet van Rensburg? 3) Did Simelane tell the white man who he was? What do you

think was the reason why van Rensburg decided to befriend this black stranger?

4) How did Simelane feel when he realized that they were going to drink in the passageway?

5 )Why did Simelane’s wife weep when she heard the story that night?

2.Language points

1) Well, after the competition they asked me if they could exhibit my Africa Mother and Child.

exhibit: v. To present in a public exhibition or contest: an automobile exhibition 汽车展览会 an exhibition match 表演赛 an exhibition of bravery 表现出勇敢 hab, hibit=to have exhibit 表现，展示（拿出去）《 ex-=out 》 exhi

bition inhibit v. 抑制；禁止；防止（拿在手中→抑制）《 in-=in 》 prohibit v. 禁止；阻止（在前面压制）《 pro-=before 》 habit; habitual; habitude; cohabit; inhabit

2) They gave a window to it, with a white velvet backdrop, if there is anything called white velvet, and some complimentary words.

They gave a whole window to the sculpture with a white curtain at the back and some words in praise of the work. The curtain （ backdrop ） was made of white velvet, if there is such a thing as white velvet.

Velvet is usually soft and smooth. But in this country of apartheid, it was hard for the sculptor to associate the color “white”with such qualities as “softness”and “smoothness”.

Notice the sharp contrast of the colors of the backdrop and the sculpture. There is something symbolic about it.

complimentary: paying compliments; expressing praise or admiration

compare: complimentary; complementary

3)On my way from the station to the Herald office, I…would only squint at it out of the corner of my eye.

the station: This obviously refers to the railway station. The sculptor lives in Orlando as he is not allowed to live in the big city and therefore has to commute by train every day.

the Herald office: We can assume that the sculptor works for a newspaper called Herald.

to squint at: to look or glance to the side Compare: gape （ To stare wonderingly or stupidly, often with the

mouth open ） ; gawk （ To stare or gape stupidly ） ; gaze （ To look steadily, intently, and with fixed attention ） ; glance （ To move rapidly from one thing to another. Used of the eyes. ） ; peek （ To look or peer furtively, as from a place of concealment. ） ; peer （ To look intently, searchingly, or with difficulty. ） ; stare （ To look directly and fixedly, often with a wide-eyed gaze ）

out of the corner of my eye: notice in this idiom that it is “my eye”, not “my eyes”.

idioms associated with eye: all eyes:Fully attentive. an eye for an eye:Punishment in which an offender suffers what the victim has

suffered. lay (one's) eyes on:To look at. eye to eye:In agreement e.g.We're eye to eye on all the vital issues. have eyes for:To be interested in. have (one's) eye on:To look at, especially attentively or continuously. To have as one's objective. in a pig's eye:Under no condition; never: e.g.In a pig's eye will I ever do that. in the eye of the wind:In a direction opposite that of the wind; close to the win

d. in the public eye:Frequently seen in public or in the media.Widely publicized;

well-known. my eye:In no way; not at all. Used interjectionally. with an eye to:With a view to

4) …so I thought I’d go and see the window, and indulge certain plearsurable human feelings.

So I thought I’d go and see the window, and enjoy secretly some pleasant feelings— feelings of pride for example for one’s genius.

indulge: He even indulged his children. 他甚至于纵容孩子。

His father sometimes indulges in a cigarette. 他的父亲有时喜欢抽一支烟。

5) I must have got a little lost in the contemplation of my own genius…

I must have become too absorbed or preoccupied about my own genius…

6) And you know, one doesn’t get called “mate”every day.

In South Africa, a black man does not hear a white man call him “mate”. They are usually treated very rudely. But this white man was very friendly. Therefore he just couldn’t bring himself to say no to his invitation.

7) Then he said confidentially, …

confidential: a confidential secretary 机要秘书 a confidential tone of voice亲密的声调 confidential inf

ormation秘密情报 strictly confidential 绝密 on confidential terms with sb.与某人知交 Don't become too confidential with strangers. 不要太信任陌生人。

8) Well honestly I didn’t feel like a drink at that time of night, with a white stranger and all, and a train still to catch to orlando.

Well, to tell the truth, I didn’t feel like a drink at that time of night, It was getting late, and I had to catch a train to Orlando before I got into trouble with the police. Besides, I would be drinking with a white stranger and would have to face all the possible consequences.

and all:等等 ; 连 ... 一齐都 ; [ 方 ]此外 ; 的确 and all that如此等等 e.g. My boss promised to provide me with a computer a

nd all. He ate the whole of the fish, head, tail, bones, and all.

9) “My flat’s just round the corner. Do you speak Afrikaans?”

round the corner: very near Afrikaans: a Dutch dialect spoken mainly by the white

people of Dutch descent in South Africa. The fact that the sculptor had spoken the language since he was a child showed that although he was black he was well-educated. In this passage, there was quite a problem for the sculptor as to what language he should use, as language served as an important social status symbol.

Boers: A Dutch colonist or descendant of a Dutch colonist in South Africa.

布尔人南非荷兰殖民者或荷兰殖民者的后裔

10) I couldn’t have told him my name.

Why did Simelane say he couldn’t have told van Rensburg his name?

It might be that Simelane had been acting as if he were admiring somebody else’s work of art and therefore it would be embarrassing to reveal his true identity. He did not want the other person to know that he was indulging in admiring his own genius, esp. after hearing the compliments of the stranger.

11)We didn’t exactly walk abreast, but he didn’t exactly walk in front of me.

Note that “exactly” are used twice. Does the author use it casually or on purpose? What does this sentence imply?

abreast: 1.Side by side ships docked two abreast.两只船并肩停靠 2. Up to date with keeping abreast of the latest developments及时了解最

新动态

12) He didn’t look constrained.

He didn’t look unnatural. He didn’t feel uncomfortable being together with me. He invited me to his house sincerely.

a constrained manner 不自然的态度 a constrained confession逼供， 被迫招供 constrained force受约束力 a constrained smile 强作的笑容

13) “I wanted a bookshop, like that one there, I always wanted that, ever since I can remember. But I had bad luck. My parents died before I could finish school.”

Did van Rensburg’s background have anything to do with his appreciation of the sculpture?

14) I was glad to see that the entrance lobby was deserted. I wasn’t at my ease. The lift was at ground level, marked Whites only.

I was glad to see that there was no one in the wide entrance passage. I was a bit nervous.

to be deserted: with no one present to be at one’s ease: feeling natural and comfortable; witho

ut any embarrassment or discomfort Notice that Simelane was ill at ease in a place where he was

not supposed to be. That was why he was glad that the lobby was deserted and why he was so anxious to get moving and away from the ground floor.

15) …he stood with his finger suspended over it, and looked at me with a kind of honest, unselfish envy.

… and looked at me in a way that showed that he sincerely envied me. He was not jealous of my education.

suspend: 1.To bar for a period from a privilege, office, or position, usually as a punishment suspend a student from school.勒令一学生休学

2.To render temporarily ineffective: suspend a jail sentence; 缓刑； suspend all parking regulations.暂缓执行停车条例

16) On the other side were the doors, impersonal doors

impersonal doors: The doors looked impersonal because for one thing, they looked all the same, this being a cheap apartment building. They had no names or signs on them.

Impersonal: 1.showing no emotions or feelings: an aloof, impersonal manner.冷淡、疏远的态度 2. Lacking personality; not being a person: an impersonal force.非人力

3.Having no personal reference or connection: an impersonal remark.客观的评价

4.Not responsive to or expressive of human personalities: a large, impersonal corporation. 一个没有人情味的大公司 Notice that the white man was friendly enough to invite Simelane to

have a drink, but he was not ready to invite him into his home.

17) “Sorry there’s no brandy,” he said. “Only wine. here’s happiness.”

He was sorry that there was no brandy, for brandy is generally considered more expensive stuff.

18) I wasn’t only feeling what you may be thinking, I was thinking that one of the impersonal doors might open at any moment, and someone might see me in a “white”building, and see me and van Rensburg breaking the liquor laws of the country.

You may be thinking that it was an insult to have me drink in the passage instead of invited me into their apartment, to sit down and drink properly. Yes, I was feeling that way. But there was something else. I was also afraid that one of the cold, unfriendly doors might open at any moment and someone might see me in this “whites only”building, drinking with a white man and breaking the laws on drinking.

19. Anger could have saved me from the whole embarrassing situation, but you know I can’t easily be angry. Even if I could have been, I might have found it hard to be angry with this particular man.

I could have simply left then and there angrily and thus freed myself from the awkward situation. But you know, I’m not the kind of person who can easily get angry. Even if I could, I might have found it hard to be angry with this particular man. He seemed so nice to me.

20) …but not for all the money in the world could I have said to her dankie, my nooi or that disgusting dankie, misses

Under no circumstances could I have said to her dankie, my nooi or that disgusting dankie, misses

Apparently, both “dankie, my nooi” and “dankie, misses”, something like “Thank you, my lady”, were considered proper in this context for blacks. But Simelane would not talk like that. He had his dignity. On the other hand, he could not speak English because the woman was speaking Afrikaans. So finally he took his chance and used an expression so polite in Afrikaans that he could have been knocked down for forgetting his place as polite language was supposed to be reserved only for the white people.

high Afrikaans: Afrikaans spoken by educated white Africaners

21) …so I took the risk of it and used the word mevrou,…,“EK is a dankbaar, Mevrou.”

Mevrou: Madam, a title of respect, clearly inappropriate for a black person to use

EK is a dankbaar, Mevrou: This must be a very form of address.

Obviously Simelane was caught “between a rock and a hard place”. As an educated person, he had a natural refined manner and inclined to use more formal form of address, but as a black, he was not supposed to.

between a rock and a hard place: Confronted with equally unpleasant alternatives and few or no opportunities to evade or circumvent them.

22) But nobody knocked me down.

knock down: Here it means“To bring to the ground with a blow; topple.”

2.To disassemble into parts, as for storage or shipping. 3.To declare sold at an auction, as by striking a blow with a gavel. 4.Informal To reduce, as in price:knocked all the radios down 20 percent. 5. Slang To receive as wages; earn: knocks down $50 an hour.每小时收入 50 美元 He's knocked about Africa all his life. 他在非洲漂泊一生。 He knocks his wife about. 他虐待妻子。 That car knocked her back $5000. 那辆车她花了 5000 美元。 The news knocked him back. 这消息使他大吃一惊 Knock it off! I'm trying to sleep.别闹了！我要睡觉了 knock someone's socks off: To overwhelm or amaze.使不知所措，使

吃惊 knocking off someone else's ideas.抄袭别人的构想 knock out: To render unconscious.使昏迷不醒

23) …and van Rensburg, in a strained voice that suddenly came out of nowhere, said, “our is beautiful. But it breaks my heart.”

van Rensburg suddenly appeared and, in a worried voice, said, “our country is beautiful, but it makes one feel extremely sad.”

out of/from no where: happening or appearing suddenly and without warning.

be [come in] nowhere( 比赛等中 ) 名落孙山 ; 一事无成 , 考得很糟 ; can lead nowhere 不可能有什么前途 [结果 ] get nowhere 一事无成 , 毫无进展 nowhere near差得远 ; 远不及 strained: 1. Done with or marked by excessive effort; forced: strained humor牵强的幽默 2. Extended beyond proper limits a strained meaning. 过分的含义 3. Antagonized to the verge of open conflict strained relations.紧张的关系

24) …, and van Rensburg said, as though it were a matter for grief,…

grief: Trouble or difficulty: matter,affair,thing,concern,business 这组名词都有“事情”的意思。 1.matter 所表示的“事情”在含意上比较模糊，通常指客观存在

的或有待处理的问题 Education in the wilderness is not a matter of monetary means.

2.affair 以单数形式出现时，通常指一般的“事情”，而以复数形式出现时，通常指重大的“事情”。不管单、复数这个词所表示的“事情”都包含着“在进行中”、“处在过程中”或“交易、交往”的意思。 Having found out that his wife had an affair with another man, the poor man wanted to kill himself.

Convenience is, however, in all affairs of life, an execrable test of value. 然而，在生活的一切事务中投合是可恶的实用准则。

3.thing 在含义上比 matter 还要模糊，有时为了含糊其词而有意用 thing 。如： I hope things'll be better in the future.

The most frightening thing of all was that not a sound could be heard. 4.business 所表示的“事情”或“事务”多与“职务”有关，有时

这个词指强加的“任务”。口语中的“ None of your business!"( 这不是你的事！ )以及 "Mind your own business!"(多管闲事！ ) ，很能说明 business 的这种含义

Be that as it may, the nerve poison does its business with man far more quickly than the blood poison.

5.如果想表示个人的或者与个人有直接关系的“事情”，最好用 concern ，这与 concern 在用作动词所表示的“关心”有联系

It's no concern of mine. 这不关我的事。

25) And I thought the whole thing was mad, and getting beyond me, with me a black stranger being shown a testimonial for the son of the house,

Why did he say the whole thing was mad and getting beyond him? van Rensburg was the son of the house, and the woman was praising

him in front of a black man, and a stranger at that too. This obviously was very abnormal, and Simelane was bewildered.

to get beyond sb: to become difficult for sb to understand26) …, and I, wanting to get the hell out of that place, looked at it and

saw it was cognac. the hell: Used as an intensive:用于加强语气： How the hell can I go? . 我怎么能去呢 ?

27) All of us were full of goodwill, but I was waiting for the opening of one of those impersonal doors. Perhaps they were too, I don’t know. Perhaps when you want so badly to touch someone, you don’t care.

All of us were full of warm and friendly feelings toward each other, but I was hoping that one of those doors would open and someone would come out and see me. Perhaps van Rensburg and the others were hoping the same thing, I am not quite sure. Perhaps when you want to reach out so eagerly, you don’t care what might happen.

Notice that at that moment everybody wanted to forget their racial difference, but the invisible barrier was still there.

28) We drove up Eloff Street, and he said, “Did you know what I mean?” I wanted to answer him, but I couldn’t, because I didn’t know what that something was. he couldn’t be talking about being frightened of Orlando at night, because what more could one mean than just that?

We drove up Eloff Street, and he asked, “Did you know what I mean?”He wanted to make sure that I understood him. Being a black, I knew very well that he couldn’t be talking about it being dangerous in Orlando at night. He was saying that it was dangerous to break the Apartheid laws by showing up in Orlando at night. What else could he mean other than that? I knew he wanted understanding and further communication, I wanted to answer him, but I couldn’t, because I didn’t know what he wanted me to say.

Clearly, the long separation between the whites and blacks made it impossible for them to communicate in depth.

29) “You know,”he said, “about our land being beautiful?”

The unfinished words are: but it breaks my heart. Van Rensburg wanted Simelane to know that he felt sorry about their country’s Apartheid laws.

Notice that throughout the conversation, van Rebsburg was expressing his concern about the sad situation the country was in, and he thought that the black man probably would not understand. The truth of course was just the opposite.

30)Yes, I knew what he meant, and I knew that for God’s sake he wanted to touch me too and he couldn’t; for his eyes had been blinded by years in the dark. And I thought it was a pity he was blind, for if men never touch each other, they’ll hurt each other one day.

Yes, I knew what he meant, and I knew, too, that he really wanted to touch me. But he couldn’t, for he had been influenced by racism for so long that he was now unable to see the truth and behave accordingly. And I thought it was a sad thing, because if you don’t understand each other and don’t care for each other, some day you will hurt each other. Racial prejudices are bound to lead to terrible sufferings for both sides.

touch me: It probably doesn’t mean “physical touch”but“get close in spirit”.

31)…for his eyes had been blinded by years in the dark?

blind: （ here this word is metaphorically used ） To deprive of perception or insight: e.g. prejudice that blinded them to the merits of the proposal.

Influenced by the Apartheid laws for years, how could he see or find out the truth free from prejudice against the blacks?

32) And it was a pity he was blind, and couldn’t touch me, for black men don’t touch white men any more; only by accident, when they make something like Mother and Child.

And it was a pity he could not see the truth and couldn’t open up completely to me and embrace me as his brother, for black people could only touch them by accident as in this case. They would not have had the chance to be moved by the sculpture Mother and Child if it had not been for the oversight.

33) …and my inarticulateness distressed me, …and my inability to express myself upset me; The fact that I could not clearly

express what I was thinking made me upset. distress: Two in distress makes sorrow less. 同病相怜 , 同忧相救。 compare: distress suffering agony anguish misery都含“痛苦”的意思。 distress指“精神上悲痛或造成痛苦的原因”、“身体上的疼痛或不适”

或“某种灾难所造成的痛苦或苦难” , 如 :Famine caused widespread distress.饥荒引起了普遍的忧虑。 suffering指“身体或精神上的痛苦” , 着重“对痛苦的感觉和忍受” , 一

般用于人 , 如 :His wound caused him great suffering. 他的伤使他深受痛苦。 agony指“肉体上或精神上的巨大痛苦” , 如 :He suffered agonies from his

arm. 他感到胳膊痛极了。 anguish多指“精神上令人难以忍受的痛苦” , 如 : the anguish of despair 绝望引起的极度痛苦。 misery指“在身体、精神或感情方面长期的极大痛苦或不幸” , 或“造成

这种不幸的原因” , 含“无希望解脱”的意思 , 如 : She died in misery in a convent. 她悲惨地在修道院死去。

34)“Thank you for the sociable evening.”

a sociable evening: an evening characterized by pleasant, informal conversation and companionship.

compare: amiable; congenial; cordial; friendly; gregarious; amicable

35)…but I was thinking he was like a man trying to run a race in iron shoes, and not understanding why he cannot move.

But I was thinking that he was much like a man trying to run but couldn’t because he was still not completely free from racist prejudices which were dragging his feet like iron shoes. And the sad thing was that he did not know what was preventing their land, which otherwise was so beautiful, from becoming a country that would not break his heart. The wall was in his own heart.

an iron constitution （ Hardy; robust: ）强健的体魄 iron resolve （ Inflexible; unyielding ）不可动摇的决心 has many irons in the fire this year今年有许多事要做 to fill sb’s shoes接替某人的工作或位置 in sb’s shoes处于某人的位置 the shoe is on the other foot The circumstances have been reversed; an unequal

relationship has been inverted. 情况已经逆转；一种不平等的关系已经被倒过来了 wait for the other shoe to drop To defer action or decision until another matter

is finished or resolved.推迟行动或决定，直到另一件事情做完或解决

Ⅵ Questions for discussion

1. Has racism been a serious problem in human history? Is the problem resolved?

2. Is it easy to detect the existence of racism? Why or why not? Does racism only involve governments and politicians?

Ⅶ Language focus

1. Vocabulary

Verb: suspend, avert, guard, exhibit

Noun: envy

2. Grammar Focus

Subject-verb agreement

It is / was said/believed, etc

connectives

Ⅷ Exercises

Omitted.

Thank You !