Going Home

1. Lesson Two Going Home Pete Hamill

2. Lesson Two Part One: Warm-upPart Two:Background InformationPart Three: Text Appreciation (Key Points)Part Four: Language Study (Difficult Points)Part Five: Resource Extension W B T L E

3. Part One Warm-up I. Warm-up questions

4. I. Warm-up questions 1. When you feel frustrated what do you want to do? where do you want to go? 2. Do you think going home is magic?

5. I. Warm-up questions 3. What do you think Vingo had done that got him in prison? 4. What kind of person do you think his wife was? Why didn't she write to Vingo?

6. Part Two Background Information • Author • Florida • New Jersey • New York • Georgia

7. Author Pete Hamill was born in Brooklyn, N. Y. in 1935. He attended Mexico City College in 1956—1957, studying painting and writing. He has been a columnist for the New York Post, the Daily News, and New York Newsday, and has won many journalistic awards.

8. II. Florida: the "Sunshine State" (FL) 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. Major attractions include Disney World, Miami Beach, the Everglades National Park and the Florida Keys.

9. III. New Jersey : the "Garden State" (NJ) 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 City is one of the most well-known resorts.

10. IV. New York: the "Empire State" (NY ) The Dutch were the first settlers in New York. After the English took it over in the 1660s, the colony was renamed New York, after the Duke of York. The state includes everything from skyscrapers in Manhattan to rivers, mountains, and lakes in upstate New York. Niagara Falls is one of the chief attractions.

11. V.Georgia:the "Empire State of the South" (GA) Georgia, founded in 1732,is one of the original 13states. It was named in honor of England's KingGeorge II. Georgia is thelargest state east of theMississippi;the state's largesize and thriving industrieshave given it one of its nicknames, the Empire Stateof the South.

12. Part ThreeText Appreciation • Text Analysis • 1.General Analysis • 2.Theme • 3.Structure • 4.Further Discussion • II.Writing Devices • 1.Syntactic Devices • 2.Simile • 3.Alliteration • 4.Symbolism • III.Sentence Paraphrase

13. Text Analysis Main idea: an ex-con on his way home Setting: on a bus from New York to Florida Protagonists: Vingo

14. Text Analysis • Theme • The ability to forgive andforget is important in all human relationships. • 2.Mutual care and affection among people, esp. among strangers are important, too.

15. Text AnalysisStructure of the Text The introduction of the setting and the characters Part 1 (paras. 1— ) : Part 2 (paras. ) : Part 3 (paras. ) : 4 Vingo's story of going home and the young people's interest in it 5—9 The surprisingly big welcome Vingo received 10—12

16. I. Text Analysis • Mutual care and love strangers: mutual care and synpathy husband and wife: forgiveness and love

17. I. Text AnalysisCharacter Analysis main character:Vingo, shy,silent, nervous,worried… minor characters: six young people, active, talkative,happy,considerate… hidden character: Vingo's wife, wonderful,kind-hearted,broad-minded…

18. Text AnalysisPlot Analysis the beginning: (Paras. 1—4) Vingo was sitting quietly on a bus. His silence and stillness posed a striking contrast to the liveliness and hilarity of the young people behind him. He became the center of our interest. This opening scene creates a mystery about the protagonist, making us look forward to something more.

19. Text AnalysisPlot Analysis The exposition of the essential matter is managed by flashbacks (the confession of the protagonist). the middle: (Paras. 5—10) One of the girls tried to draw Vingo out. Vingo began to relate his story. Who he was, where he was going and what this journey was for, all the mysteries about the protagonist were gradually revealed. As the plot evolves it arouses our expectations about what will happen to Vingo. Will he be forgiven or will he go on his journey? We readers are kept in suspense. Our interest is still held by the development of the plot.

20. Text AnalysisPlot Analysis Finally the mystery is solved and the suspense is removed. We should say the plot is successfully complete. the end: (Paras. 11—12) When the bus was approaching the expected great oak tree, Vingo was surprised to see hundreds of yellow ribbons blowing and billowing in the wind. He happily knew he was finally forgiven and welcomed home. The resolution, the outcome of the plot, turns out to be a pleasant surprise. We feel satisfied. The plot ends happily and the intended emotional effects are thus achieved.

21. Text AnalysisConflict Analysis Plot usually deals with a conflict. What is the conflict of the story? The conflict lies in the inner struggle of the protagonist. On the one hand, Vingo was anxious to go home, to see the old oak tree. But on the other hand, he was afraid to do so for fear that his wife wouldn't forgive him. That would be too much for him to bear if the case turned out to be so. That's why he was silent, nervous and "chewing the inside of his lip a lot".

22. Text AnalysisConflict Analysis Comparison and contrast are used here in portraying this conflict. • As the plot evolved, the conflict became all the more conspicuous and heart-gripping. The bus was first 20 miles from his home, then 10 miles, and then 5 miles… Vingo "stopped looking, tightening his face into the ex-con's mask, as if fortifying himself against still another disappointment". Vingo tried hard to appear calm, but what was rolling in his heart? Nervousness and uncertainty. He had already prepared himself for a disappointment. But the other six young people were all excitedly involved in it. We readers are also kept in suspense and wondering.

23. Here comes the climax of the story. • Text AnalysisConflict Analysis The oak tree was approaching. The bus became quiet. But Vingo's heart was pounding wildly. "To go or to stay"，this long struggling and torturing question would find its answer now. Suddenly the young people burst into shouting and crying. But Vingo remained unmoved. He sat there stunned, looking at the oak tree covered with hundreds of yellow ribbons through his misty eyes. He felt relieved to know he was finally forgiven by his wife. So do our readers. The conflict ends in a pleasant surprise, bringing an immense emotional impact on us. With the settlement of the conflict, the story comes to its end. .    

24. Text Analysis Question: What can we learn from the opening paragraph? • The opening paragraph • introduce the characters of the story • (protagonist: Vingo, minor characters: three boys and three girls); • indicate the overall setting of the story • (time: spring; place: a bus from New York to Florida); • tell the event of the story • (Vingo was on the bus going somewhere); • set the tone of narration • (narrative of third person omniscient).

25. Text Analysis Question: What can be inferred from the second paragraph? This paragraph devotes much to the description of the protagonist, from his outlook to his disposition, presenting us a sketch of the protagonist's character. Vingo was rough, caring little about details. And he was reserved, keeping to himself. He smoked a lot and retreated into silence often. He was also as mysterious as his masked age. All these create an atmosphere of mystery and present us a man of story.

26. Text AnalysisDiscussion • How did the young people get to know Vingo? • What was Vingo's story? • What did Vingo say to his wife in his second letter? • How did the young people feel when they heard the story? • How did Vingo feel when the bus was approaching Brunswick?

27. Text AnalysisDiscussion • What happened as the bus passed the town? • Why do you think Vingo's wife tied so many ribbons on the tree? • What was Vingo's response to the sight of the oak tree covered with yellow ribbons? • Do you find this a touching story? Why? • What would happen after Vingo went home? Now use your imagination and continue the story.

28. Lesson 2 – Going Home • Writing DevicesSyntactic Devices To indicate the liveliness and hilarity of the young people. 1. They were dreaming of golden beaches and sea tides… 2. … the young people… waiting for the approach of the great oak tree… 3. … all of the young people… screaming and shouting and crying, doing small dances, shaking clenched fists... Question: When it comes to young people, the author tends to use a lot of present participles. What is the intended effect? To be continued on the next page.

29. Writing Devices 4. He sat in front of the young people, … dressed in a plain brown suit… 5. His finger were stained from cigarettes… 6. Vingo sat there stunned. Question: When it comes to Vingo, the author tends to use past participles. What is the intended effect?

30. Writing DevicesSimile …a tree that stood like a banner of welcome… (Para. 12) simile Simile: an explicit comparison between two things of different kind or quality, usually introduced by like or as, or other simile markers like "as if, as though, as… as, (just) as… so, similar to, bear a resemblance to", etc.

31. Lesson 2 – Going Home • Writing Devices Like March, having come in like a lion, he purposed to go out like a lamb. (C. Bronte, Shirley) Life is poetically compared to the morningdew. Just as fire tests gold, so does adversity test courage. Many retirees are couch potatoes who like popping cold beers and relaxing in front of their $2,500 wide-screen, high definition television set. Its big picture will be as rich and detailed as a 35-millimeter photograph.

32. Writing DevicesAlliteration …a tree that stood like a banner of welcome, blowing and billowing in the wind. (Para. 12) alliteration Alliteration: the use of words that begin with the same sound in order to make a special effect

33. Writing Devices Predictably the winter will be snowy, sleety and slushy. Wild Mushrooms: Mysterious-Menacing-Magnificent. Whereat with blade, with bloody, blameful blade, he bravely broach’d his boiling bloody breast. (A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream)

34. Writing DevicesSymbolism I told her if she would take me back, she would tie a yellow ribbon to the tree, and I would get off and come home. symbol Yellow ribbon symbolizes forgiveness and welcome to someone long lost.

35. Writing Devices Do you know what they symbolize? red rose balance (scale) bat owl pine tree/crane crucifix true love justice vampire (Western), luck (Chinese) wisdom/education (Western) longevity (Chinese) Christianity

36. Sentence Paraphrase 1 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. (Para. 2) absolute construction, acting as an adverbial of accompanying circumstances past participle phrase to tell more about "he" He sat in front of the young people. You could hardly tell how old he was because his face was covered with dust. go to 2

37. Sentence Paraphrase 2 • He sat in complete silence and seemed completely unaware of the existence of the others. (Para. 2) in+n.: to show a state or condition not knowing or realizing that sth. is happening or that sth. exists He sat without saying anything as if he did not know there were other people around. go to 3

38. Sentence Paraphrase 3 • You going that far? (Para. 4) • Want some wine? (Para. 4) elliptical sentences, common in conversation Are you going as far as Florida? Do you want some wine?/Would you like to have some wine? go to 4

39. Sentence Paraphrase 4 • The girl insisted that he join them. (Para. 5) demand that sth. should happen subjunctivemood, "should" is dropped out After the verbs expressing a command, decision, suggestion, such asdecide, decree, demand, insist, move, order, prefer, propose, recommend, request, require, suggest, vote, advise, determine, desire, resolve, urge, etc, in that-clause we usu. use subjunctive mood “(should) do sth.”. go to 5

40. Sentence Paraphrase 1.It was recommended that passengers ____smoke during the flight. a. not b. need not c. could not d. would not (TEM-4, 1994) keys a, d 2. Mike's uncle insists ____ in this hotel. a. staying not b. that he would not stay c. not to stay d. that he not stay (CET-4, 2001, 1) back to 4

41. Sentence Paraphrase 5 I understand if you can't stay married to me. (Para. 7) euphemism indirect way to say "divorce" If you want to divorce me, I'll understand—you have every reason to do so. go to 6

42. Sentence Paraphrase 6 • ... Soon all of them were caught up in the approach of Brunswick, looking at the pictures Vingo showed them of his wife and three children. (Para. 7) became involved in or excited at restrictive clause modifying "pictures" … all the young people became excited and deeply interested in Vingo's story and in what was going to happen at Brunswick as they were looking at the pictures… go to 7

43. Sentence Paraphrase 7 • Vingo stopped looking, tightening his face into the ex-con's mask, as if fortifying himself against still another disappointment. (Para. 10) to show a change in state gerund as object present participle phrase. Here "he was/were" is omitted after "as if". 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. go to 8

44. Sentence Paraphrase • He gave out a terrible cry, as if seeing a ghost. • Tim spoke very slowly, as if fearing to be heard. • "It is," he said quietly, as if remembering something he had tried to forget. (Para. 4) back to 7

45. Sentence Paraphrase 8 • 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. (Para. 11) present participles functioning as accompanying circumstances • great happiness 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. go to 9

46. Sentence Paraphrase • He ran up to her, breathing heavily. • The old man was fast asleep, holding a book in his hand. • Vingo sat there, looking at the oak tree through his misty eyes. (Para. 12) back to 8

47. Sentence Paraphrase 9 • Vingo sat there stunned, • looking at the oak tree through his misty eyes. (Para. 12) past participle functioning as accompanying circumstances present participle functioning as accompanying circumstances Vingo sat still; he was utterly surprised, looking at the oak tree through tearful eyes. go to 10

48. Sentence Paraphrase • I made a leisurely round of the town, fascinated by the construction going on everywhere. • He went to Beijing in that winter, disguised as a merchant. • 3. United as one,they are training hard for next year's world championship. back to 9

49. Sentence Paraphrase 10 … a tree that stood like a banner of welcome, blowing and billowing in the wind. (Para. 12) restrictive clause modifying "tree" • alliteration: rising and rolling in waves simile … a tree that looked like a banner of welcome, rising and rolling in waves in the wind.

50. Part FourLanguage Study • Word Study • Phrases and Expressions • Word Building • Grammar