The Titanic Puzzle

1. 21st Century College English: Book 3 Unit 2: Text A The Titanic Puzzle

2. Unit 2: Text A • Lead-in Activities • Text Organization • Writing and Reading Skills • Language Points • Guided Practice • Assignments The Titanic Puzzle

3. Lead-in Activities Warming-up Questions 1. For gentlemen: There are many traditional ways of showing courtesy to women — gestures like lighting their cigarettes for them or standing up when they enter a room. What other things can you think of? Name some of those you know! 2. For ladies: What do you think of the woman’s argument about everyday reality? What about you view of common courtesy?

4. Para. 1-2 Paras. 3-8 Para. 9-17 Text Organization The structure of Text A I. Presenting controversial responses to “women and children first” II. The author’s opinion versus the traditional attitude of “women and children first” III. Arguing against the point of view that women should be grouped with children to enjoy priority Ex. XIII

5. Text Organization I. Presenting controversial responses to “women and children first” A fabricated story: Titanic II is sinking and there are not enough lifeboats. The captain shouts: “Women and children first!” then a voice is heard, “Why women?”—a question indicating a negative response to the idea of woman priority. Para. 1 Reponses from the audience watching the movie Titanic show that modern people accept the idea of giving women priority. Para. 2

6. Two rhetorical questions establish the author’s strong viewpoint against the priority of women. Para.3 Selections from newspaper reports show that social practice is in favor of the priority of women. Paras. 4-7 Text Organization II. The author’s opinion versus the traditional attitude of “women and children first” Paras. 3-7 Another rhetorical question together with an analysis of the newspaper report in paragraph 7 proves the fact that there are controversial responses concerning the priority of women. Para. 8

7. Text Organization III. Arguing against the point of view that women should be grouped with children to enjoy priority First Argument Para. 9 Second Argument Para. 10-11 Third Argument Para. 12-13 Fourth Argument Para. 14-17

8. Children are entitled to the privilege of protection in time of danger with sound reasons and therefore should be separated from women. Text Organization First Argument Para. 9

9. Women today, enjoying almost every equality, have no reason for being reduced to the status of children. Text Organization Second Argument Para. 10-11

10. It is a poor and depressing reduction that women enjoy priority from evolutionary point of women being child-bearers. Text Organization Third Argument Para. 12-13

11. The point that "Women and children"is "Women for children"is likely absurd if there are no children around. Text Organization Fourth Argument Para. 14-17

12. Skill Learning in Writing and Reading 1. To get readers to think about a commonly accepted attitude the author is interested in. Start by stating what the issue is, the present a viewpoint that seems to explain it. Go on to explain why you disagree with this view. 2. To identify the writer’s purpose in reading comprehension. (The common purposes of writing are: a) to inform; b) to persuade; c) to entertain.) To identify the purpose with the help of some clues. (subject, the use of language, etc.)

13. Language Points The Titanic Puzzle Should a good feminist accept priority seating on a lifeboat? By Charles Krauthammer 1You're on the Titanic II. It has just hit an iceberg and is sinking. And, as last time, there are not enough lifeboats. The captain shouts, “Women and children first!” But this time, another voice is heard: “Why women?”

14. Language Points 2 Why, indeed? Part of the charm of the successful movie Titanic are the period costumes, the period extravagance, and the period prejudices. An audience can enjoy these at a distance. Oddly, however, of all the period attitudes in the film, the old maritime tradition of “women and children first” enjoys total acceptance by modern audiences. Listen to the audience boo at the bad guys who try to sneak on the lifeboats with — or ahead of — the ladies.

15. Language Points 3 But is not grouping women with children a raging anachronism? Should not any self-respecting modern person, let alone feminist, object to it as insulting to women? 4 Yet its usage is as common today as it was in 1912. Consider these examples taken almost at random from recent newspapers: 5 “The invaders gunned down the Indians, most of them women and children ...” 6 “As many as 200 civilians, most of them women and children, were killed ...”

16. Language Points 7 “At the massacre in Ahmici 103 Muslims, including 33 women and children, were killed ...” 8 At a time when women fly combat aircraft and run multi-national corporations, how can one not wince when adult women are routinely classed with children? In Ahmici, it seems, 70 adult men were killed. And how many adult women? Not clear. When things get serious, when blood starts to flow or ships start to sink, you'll find them with the children.

17. Language Points 9Children are entitled to special consideration for two reasons: helplessness and innocence. They have not yet acquired either the faculty of reason or the wisdom of experience. Consequently, they are defenseless (incapable of fending for themselves) and blameless (incapable of real sin). That's why we grant them special protection. In an emergency, it is our duty to save them first because they, helpless, have put their lives in our hands. And in wartime, they are supposed to be protected by special immunity because they can have threatened or offended no one.

18. Language Points 10The phrase “women and children” attributes to women the same dependence and moral simplicity we find in five-year-olds. Such an attitude perhaps made sense in an era dominated by male privilege. Given the disabilities attached to womanhood in 1912, it was only fair that a new standard of gender equality not suddenly be proclaimed just as lifeboat seats were being handed out. That deference — a somewhat more urgent variation on giving up your seat on the bus to a woman — complemented and perhaps to some extent compensated for the legal and social constraints placed on women at the time.

19. Language Points 11 But in our era of extensive social restructuring to grant women equality in education, in employment, in government, in athletics, what entitles women to the privileges — and reduces them to the status — of children? 12 Evolutionary psychologists might say that ladies-to-the-lifeboats is an instinct that developed to perpetuate the species: Women are indispensable child-bearers. You can repopulate a village if the women survive and only a few of the men, but not if the men survive and only a few of the women. Women being more precious, biologically speaking, than men, evolution has conditioned us to give them the kind of life-protecting deference we give to that other seed of the future: kids.

20. Language Points 13 The problem with this kind of logic, however, is its depressing reductionism. It's like a serious version of the geneticist's old joke that a chicken is just an egg's way of making another egg. But humans are more than just egg-layers. And traditional courtesies are more than just disguised survival strategies. So why do we say “women and children”? 14 Perhaps it's really “women for children.” The most basic parental bond is maternal. Equal parenting is great, but women, from breast to cradle to reassuring hug, can nurture in ways that men cannot. And thus, because we value children, women should go second. The children need them.

21. Language Points 15But kiddie-centrism gets you only so far. What if there are no children on board? You are on the Titanic III, and this time it's a singles cruise. No kids, no parents. Now: Iceberg! Lifeboats! Action! 16 Here's my scenario. The men, out of sheer irrational heroism, should let the women go first. And the women, out of sheer feminist self-respect, should refuse. 17 Result? Stalemate. How does this movie end? How should it end? Hurry, the ship's going down.

22. You're on the Titanic II. Paraphrase ? Key — Suppose you find yourself in a similar situation to that of the Titanic. More to learn

23. At 2:20 AM on April 15, 1912, the Titanic, then the world's largest and most luxurious ocean liner, disappeared into the icy depths of the North Atlantic. With her she took the lives of some 1,500 men, women, and children — more casualties than in any other marine disaster in peacetime history. Many movies were shot about this event, but the one that came out in 1998 was the biggest hit. Text-related information the Titanic II

24. the period costumes, the period extravagance, and the period prejudices Paraphrasing ? Key — the costumes, the extravagance, and the prejudices of that time in history More to learn

25. the period costumes, the period extravagance, and the period prejudices period a. — typical of an earlier time in history, either dating from that time or deliberately made in the style of that time • Examples • period furniture • a period cottage

26. at / fromadistance — from a place that is not very close; a long time after sth. happened • Examples • It's wise to stay at a distance from the cobras. • Some people are more respectable if admired from a distance. • Remembering the disaster at a distance, I now feel sure that it was not his fault.

27. Should not any self-respecting modern person, let alonefeminist, object to it as insulting to women? let alone — (to indicate that a particular situation is even less likely or possible) not to mention; without considering • Examples • I was too tired to walk,let alone running. • There wasn't enough room for us, let alone three dogs and two cats. More to learn

28. Should not any self-respecting modern person, let alonefeminist, object to it as insulting to women? object to — oppose; be against • Examples • The embassy objects to their requests to take refuge there. • Professor Hawking objects to being treated like someone special.

29. usagen. — the way sth. is used; the way words are used in a language Note: Usage is different from use in that it often implies the degree to which something is used or the way in which it is used. • Examples • The manual describes the proper usage of the appliance. • The expression has come into common usage. • the environmental effects of energy usage • Sports equipment is designed to withstand hard usage.

30. wincevi. — suddenly and briefly show pain in one's facial expression (因疼痛、惊吓等)本能地退缩，畏缩；皱眉蹙眼 • Examples • David winced when the dentist touched his sore tooth. • It makes me wince even thinking about eye operation.

31. Children are entitled to special consideration be entitled to (do) sth. — be given the right to have or do (sth.) • Examples • You are entitled to high praise for handling this difficult situation successfully all alone. • I'm entitled to know how my own money is being spent.

32. facultyn. 1. any of the powers of the body or mind; a particular ability for doing sth. 才能；能力；天赋 2. all the teachers and workers of a university or college (高等院校的)全体教师及职工 • Examples • Even at the age of 100, she still had all her faculties. • Mary has a remarkable faculty for adding large numbers in her head. • Jane is a member of the faculty at the local university.

33. immunityn. 1. protection or freedom (from sth.) 受保护；豁免(权) 2. ability to resist infection, disease, etc. 免疫力 • Examples • He was told that he would be granted immunityfrom prosecution (起诉) if he confessed the names of the other spies. • diplomatic immunity(外交豁免权) • Most people have no immunity against that virus.

34. threatenvt. 1. make a threat against (sb.) 威胁，恐吓 2. give a warning (of sth. bad) 预示 • Examples • They threatened their son with punishment. • The dark clouds threaten a storm.

35. The phrase “women and children” attributes to women the same dependence and moral simplicity we find in five-year-olds. dependence and moral simplicity — another way of saying “helplessness and innocence” Paraphrase ? • Key: • By classing women with children, we think that women are as helpless and innocent as little kids. More to learn

36. The phrase “women and children” attributes to women the same dependence and moral simplicity we find in five-year-olds. attribute (a quality, feature, etc.) to sb./sth. — say or think that sb./sth. has got (that quality, feature, etc.) • Examples • He tends to attribute mean motives to other people. • I wouldn't dream of attributing such a lack of judgment to you.

37. given — prep. considering 考虑到 a. 1. 规定的，特定的；2. 假设的；已知的 • Examples • Given their inexperience, they've done a good job. • Given (the fact) that she is interested in children, I am sure teaching is the right career for her. • The work must be done within the given time. • under a given condition • The given radius (半径) being 4 ft., find the circumference (周长). More to learn

38. given — used as a preposition • Examples • Given his age, he is a remarkable fast runner. • I'm sure teaching is the right career for her, given (the fact) that she is interested in children. • She could have done just as well as you have, given the chance. • Given imagination, anything is possible. The wordgivencan be used as a preposition followed by a noun phrase or noun clause. If you say given something or given that something is true, you mean what is mentioned is considered or is taken into account. In formal English,giventhe chance, given the opportunity, etc. mean if one has the chance, the opportunity, etc. More to learn

39. given Complete the following sentences by translating the Chinese into English, using given clauses appropriately.(Ex. VIII, p. 208) 1. _______________(鉴于政府在失业问题上的记录), their chances of winning the election look poor. 2. _____________(鉴于儿童不能自立，不能自卫), adults are responsible for granting them special protection.  Given the government's record on unemployment Given children's helplessness and defenselessness More to learn

40. given Complete the following sentences by translating the Chinese into English, using given clauses appropriately.(Ex. VIII, p. 208) • ________________(如果天气好的话), our ship will reach Yantai tomorrow morning. • 4. ___________(鉴于免疫力弱), children and old people are advised not to stay in an air-conditioned room for too long.  Given good weather Given poor immunity More to learn

41. given Complete the following sentences by translating the Chinese into English, using given clauses appropriately.(Ex. VIII, p. 208) 5. _______________(鉴于女权主义者已为男女平等斗争了多年), it is not surprising to find such new words as chairperson and Ms. in widespread use. 6. (如果再给我一次读大学的机会), I would choose to study engineering rather than mathematics. Given that feminists have been fighting for gender/sexual equality for years Given one more chance to go to college More to learn

42. Grammar Focus • Use of the present participle in the absolute construction • The adverbial present participle phrase has no overt subject and its "understood subject" provides a link with the main clause, while the absolute construction using the present participle has its own logical subject and is not overtly bound to the main clause, even on a semantic level, by any shared element. In grammatical functions, however, the two forms are similar. • Examples: • No further discussions arising, the meeting was brought to a close. • Weather permitting, we’ll start tomorrow.

43. attach(to) vt. — 1. consider that sb. has a certain quality 2. fasten or join • Examples • The panel of scientists attaches great importance to his research on genes. • Chinese movies used to attach every good quality to a hero. • A label is attached to each piece of luggage. • Bill attached a big bow (蝴蝶结) to the birthday present.

44. …, it was only fair that a new standard of gender equality not suddenly be proclaimed just as life boat seats were being handed out. • Examples • The job is open to any suitably qualified person regardless of age, gender or race. • Sociologists believe that gender differences in voting will gradually disappear as women become more politicized. • In German, the gender of the word "Hund", meaning "dog" , is masculine (阳性的). gender equality = sex equality n. 1. (生理上的)性；2. (名词、代词等的)性 — Gender means sex but is especially used in job advertisements, in writing about politics and society, as well as in grammar, while sex is a general word. More to learn

45. …, it was only fair that a new standard of gender equality not suddenly be proclaimed just as life boat seats were being handed out. proclaimvt. — make known officially or publicly; declare Note:Proclaim implies a clear, forceful, authoritative oral declaring of something, often of national importance. • Examples • The president proclaimed a day of mourning. • The American colonies proclaimed their independence in 1776. More to learn

46. …, it was only fair that a new standard of gender equality not suddenly be proclaimed just as life boat seats were being handed out. hand out — distribute分发, 散发 • Examples • Make a list of names, see if they're all present, and hand out the books. • Would you hand the cake out while I pour the coffee? More to learn

47. …, it was only fair that a new standard of gender equality not suddenly be proclaimed just as life boat seats were being handed out. Paraphrase ? • Key • …, the traditional gender inequality should naturally continue at that critical moment when the ship was sinking — it was fair that women should have been given seats on the lifeboats first.

48. That deference — a somewhat more urgent variation on giving up your seat on the bus to a woman — complemented and perhaps to some extent compensated for the legal and social constraints placed on women at the time. variationn. — (on) one in a group or set which is different in some way from the normal or most common • Examples • His books are all variations on a basic theme. • It was the same TV programme with only nightly variations. More to learn

49. That deference — a somewhat more urgent variation on giving up your seat on the bus to a woman — complemented and perhaps to some extent compensated for the legal and social constraints placed on women at the time. Paraphrase ? • Key • That respect for women (i.e. offering priority seating on a lifeboat) was very similar to, but somewhat more urgent than, offering your seat to a woman on the bus. This helped to improve, and perhaps more or less made up for the disabilities attached to womanhood (para.10) by law and by society at that time.

50. ..., what entitles women to the privileges — and reduces them to the status — of children? reduce sb. to — bring sb. to (a specified, usu. worse, state or condition) • Examples • We were reduced to selling the car to pay the rent. • He ran out of cigarettes and was reduced to smoking the butts left in the ashtrays. More to learn