contemporary college english book one

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Contemporary College EnglishContemporary College EnglishBook OneBook One

Unit 3Unit 3

Message Of The LandMessage Of The Land

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Message of the Message of the LandLand

Pira SudhamPira Sudham► About the Author: About the Author:

background / works /comments / background / works /comments / mapmap

► About the TextAbout the Text

figures of speech / word study / figures of speech / word study / understandingunderstanding

► In-class DiscussionIn-class Discussion

► After-class ActivitiesAfter-class Activities

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About the About the AuthorAuthor

► Pira Sudham spent his childhood in the rice fields on the Pira Sudham spent his childhood in the rice fields on the Korat PlateauKorat Plateau, , helping his parents and tending a herd of helping his parents and tending a herd of buffaloes until he went to Bangkok(buffaloes until he went to Bangkok( 曼谷曼谷 // 泰国首都泰国首都 )) at the at the age of fourteen to be a servant to monks in a Buddhist age of fourteen to be a servant to monks in a Buddhist temple where he was also admitted to a school. temple where he was also admitted to a school.

► To support himself through high school and the first year To support himself through high school and the first year at the Faculty of Arts(at the Faculty of Arts( 文学院文学院 )), Chulalongkorn University, , Chulalongkorn University, he sold souvenirs to tourists until he won a New Zealandhe sold souvenirs to tourists until he won a New Zealand(( 新西兰新西兰 [[ 大洋洲大洋洲 ])]) government scholarship to study English government scholarship to study English literature at Auckland(literature at Auckland( 奥克兰奥克兰 // 新西兰港市新西兰港市 )) University and University and later at Victoria University, Wellington(later at Victoria University, Wellington( 惠灵顿惠灵顿 // 新西兰）新西兰） . .

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► His writings began to appear in literary publications in His writings began to appear in literary publications in New Zealand, Hong Kong and the United States before New Zealand, Hong Kong and the United States before his first book, his first book, Tales of ThailandTales of Thailand was published in 1983, was published in 1983, followed by followed by People of People of EsarnEsarn in 1987.in 1987.

► He has lived for over ten years in Australia and the He has lived for over ten years in Australia and the United Kingdom, where he wrote United Kingdom, where he wrote Monsoon CountryMonsoon Country (1988), and its sequel(1988), and its sequel, , The Force of KarmaThe Force of Karma (2002). (2002).

► Pira Sudham is the Thai author writing in English who Pira Sudham is the Thai author writing in English who was nominated for the 1990 Nobel Prize for Literature. was nominated for the 1990 Nobel Prize for Literature. His novel and short stories provide insights into Thai His novel and short stories provide insights into Thai life, particularly that of rural northeast Thailand.life, particularly that of rural northeast Thailand.

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Tales of Thailand

Out of the relocation of millions of people in the path of dam constructions and eucalyptus ( 桉树 ) plantations, the suppression of wages and the price of agricultural produce, the forceful drive to gain more land to grow eucalyptus trees, the corruption, prostitution, child trade, slave labour, the horror of the Thailand-Burma( 缅甸 [ 亚洲 ]) Death Railway during the World War II, the economic crisis in July 1997, the war to win the people in impoverished Esarn in the seventies and the daily grind in the Mother of Gridlock – Bangkok( 曼谷 )come tales of hope and tales of woe, tales of acceptance and tales of the struggle for survival that become Tales of Thailand.

About the Author

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People of EsarnPeople of Esarn

Pira Sudham conveys the inner voices Pira Sudham conveys the inner voices of his subjects regardless of how illiterate, of his subjects regardless of how illiterate, timid and insignificant they seem in their timid and insignificant they seem in their daily lives. Their simplicity and sensitivity daily lives. Their simplicity and sensitivity come through his direct and clear prose, come through his direct and clear prose, yet moving and touching. He writes with yet moving and touching. He writes with understanding and compassion for his understanding and compassion for his people. people.

Foreign writers writing about the Thai Foreign writers writing about the Thai people look at Thailand from the outside, people look at Thailand from the outside, but Pira Sudham writes about his people but Pira Sudham writes about his people and country as seen from the inside. This is and country as seen from the inside. This is one of the things that makes them so one of the things that makes them so fascinatingfascinating. .

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Monsoon CountryMonsoon Country It depicts the problems of social It depicts the problems of social

transition in present day Thailand transition in present day Thailand and gives insightsand gives insights into Thai life in into Thai life in the rural northeast. It is set in the rural northeast. It is set in Thailand, England and Germany to Thailand, England and Germany to convey the cultural tension between convey the cultural tension between the East and the West, the clashes the East and the West, the clashes between the new powers and the old between the new powers and the old values, covering the span of 25 values, covering the span of 25 years of the social-economic and years of the social-economic and political changes occurring in political changes occurring in Thailand. Thailand.

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The Force of KarmaThe Force of KarmaThis sequel to This sequel to Monsoon Monsoon CountryCountry covers the covers the tumultuoustumultuous （（骚乱的）骚乱的） years years of the economic crisis, the of the economic crisis, the political upheavals and the political upheavals and the massacre of May 1992, right massacre of May 1992, right up to the beginning of the up to the beginning of the year 2002. year 2002.

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About the About the AuthorAuthorOthers’ Comments:---“Pira Sudham has given a voice to the poor of Thailand.”

---“Pira Sudham is undoubtedly one of the foremost Thai writers of today, a formidable vivisector to reveal the hidden aspects of Thai society.”

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Pira Sudham's Own Words: Pira Sudham's Own Words: "If I had not left my village then, I would "If I had not left my village then, I would

have been subject, like most villagers, to the mercy of nature: floods, drought, have been subject, like most villagers, to the mercy of nature: floods, drought, disease, ignorance and scarcity. With endurance, I would have accepted them as disease, ignorance and scarcity. With endurance, I would have accepted them as my own fate, as something I cannot go against in this life.“my own fate, as something I cannot go against in this life.“

"In my mind I carry memories of childhood, of life in villages, much as a "In my mind I carry memories of childhood, of life in villages, much as a pregnant woman carrying a child. Every day these images grow, and I know that pregnant woman carrying a child. Every day these images grow, and I know that one day I shall have to give birth to them through the medium of writing. one day I shall have to give birth to them through the medium of writing. Besides, I don't want people in our villages, so far removed from other peoples Besides, I don't want people in our villages, so far removed from other peoples because of distance and poverty, to be born, suffer and to die in vain."because of distance and poverty, to be born, suffer and to die in vain."

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About the TextAbout the Text

StructureStructurePart 1: The wife’s speechPart 1: The wife’s speech

((parapara. 1- ). 1- )

((parapara. - ). - )

Part 2: The farmer’s speechPart 2: The farmer’s speech

((parapara. - 11). - 11)

The wife tells us briefly about each member of her family and how all her children left.

This part focuses on the changes that she finds she can’t adjust to.

The farmer tells us what he thinks are the roots of all evils. He also tells us what joys he finds in life and in farming.

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4 7

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Figures of SpeechFigures of Speech

A simile is a brief comparison , usually A simile is a brief comparison , usually introduced by the preposition “introduced by the preposition “likelike” or ” or the conjunction “the conjunction “asas”, and etc.”, and etc.

Simile：

A simile consists of two parts: tenor and vehicle. The tenor is the primary subject; the vehicle is the thing to which the main subject is compared to.

（明喻）

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Records (fell)Records (fell) like like ripe apples (on ripe apples (on a windy day).a windy day).

The data The data processing (is processing (is

going on)going on)

as (slow) as as (slow) as a snaila snail

subject / subject / tenortenor

simile simile markermarker

reference/ reference/ vehiclevehicle

Examples:

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Figures of SpeechFigures of Speech A metaphor is also a comparison.The A metaphor is also a comparison.The

difference is that a simile compares difference is that a simile compares things explicitly--- that is , it states things explicitly--- that is , it states literally that X is like Y. literally that X is like Y.

A metaphor compares things implicitly. A metaphor compares things implicitly. Read literally, it does not state that Read literally, it does not state that things are alike; it says that they are things are alike; it says that they are the same thing, that they are identical.the same thing, that they are identical.

Metaphor:

（隐喻，暗喻）

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subject / tenorsubject / tenor reference/ reference/ vehiclevehicle

Cape Cod (is the Cape Cod (is the bared and bared and bended)bended)

arm of arm of (Massachusetts(Massachusetts))

He (is)He (is) a wolf (in a wolf (in sheep’s sheep’s clothing). clothing).

Examples:

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Figures of SpeechFigures of Speech► Q: Q: Can you find some examples of the Can you find some examples of the

usage of simile in the text?usage of simile in the text?

1. Sometimes, they get bullied and insulted, and it is like knife piercing my heart.

2. It is no longer fertile, bleeding year after year, and like us getting old and exhausted.

3. When each of them has a pair of jeans, they are off like birds on the wing.

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Sentence Sentence ParaphraseParaphrase

1. My husband moved into our house as is the way with us in Esarn.

(When we got married) my husband came to live in our house. It was the tradition here in Esarn that the bridegroom should come to live with the bride’s family.2. 2. Often they sent some money to us and tell us that Often they sent some money to us and tell us that

they are doing well. I know this is not always true.they are doing well. I know this is not always true.

… although they always tell us that everything is fine with them. I know they also have difficulties and problems. They just do not tell us because they don’t want us to worry.

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3. Sometimes, they get bullied and insulted, and it is like a knife piercing my heart.

When I hear about their hardships, I feel very sad.

4. It’s easier for my husband . He has ears which don’t hear, a mouth which doesn’t speak, and eyes that don’t see.

News about my children’s problems doesn’t make my husband as sad. He doesn’t bother about what is happening around us and to our children. He never says anything about them.

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5. All of them remain my children in spite of their 5. All of them remain my children in spite of their long absence.long absence.

Although they are often away for a long time, I Although they are often away for a long time, I love and care about them as always because they love and care about them as always because they are my children.are my children.

6. Our piece of land is small, and it is no longer 6. Our piece of land is small, and it is no longer fertile, bleeding year after year, and like us, fertile, bleeding year after year, and like us, getting old and exhausted.getting old and exhausted.

Our land is getting poorer with each passing year, Our land is getting poorer with each passing year, like us who are getting old, weak and tired.like us who are getting old, weak and tired.

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7. Only ten years ago, you could darter for things, but now it’s all cash.

Just ten years ago, you could exchange one thing for another, but today we have to use money to get everything we need.

8. In my day, if I were to put on a pair of trousers like they do now, lightning would strike me.

When I was young, I surely would be punished by God if I ever wore the kind of trousers they wear today.

About the Text

Sentence Paraphrase

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9. My eyes do see--- they see more than they should. My 9. My eyes do see--- they see more than they should. My ears do hear---they hear more than is good for me.ears do hear---they hear more than is good for me.

I’m not what my wife says I am. I do see and hear--- I see and hear too much evil, too many ugly and terrible things, things that I wish I did not have to see and hear. And this is not good for me.

10. Still the land could not tie them down or call them back.

My children grew up and had happy days on this land. But this couldn’t prevent them from leaving or making them return.

----end

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Word StudyWord Studymarrymarry: : vt./vi.vt./vi.

They married young.They married young.

John is going to marry Jane.John is going to marry Jane.

marry sb off marry sb off

He married his daughter off to a rich He married his daughter off to a rich man.man.

marriedmarried: : a.a.

be married to sb.be married to sb.

He is married to a famous writer.He is married to a famous writer.

married to sth.married to sth.:: dedicated to sthdedicated to sth

He is married to his work.He is married to his work.

marriagemarriage: : n.n.

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Word StudyWord Studyafford toafford to: : can / could/ be able + afford can / could/ be able + afford

sthsth

to do sthto do sth

They walked because they couldn’t afford (to They walked because they couldn’t afford (to take) taxi.take) taxi.

I mustn’t annoy my boss because I can’t afford I mustn’t annoy my boss because I can’t afford to lose to lose

my job.my job.

他告诉我公司无法支付如此巨额的工资。他告诉我公司无法支付如此巨额的工资。

He told me that the firm could not afford to pay such large salaries.

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Word StudyWord Study

now and thennow and then: now and again; : now and again; occasionallyoccasionally

here and therehere and there: everywhere: everywhere

ups and downsups and downs: alternate good and bad : alternate good and bad luckluck

盛衰盛衰 , , 沉浮沉浮ins and outsins and outs: the details and complexities : the details and complexities (of sth)(of sth)

详情、细节详情、细节 ; ; 底细底细 , , 来龙去脉来龙去脉

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in spitein spite ofof: (used as a : (used as a prepprep.) regardless of; .) regardless of; despitedespite

尽管下雨我还是出去了。尽管下雨我还是出去了。

despitedespite (prep.)(prep.): : without being affected bywithout being affected by

尽管天气不好，我们的假期仍过得很愉快。尽管天气不好，我们的假期仍过得很愉快。

regardlessregardless ofof: : (used as a (used as a prepprep.) (infml) .) (infml) paying no attention to paying no attention to

他怎么想就怎么说，不考虑别人的情绪。他怎么想就怎么说，不考虑别人的情绪。

About the Text

Word Study

I went out in spite of the rain.

Despite the bad weather we enjoyed our holiday.

He says what he thinks, regardless of other people's feelings.

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mind one’s ownmind one’s own… :… :

mind one’s own businessmind one’s own business: :

not interfere in other people’s affairnot interfere in other people’s affair

mind one’s own p’s and q’smind one’s own p’s and q’s: :

be careful and polite about what one be careful and polite about what one says or doessays or does

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bleedbleed: : v.v. (bled; bled) loose or emit blood (bled; bled) loose or emit blood

bleed to deathbleed to death

bleed for sthbleed for sth: suffer wounds or die (for a : suffer wounds or die (for a cause ,one’s cause ,one’s

country)country)

我心里为这些挨饿的孩子感到悲痛。我心里为这些挨饿的孩子感到悲痛。

bleed sb for sthbleed sb for sth: (infml) extort (money) from sb : (infml) extort (money) from sb 勒索；勒索；老板力图从雇工们身上榨取出每一分钱。老板力图从雇工们身上榨取出每一分钱。

About the Text

Word Study

My heart bleeds for the starving children.

The boss tried to bleed his employees for every penny.

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barterbarter: : v./ n.v./ n. exchange (goods, property, etc) exchange (goods, property, etc) for other goods, etc without using moneyfor other goods, etc without using money

barter sth for sthbarter sth for sth::

农民们用大米换机器。农民们用大米换机器。

我们决不拿原则做交易。我们决不拿原则做交易。

barter with sb for sthbarter with sb for sth: :

The prisoners tried to barter with the The prisoners tried to barter with the guards for guards for

their freedom.their freedom.

Farmers bartered rice for machinery.

We will never barter away principles.

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replacereplace: : v.v. --- ---put back in its placeput back in its place

杂志阅后放回原处。杂志阅后放回原处。

------take the place oftake the place of

有什么东西能取代母亲的爱和关怀吗有什么东西能取代母亲的爱和关怀吗 ?? ►

------provide a substitute for sb / sthprovide a substitute for sb / sth► replace a broken window with a new replace a broken window with a new oneone

•Replace the magazines after reading.

Can anything replace a mother's love and care?

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Word StudyWord Studyspringspring: : v.v. jump from the ground in a single jump from the ground in a single movementmovement

spring out of bed spring out of bed 从床上跳起来从床上跳起来 spring to action spring to action 突然行动起来突然行动起来spring from sthspring from sth: : have sth as a source or originhave sth as a source or origin

Hatred often springs from fear.Hatred often springs from fear.

spring upspring up: : appear, develop, grow, etc. quickly or appear, develop, grow, etc. quickly or suddenlysuddenly

微风已开始吹拂。微风已开始吹拂。

我的家乡建了许多工厂。我的家乡建了许多工厂。

A breeze has sprung up.

Many new factories have sprung up in my home town.

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Word StudyWord Studyfashionfashion: : n.n.

in / after the fashion of sbin / after the fashion of sb: (fml) like sb: (fml) like sb

She paints in the fashion of Picasso.She paints in the fashion of Picasso.

act after sb.'s fashion act after sb.'s fashion 照某人的样子去照某人的样子去做做come into / be in fashioncome into / be in fashion: become or be : become or be popularpopular

go / be out of fashiongo / be out of fashion: become outdated: become outdated

fashionablefashionable: : a.a.barberbarber: : n.n.

hairdresserhairdresser:: n.n.

beauticianbeautician: : n.n.

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Word StudyWord Studyoccuroccur: : v.v. happenhappen

事故发生在五点钟。事故发生在五点钟。

occur to sboccur to sb: : come into (a person’s mind)come into (a person’s mind)

我想到一个主意。我想到一个主意。

It never occurred to her that he might be It never occurred to her that he might be cheating her.cheating her.

occurrenceoccurrence: : n.n. event; incident, happeningevent; incident, happening

incidentincident: : n. unimportant or minor things n. unimportant or minor things happenedhappened

eventevent: : n. a happening of importancen. a happening of importance

The accident occurred at five o'clock.

An idea has occurred to me.

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Word StudyWord Studya bag of bonesa bag of bones: : a very thin person or animal.a very thin person or animal.

骨瘦如柴的人骨瘦如柴的人 The cat was just a bag of bones.The cat was just a bag of bones.

bag and baggagebag and baggage: : with all one’s belongings, with all one’s belongings, often suddenly or secretly ; advoften suddenly or secretly ; adv 带着全部财带着全部财产产

Her tenant left, bag and baggage, without Her tenant left, bag and baggage, without paying the rent.paying the rent.

be in the bagbe in the bag: : (of an result, outcome) be as (of an result, outcome) be as desireddesired

[[ 俗俗 ]] 确实无疑确实无疑 , , 稳操胜券稳操胜券Her re-election is in the bag.Her re-election is in the bag.

bag of moonshinebag of moonshine 无稽之谈无稽之谈

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ragrag: : n.n. torn,, odd clothtorn,, odd cloth

I use a rag to clean my bike.I use a rag to clean my bike.

ragsrags: : (pl.)(pl.) old, worn or torn clothesold, worn or torn clothes

这件衬衫已穿得破烂不堪。这件衬衫已穿得破烂不堪。 The shirt was worn to rags.

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tie sb down to sthtie sb down to sth: : restrict sb to certain restrict sb to certain conditionsconditions

Children do tie you down, don’t they?Children do tie you down, don’t they?

tie sb uptie sb up: --- : --- (use passive) occupy sb so that (use passive) occupy sb so that he has no time forhe has no time for other thingsother things

I’m tied up in a meeting until 3 p.m..I’m tied up in a meeting until 3 p.m..

交通因意外事故而受阻。交通因意外事故而受阻。

tietie n.n.

这场比赛打成平局。这场比赛打成平局。

About the Text

Word Study

The traffic was tied up by the accident.

The game ended in a tie.

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Word StudyWord Studypass sth on to sbpass sth on to sb: : hand or give sth to sb else, hand or give sth to sb else,

Pass the book on to me when you’ve finished with Pass the book on to me when you’ve finished with it.it.

请把这句话传给你的老板。请把这句话传给你的老板。

pass sth downpass sth down: (esp passive) : (esp passive) pass sth from one pass sth from one generation to the nextgeneration to the next

这些珠宝在我们家代代相传已有好几百年的历史了。这些珠宝在我们家代代相传已有好几百年的历史了。

pass sth uppass sth up: : (infml)(infml) refuse to accept a chance, an refuse to accept a chance, an opportunity, opportunity,

永远不要放弃学习的机会永远不要放弃学习的机会

Please pass the word to your boss.

These jewels have been passed down in our family from generation to generation for hundreds of years.

Never pass up a chance to learn.

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In-class In-class DiscussionDiscussion

Questions:Questions:► What is the style of writing adopted in the textWhat is the style of writing adopted in the text??

Colloquial.Colloquial.► What is the message in the old couple’s mind? What do you think of the message?What is the message in the old couple’s mind? What do you think of the message?

Love of land, love of physical labor, and above all, love of family. Love of land, love of physical labor, and above all, love of family.

contemporary college english book one

Documents

tales of thailand

thai people

rural northeast thailand

tales of woe

tales of acceptance

present day thailand

thai life

thai author