Unit 7 Unit 7 The ChaserThe Chaser

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Pre-reading questionsPre-reading questions Background informationBackground information Structural analysis of the textStructural analysis of the text Comprehensive questionsComprehensive questions Language pointsLanguage points Sentence highlightsSentence highlights Language appreciationLanguage appreciation Grammar pointsGrammar points Comprehensive questions of Text IIComprehensive questions of Text II

Pre-reading questionsPre-reading questions 1.1.  Do you believe love can be fostered? How can you Do you believe love can be fostered? How can you

lure one into love with you?lure one into love with you? 2.2. What is likely to happen when a couple no longer What is likely to happen when a couple no longer

love each other?love each other?

Background informationBackground information About the author and the textAbout the author and the text John Collier (1901-1980), British playwright, poet, John Collier (1901-1980), British playwright, poet,

and novelist. He was famous for numerous fantasies and novelist. He was famous for numerous fantasies he had written in his lifetime. “The Chaser” was he had written in his lifetime. “The Chaser” was originally published in originally published in The New YorkerThe New Yorker in 1940. in 1940.

SirenSiren（塞（塞壬壬））

In In Greek mythologyGreek mythology, the , the SirensSirens were three dangerous bird-wo were three dangerous bird-women, portrayed as men, portrayed as seductressesseductresses. Roman poets placed them on a. Roman poets placed them on an island called n island called SirenumSirenum scopuliscopuli. In some later, rationalized tra. In some later, rationalized traditions the literal geography of the "flowery" island of ditions the literal geography of the "flowery" island of AnthemoessaAnthemoessa, or Anthemusa,, or Anthemusa,[1][1] is fixed: sometimes on Cape is fixed: sometimes on Cape Pelorum and at others in the Sirenusian islands near Pelorum and at others in the Sirenusian islands near PaestumPaestum o or in r in CapreaeCapreae..[2][2] All such locations were surrounded by cliffs a All such locations were surrounded by cliffs and rocks. Sailors who sailed near were compelled by the Sirennd rocks. Sailors who sailed near were compelled by the Sirens' enchanting music and voices to shipwreck on the rocky coass' enchanting music and voices to shipwreck on the rocky coast. (t. (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Structure analysis of the TextStructure analysis of the Text

This short story, which combines elements of horrorThis short story, which combines elements of horror

and love, is built almost entirely through dialogueand love, is built almost entirely through dialogue

between a young man, Alan Austen, who is deeply inbetween a young man, Alan Austen, who is deeply in

love and wants to possess his lover entirely, and anlove and wants to possess his lover entirely, and an

unnamed old man who believes in a life free of unnamed old man who believes in a life free of

romantic involvement. As the dialogue develops, romantic involvement. As the dialogue develops,

Austen’s attitude towards the potion changes from Austen’s attitude towards the potion changes from

skeptical and hesitant to excited and overwhelmed.skeptical and hesitant to excited and overwhelmed.

Part IPart I Paragraph 1Paragraph 1 In this part, the protagonist, Alan Austen, has been In this part, the protagonist, Alan Austen, has been

introduced.introduced. Part IIPart II Paragraphs 2-12Paragraphs 2-12 The old man is trying to sell his mixture.The old man is trying to sell his mixture. Part IIIPart III Paragraphs 13-45Paragraphs 13-45 Dialogue between the old man and Alan Austen.Dialogue between the old man and Alan Austen.

Questions for comprehensionQuestions for comprehension

1.1.    What is the implied meaning of the old man’s remark. ‘YouWhat is the implied meaning of the old man’s remark. ‘Young people who need a love potion very seldom have five thousng people who need a love potion very seldom have five thousand dollars. Otherwise they would not need a love potion”? (pand dollars. Otherwise they would not need a love potion”? (para. 13)ara. 13) What the old man means is that the young men who fall in love one-sidWhat the old man means is that the young men who fall in love one-sid

edly are seldom rich enough to win a young girls heart. If they are rich, edly are seldom rich enough to win a young girls heart. If they are rich, it will be easier for them to gain girls’ hearts, and they don’t need to buit will be easier for them to gain girls’ hearts, and they don’t need to buy love potions. The old man suggests that money is an important factor y love potions. The old man suggests that money is an important factor for love.for love.

2.2.  What are the effects of the love potion? What are the effects of the love potion? Describe them in detail .Describe them in detail . The love potion has a powerful, everlasting effect. It will make a gay The love potion has a powerful, everlasting effect. It will make a gay

girl care nothing but her lover. She will feel jealous of him when her girl care nothing but her lover. She will feel jealous of him when her lover is with other girls. She will want to be everything to him. She lover is with other girls. She will want to be everything to him. She will be only interested in her lover and take every concern of his. Even will be only interested in her lover and take every concern of his. Even if he slips a little, she will forgive him in the end. In a word, she will if he slips a little, she will forgive him in the end. In a word, she will love him deeply if she drinks the love potion.love him deeply if she drinks the love potion.

3.Why is the love potion priced so low while the glove-cleaner so 3.Why is the love potion priced so low while the glove-cleaner so high?high? The author seems to stress the great gap between the price of the love The author seems to stress the great gap between the price of the love

potion and the glove-cleaner. It is easy for people to fall in love, but it potion and the glove-cleaner. It is easy for people to fall in love, but it hard to keep it. That’s why he has to pay a colossal amount to get hard to keep it. That’s why he has to pay a colossal amount to get himself out of it. The other reason for the low price of the love potion himself out of it. The other reason for the low price of the love potion may be that by doing so, the old man can attract more customers to his may be that by doing so, the old man can attract more customers to his primary commodity, the glove-cleaner.primary commodity, the glove-cleaner.

4.4.  What moral lessons can be drawn from the story?What moral lessons can be drawn from the story? One of the moral lessons we can draw from the story is that One of the moral lessons we can draw from the story is that

anything precious, love included, is most likely to have an anything precious, love included, is most likely to have an end. A person can easily fall in love and get married, but wend. A person can easily fall in love and get married, but what awaits him/her could be endless remorse, and a wish thhat awaits him/her could be endless remorse, and a wish tha tit might end as soon as possible. So one should be wise a tit might end as soon as possible. So one should be wise and keep their eyes open when they are in love though love and keep their eyes open when they are in love though love is said to be blind. is said to be blind.

5. How do the speeches of the young man and the old man diff5. How do the speeches of the young man and the old man differ? How does that help to build up the theme?er? How does that help to build up the theme? The young man’s speech is short and changing. At first, he The young man’s speech is short and changing. At first, he

speaks in short sentences with hesitation, but later on his spspeaks in short sentences with hesitation, but later on his speech changes into a succession of cries with excitement. In eech changes into a succession of cries with excitement. In contrast, the old man’s speech tends to be long, stable and contrast, the old man’s speech tends to be long, stable and well-developed throughout the story. Their speeches form a well-developed throughout the story. Their speeches form a sharp contrast which helps to bring out the two characters. sharp contrast which helps to bring out the two characters. The yound man is green, passionate, and hopelessly in love,The yound man is green, passionate, and hopelessly in love, while the old man is calm, sensible, and a bit satirical. It is while the old man is calm, sensible, and a bit satirical. It is by this contrast that the theme of the story is brought out mby this contrast that the theme of the story is brought out more effectively.ore effectively.

Language pointsLanguage points

Paragraph 1Paragraph 1 1. peer:1. peer: to look very carefully or with difficulty, to look very carefully or with difficulty,

especially as if not able to see clearlyespecially as if not able to see clearly She She peered overpeered over my shoulder at the computer screen my shoulder at the computer screen

and asked about the figures. C.f. peepand asked about the figures. C.f. peep

peep: to look at something quickly and secretly, peep: to look at something quickly and secretly, especially through a hole or other small openingsespecially through a hole or other small openings

e.g. Now and then she e.g. Now and then she peepedpeeped to see if he was to see if he was noticing her.noticing her.

Paragraphs 2-12Paragraphs 2-1222. make somebody’s acquaintance:. make somebody’s acquaintance: to meet somebody to meet somebody

for the first timefor the first timee.g. He made her acquaintance at a dance.e.g. He made her acquaintance at a dance.

3. 3. imperceptible:imperceptible: that cannot be noticed or felt because that cannot be noticed or felt because so small, slight or gradualso small, slight or gradual

e.g. an imperceptible change in temeraturee.g. an imperceptible change in temeratureperceive perceive vv. , perception . , perception n.n. , perceptible , perceptible a.a. , imperceptibl , imperceptibl

e e a.,a., imperceptibly imperceptibly ad.ad.

4. 4. ApprehensivelyApprehensively: full of anxiety about the future: full of anxiety about the future They looked at each other apprehensively.They looked at each other apprehensively. apprehensive apprehensive a.,a., apprehension apprehension n.n.

e.g. She was e.g. She was apprehensive about/forapprehensive about/for her son’s safety ev her son’s safety every tome he went out on his motorcycle.ery tome he went out on his motorcycle.

Students are waiting with Students are waiting with apprehension forapprehension for their final e their final examination results.xamination results.

Paragraphs 13-45Paragraphs 13-45

5. oblige5. oblige

(1)(1) do something a favor; to fulfill the wishes ofdo something a favor; to fulfill the wishes of

e.g. She asked him to lend his car, and he e.g. She asked him to lend his car, and he willingly obliged her.willingly obliged her.

I should/would be obliged if you could speak I should/would be obliged if you could speak louder.louder.

((2) to make it necessary for somebody to do 2) to make it necessary for somebody to do somethingsomething

e.g. The heavy snow e.g. The heavy snow obligedobliged me to abandon the me to abandon the car and continued on foot. car and continued on foot.

Eric felt Eric felt obligedobliged to resign after such an to resign after such an unpleasant quarrel with the vice president. unpleasant quarrel with the vice president.

6. 6. substitute:substitute: to put something or somebody to put something or somebody in place of another.in place of another.

They were expected toThey were expected to substitute substitute violence for violence for dialogue.dialogue.

to substitute A for B=to replace B with Ato substitute A for B=to replace B with A

7. 7. overwhelmoverwhelm

(1)(1) to give somebody a particular feeling very to give somebody a particular feeling very strongly.strongly.

e.g. The family of the victim was e.g. The family of the victim was overwhelmedoverwhelmed by/with grief.by/with grief.

(2)(2)  t  to make powerless by using forceo make powerless by using force

e.g. Government troopse.g. Government troops overwhelmedoverwhelmed the rebels. the rebels.

Overwhelming Overwhelming aa.: very large or very great.: very large or very great

e.g. Thee.g. The overwhelming overwhelming majority of small majority of small businesses went broke within the first twelve businesses went broke within the first twelve months.months.

8. fervently (formal8. fervently (formal) with deep sincere feelings) with deep sincere feelings

e.g. It is a cause for which we have campaigned e.g. It is a cause for which we have campaigned ferventlyfervently these past four years. these past four years.

Fervent Fervent aa., fervency ., fervency n.n.

99.. be be better off:better off: to have more money than one used to have or to have more money than one used to have or most other peoplemost other people

e.g. Mr. Cooper e.g. Mr. Cooper waswas much much better offbetter off when he got promoted, when he got promoted, and even could afford foreign travel.and even could afford foreign travel.

She’ll be 50 pounds She’ll be 50 pounds better offbetter off.. be better off doing/ to do somethingbe better off doing/ to do something: to be wiser to do : to be wiser to do

something specifiedsomething specified e.g. If you’ve got you bags you are e.g. If you’ve got you bags you are better off taking/to takebetter off taking/to take a a

taxi. taxi. be better off with somebody/somethingbe better off with somebody/something: to be happier or more : to be happier or more

at ease with somebody/somethingat ease with somebody/something e.g. You’d e.g. You’d be better off withbe better off with her as a roommate. her as a roommate.

Sentence highlightsSentence highlights

1. Alan Austen, as nervous as a kitten, went up 1. Alan Austen, as nervous as a kitten, went up certain dark and creaky stairs in the certain dark and creaky stairs in the neighborhood of Pell Street, … one of the neighborhood of Pell Street, … one of the doors. (Para. 1)doors. (Para. 1)

Paraphrase:Paraphrase:

2. For indifference,… they substitute devotion. 2. For indifference,… they substitute devotion. For scorn, adoration. Give one tiney measure oFor scorn, adoration. Give one tiney measure of this to the young lady- its flavour is impercepf this to the young lady- its flavour is imperceptible in orange juice, soup or cocktails-and hotible in orange juice, soup or cocktails-and however gay and giddy she is, she will change altwever gay and giddy she is, she will change altogether. She will want nothing bu tsolitude anogether. She will want nothing bu tsolitude and you. (para.23)d you. (para.23)

Paraphrase:Paraphrase:

Language AppreciationLanguage Appreciation

1. He pushed open this door, as he had been t1. He pushed open this door, as he had been told to do, and found himself in a tiny room, old to do, and found himself in a tiny room, which contained no furniture but a plain kitcwhich contained no furniture but a plain kitchen table, a rocking chair, and an ordinary chhen table, a rocking chair, and an ordinary chair. On one of the dirty, buff-coloured walls air. On one of the dirty, buff-coloured walls were a couple of shelves, containing in all pewere a couple of shelves, containing in all perhaps a dozen bottles and jars. (Para.2)rhaps a dozen bottles and jars. (Para.2)

This short description of the house depicts a glooThis short description of the house depicts a gloomy atmosphere my atmosphere

2) a. “Do you mean it is a poison?” cried Alan, very much horrifed.2) a. “Do you mean it is a poison?” cried Alan, very much horrifed. ““Call it a glove-cleaner if you like,” said the old man indifferently. “… Call it a glove-cleaner if you like,” said the old man indifferently. “…

Lives need cleaning sometimes.”Lives need cleaning sometimes.” …… “ “ I hope all your mixtures are not as expensive,” said Alan apprehensiveI hope all your mixtures are not as expensive,” said Alan apprehensive

ly.ly. ……(Paras. 8-17)(Paras. 8-17) ““Wonderful!” cried Alan. (Para. 30)Wonderful!” cried Alan. (Para. 30) ““That is love!” cried Alan. (Para. 32)That is love!” cried Alan. (Para. 32) “ “I can hardly imagine Diana like that!” cried Alan, overwhelmed with jI can hardly imagine Diana like that!” cried Alan, overwhelmed with j

oy. (Para.34)oy. (Para.34) ““That will not happen,” said Alan fervently.That will not happen,” said Alan fervently.

Note the italicized words. They all reveal the emotional change of Alan; Note the italicized words. They all reveal the emotional change of Alan;

b. “How carefully she will look after you! She b. “How carefully she will look after you! She will never allow you to be tired, to sit in a will never allow you to be tired, to sit in a draught, to neglect your food. If you are an draught, to neglect your food. If you are an hour late, she will be terrified. She will think hour late, she will be terrified. She will think you are killed, or that some siren has caught you are killed, or that some siren has caught you.”you.” The remark of the old man fully reveals the kind of The remark of the old man fully reveals the kind of

love longed for by Alan and many other young love longed for by Alan and many other young people. people.

Grammar pointsGrammar points

Nominal ClausesNominal Clauses Nominal clause are clauses that are used as Nominal clause are clauses that are used as

nouns in a sentence.nouns in a sentence. e.g. My failure to pass the exam has brought e.g. My failure to pass the exam has brought

an earthquake to my family.an earthquake to my family. What made her so angry is now still a mystery.What made her so angry is now still a mystery. That she was chosen as the monitor made us That she was chosen as the monitor made us

happy.happy.

InversionInversion I. Inversion of predicativeI. Inversion of predicative

An expensive thing it wAn expensive thing it was.as. II. Inversion of objectII. Inversion of object

This conception of a hollow earth we knowThis conception of a hollow earth we know to be to be falsefalse. .

III. Inversion of adverbialIII. Inversion of adverbial At the corner stood At the corner stood a drug store, brilliant with a drug store, brilliant with

electric lights.electric lights.

Comprehensive questions of Text IIComprehensive questions of Text II

1. How was the hero vastly different from his roomm1. How was the hero vastly different from his roommate Petey Burch?ate Petey Burch? The hero was a highly intelligent man as his brain was extrThe hero was a highly intelligent man as his brain was extr

emely powerful, precise and penetrating while Petey Burch emely powerful, precise and penetrating while Petey Burch was a very dumb man as he was emotional, unstable, imprewas a very dumb man as he was emotional, unstable, impressionable and, worst of all, crazy about the fashion.ssionable and, worst of all, crazy about the fashion.

2. Why did the hero love Polly Espy?2. Why did the hero love Polly Espy? She was a beautiful and gracious girl, almost the right kind She was a beautiful and gracious girl, almost the right kind

of wife in promoting a lawyer’s career, which was what he of wife in promoting a lawyer’s career, which was what he desired to pursue as his profession in the future, despite the desired to pursue as his profession in the future, despite the fact that she was not intelligent enough, but he was determifact that she was not intelligent enough, but he was determined that she would become smart under his guidence.ned that she would become smart under his guidence.

3. What happened and how did the hero feel when he wasw w3. What happened and how did the hero feel when he wasw working hard to get the girl’s mind up to the standard he requireorking hard to get the girl’s mind up to the standard he required?d? The girl constantly missed the point in his instructions and made a lot oThe girl constantly missed the point in his instructions and made a lot o

f silly mistakes. He felt disappointed and vaguely felt that this project hf silly mistakes. He felt disappointed and vaguely felt that this project had no hope of success. A wave of despair swept over him and he almosad no hope of success. A wave of despair swept over him and he almost concluded that he would not possible instill logic into her mind.t concluded that he would not possible instill logic into her mind.

4. What happened when the hero believed that he should proce4. What happened when the hero believed that he should proceed to shift the focus of smartening the girl up to fostering the ed to shift the focus of smartening the girl up to fostering the mutual love between them?mutual love between them? When he tried various menas to suggest a knid of intimate relationship When he tried various menas to suggest a knid of intimate relationship

between them, the girl refuted him by pointing out different fallacies ibetween them, the girl refuted him by pointing out different fallacies in his logic. He felt very much dismayed as very fallacy the girl pointed n his logic. He felt very much dismayed as very fallacy the girl pointed out was what he had just tried to make the girl recognize while he was tout was what he had just tried to make the girl recognize while he was teaching her how to be smart.eaching her how to be smart.

5. What have you learnt from the text?5. What have you learnt from the text? One of the very important lessons contained in the One of the very important lessons contained in the

text is that one should not be too calculated in evertext is that one should not be too calculated in everything, particularly in love which is th eresult of naything, particularly in love which is th eresult of natural affection developed over a long period of timtural affection developed over a long period of time.e.