Lesson one The Middle Eastern Bazaar一．Background information二．Brief overview and writing styleThis text is a piece of description. In this article, the author describes a vivid and live scene of noisy hilarity of the Middle Eastern Bazaar to readers. At first, he describes the general atmosphere of the bazaar. The entrance of the bazaar is aged and noisy. However, as one goes through the bazaar, the noise the entrance fades away. One of the peculiarities of the Eastern bazaar is that shopkeepers dealing in the same kind of goods gather in the same area. Then the author introduces some strategies for bargaining with the seller in the bazaar which are quite useful. After that he describes some impressive specific market of the bazaar particularly including the copper-smiths market, the carpet-market, the spice-market, the food-market, the dye-market, the pottery-market and the carpenter’s market which honeycomb the bazaar. The typical animal in desert----camels----can also attract attention by their disdainful expressions. To the author the most unforgettable thing in the bazaar is the place where people make linseed oil. Hence he describes this complicated course with great details.The author’s vivid and splendid description takes readers back to hundreds of thousands of years age to the aged middle eastern bazaar, which gives the article an obvious diachronic and spatial sense. The appeal to readers’ visual and hearing sense throughout the description is also a marked feature of this piece of writing.In short, being a Westerner, the author views the oriental culture and civilization as old and backward but interesting and fantastic. Through careful observation and detailed comparison, the author depicts some new and original peculiarities of the Middle Eastern bazaar which are unique and distinguished.三．Detailed study of the textParagraph 1 the general atmosphere of the bazaar1. The Middle Eastern bazaar takes you back…of years:1) Middle East: generally referring to the area from Afghanistan to Egypt, including the ArabianPeninsula, Cyprus, and Asiatic Turkey.2) A bazaar is an oriental market-place where a variety of goods is sold. The word perhaps comesbazar.（中东和印度等的）集市，市场stones were aged and the economy was a handicraft economy which no longer existed in the West.2. The one I am thinking of particularly is entered…:1) is entered..: The present tense used here is called “historical present(历史现在时)”. It is usedfor vividness.2) Gothic: of a style of building in Western Europe between the 12th and 16th centuries, withpointed arches , arched roofs, tall thin pillars, and stained glass windows.3) aged: having existed long; very old3. You pass from the heat and glare of a big open square into a cool, dark cavern…:1) Here “the heat”is contrasted with “cool”, “glare”with “dark”, and “open square”with“cavern”.2) glare: strong, fierce, unpleasant light, not so agreeable and welcome as “bright sunlight”.强光，耀眼的光3) “cavern” here does not really mean a cave or an underground chamber. From the text we cansee it is a long, narrow, dark street of workshops and shops with some sort of a roof over them.is most disagreeable. But when you enter the gateway, you come to a long, narrow, dark street with some sort of a roof over it and it is cool inside.4. which extends as far as the eye can see:The word eye and ear are used in the singular not to mean the concrete organ of sight or hearing but something abstract; they are often used figuratively. Here the eye means man’s power of seeing or eyesight. E.g.1)She has an eye for beauty.2)The boy has a sharp eye.3)To turn a blind eye / a deaf ear to sth or sb.4)His words are unpleasant to the ear.5. losing itself in the shadowy distance…: shadowy suggests shifting illumination and distinct. E.g.A zig-zag path loses itself in the shadowy distance of the woods.（一条蜿蜒的小路隐没在树荫深处。

）6. Little donkeys …entering and leaving the bazaar:1) thread their way: the donkeys went in and out among the people and from one side to another.2) The word “entering” and “leaving” go with the word “throngs” which differs from “crowd” inthat it carries a stringer implication of movement and of pushing and a weaker implication of density.7. The roadway is about … of every conceivable kind are sold.1) roadway: the middle part of a road where vehicles drive摊位，售货亭8. The din …and makes you dizzy:1) din: loud, confused noise that continues 持续的嘈杂声2) The noun “din” is followed by three “of” phrases, thus a parallelism.3) The expression “crying one’s ware” is now considered old fashioned.Wares: rather literary, meaning articles for sale, usu. not in a shop.4）clear a way: to remove from (as a space) all that occupies or encumbers, or that impedes or restricts use, passage or action5… continues without interruption and makes you feel Paragraph 2 the sepulchral atmosphere of the cloth-market1.Then as you penetrate … muted cloth-market.1)penetrate: to pierce or pass into or through. The word is used here to indicate that you have topass through a big crowd in order to go deeper into the market.进入或穿过，透过2)Fade away: go slowly out of hearing, gradually disappear3)Muted: it is muted because the earthen floor deadens the sound of footsteps and people in themarket speak in low, soft tones.2.The earthen floor… any sounds to echo:1)earthen: made of earth2)beaten hard by countless feet: flattened by treading; which becomes flat and hard because it ismuch traveled3)deaden: to lessen or dull the sound of (footstep)4)the vaulted mud-brick walls and roof: Moslem style of architecture3.the shopkeepers speak in slow … follow suit.1)measured: steady, slow and deliberate; rhythmical2)sepulchral: [si p lk rl] Suggestive of the grave of burial; dismal, gloomy暗示着埋葬的;阴沉忧郁的3)follow suit: to do the same as someone else has done4)The buyers overcome by the grave-like atmosphere, also speak in slow, measured tones. Paragraph 3 shopkeepers dealing in the same kind of goods gather in the same area1.One of the peculiarities … persecution:1)peculiarities: characteristics2)collect: come together; gather3)knit: unite firmly and closely协会，行会paraphrase Shopkeepers dealing in the same kind of goods usually scatter themselves over the and prices.) But in the Middle Eastern Bazaar they come together in the same area in order to form a closely-knit guild against injustice or persecution (coming from, perhaps, the tax collectors and government officials).2.each open-fronted shop … for storage:1)open-fronted shop: the goods are displayed at the front of the shop, without any window ordoorway blocking the view.2) a trestle table for display: One displays anything that one spreads out for others to view or putsin a position where it can be seen to advantage or with great clearness so as to strike the eye.（放置木板、桌面、坐板等的）支架3.Bargaining is the order of the day: bargaining is the normal way of doing things(the) order of the day: that which is of the greatest general interest at a particular time；prevailing state of things, e.g.They failed to act since confusion was the order of the day at the headquarters.His period was a building age, when competition was the order of the day.4.veiled women … beating the price down:1)veiled women: according to Moslem custom women have to wear veils when they go out.2)to price: (colloquial) to ask the price of, e.g.3)narrow down their choice: reduce the number of their choice4)beat down: bargain with (seller), causing seller to lower (price)Paragraph 4 some strategies for bargaining with the seller1.It is a point of honor … the last moment.1) a point of honor: something considered important for one’s self-respect(指关系到面子和自尊的重要事情)2)what it is: “what it is” means “which (thing) in particular”. The word “it is” are added to showemphasis.2.yield little: refuse to reduce the price by any significant amount3.The seller … makes a point of protesting that …:1)protesting: insisting, affirming strongly2)to make a point of doing sth: regard or treat it as necessary, e.g.Paraphrase The seller thinks it is necessary for him to declare that the price he is asking makes itimpossible for him to gain any profit.4.he is sacrificing this …regard for the customer: He is selling the thing at less than its costbecause he respects the customer.5.with customers coming and going at intervals: the customer bargains for some time, then leaves(hoping to frighten the seller that he might lose the customer) and comes back again after a period of time and carries on the bargaining.Paragraph 5 detailed description of the copper-smith’s market1.One of the most … copper-smiths’ market:1）picturesque: striking, vivid2）impressive: deeply impressing mind or senses, esp. so as to cause approval or admiration2.As you approach it … on your ear.:1)tinkling: a succession of light, ringing sounds (e.g. of a small bell)2)banging: hit violently, to make a loud noise （e.g. to bang a door）3)clashing: make a loud, broken, confused noise (as when metal objects strike together) (e.g.swords clash, the clashing of cymbals4)impinge (on): have an effect (on); strike3.It grows louder and more distinct:1)it: the tinkling and banging and clashing2)distinct: not only clear, but easily heard, clearly marked, distinguished apart from other sounds 4.until you round a corner … lamps and braziers:1)round: make a turn about2)dancing flashes: quick bright lights moving up and downThe dancing flashes are reflections of the (unsteady) lights from the lamps and5.hammering away at copper vessels of all shapes and sizes: away means continuously, constantlye.g.working, laughing, muttering away6.take a hand (in sth): help, play a part (in sth) e.g.Don’t fool around, come and take a hand in the cleaning.7.the red of the live coals … to the strokes of the bellows:1)live: adj. burning or glowinga live bomb (unexploded)It was a live broadcast, not a recording.2)red: here it refers to the red light ( of the burning coals)；as an accompaniment forand dim as the coals burn Paragraph 6 different styles of the household utensils1. Here you can find … and strictly functional:1) intricate: a specific word, meaning the design are of interwinding or interlacing parts“ ornamental”Here you can find beautiful pots and bowls with fine, complicated and traditional not have any decoration on them and are strictly designed to serve useful purposes.Paragraph 7 about the carpet-market, the spice-market, the food-market, the dye-market, the pottery-market1. Elsewhere … and yet harmonious:1) profusion: plenty; great or too great amount2) rich: (color) deep, strong and beautiful3) varied: it implies more than “different”; it stresses the idea of full of changes of variety, having numerous forms or types4) texture: arrangement of threads etc. in textile fabric, characteristic feel due to thisare very complicated, showing all the details yet having all the different parts combined in a pleasing and satisfactory arrangement.2. exotic smells: Exotic means not only foreign, but also out of the ordinary, strikingly or excitingly different or unusual. It is used to describe something which is very pleasing either to the mind or sense.3. “sumptuous dinner” is contrasted with “humble meal”. Sumptuous: rich and costly, suggesting lavish expenditure e.g. a ~ banquet, furnishingHumble: (of things) poor, mean4.in the maze … honeycomb this bazaar:1)maze: a set of intricate windings5.every here and there: every now and again; at one place or another6. a doorway gives a glimpse of a sunlit courtyard:1)glimpse: a quick, imperfect view of sth2) Now and again through a doorway you’ll be able to catch a brief view of a sunlit courtyard.7. where camels lie … beside them:’s notice; treat with scornParagraph 8 the making of linseed oil1. It is a vast somber cavern of a room: a room that is like a vast somber cavern1) The use of implied comparison and the noun “cavern” instead of the adj.“cavernous” makes the description more vivid. E.g.He was a tyrant of a landlord.They lived in a palace ( match-box) of a house.Before him stood a little shrimp of a fellow.2)somber: partially deprived of light or brightness; dark; gloomy2. dim: lack of clarity of outline or physical things or mental ones3. a huge pole compare with a vast cavernHuge commonly suggests immensity of bulk. E.g. a huge mass of eartha huge leather bellowVast suggests immensity of extent. E.g. a vast expanse of the skyChina is a populous country with a vast territory.When used figuratively, huge stresses the greatness of a person’s (or thing’s) capacity. Vast stresses a thing’s range, scope or variety, as well as extent. E.g.a huge eater a vast knowledge, interests4. a blind-folded camel… walks constantly in a circle:1) blind-folded: with eyes bandaged2) constantly means continuously, stressing firmness, steadiness and devotionEndlessly stresses weariness and tediousness and monotony.5. which is then pressed to extract the oil: extract means obtain from a substance by any chemical or mechanical operation, as by pressure, distillation,etc.6.in superb condition … muscular, massive and stately.1)superb: (colloq.) of very high quality, excellent2)muscular: having well-developed muscles; strong, suggestive of great physical strength肌肉发达的，强健的3)massive: large and imposing or impressive大而重的4)stately: the camel walks in a slow, deliberate and dignified pace, hence stately庄严的paragraph 9 how to extract oil1. The pressing … and their stone wheels:1) ramshackle: shaky, unsteady; likely to go to pieces, as from age or neglect2) apparatus: an integrated assembly of tools, instrument etc, used for a specific purpose3) Note the use of tower and dwarf and the mental picture the author wants to create.tower: reach high (above or over surroundings)dwarf: make look small by contrast or distance2. The machine is operated by one man:The stress is on one, meaning not two or three men. If it is a man, then the stress is on man, meaning not a woman or a boy.3. who shovels … in motion:1)nimble: moving or acting quickly and lightly; light and quick in motion敏捷的2) a dizzy height: so high that it causes giddiness; that it makes people have a kind of whirlingsensation3)throw one’s weight on to : use all one’s strength to press down4)set … in motion: get … going; get … operating4. Ancient girders（大梁，主梁）creak and groan … a used petrol can:1)ancient: not only old, but also old-fashioned and antiquated2)creak: (make a ) sound like that of an unoiled door-hinge, or badly-fitting floorboards whentrodden on3)groan: (make a) sound like that caused by the movement of wood or metal parts heavily loaded4)trickle: a slow, small flow ( of liquid)5)ooze: give forth steadily (moisture)6)runnel: a small channel7)used: no longer new; second-hand5. quickly the trickle …. And sighs of the camels:1)glisten: (esp. of wet or polished surface, tear-filled eyes) shine brightly, sparkle2)Compare: dancing flashes vs. live coal glowing brightFlash : sudden and transient outburst of flame or lightGlow: send out brightness or warmth without flamee.g. a flash of lightning (fig.) a flash of wit; hope; inspiration3) taut and protesting: The ropes are drawn tight and the ancient girders creak and groan.4) its creaks: “its” stands for the overhead apparatus or the beam5) squeaking: making short, deep, rough sound like that of a hog6) rumble: (make a ) deep, heavy continuous sound7) grunt: a high-pitched, nasal-sounding cryLesson Two Hiroshima — the “Liveliest” City in JapanWriting styleThis text is a piece of narration, the telling of a story. A good narration has a beginning, a middle and an end. In a narrative writing, the actions or the incidents, events are generally presented in order of their occurrence, following the natural time sequence of the happenings, that is, in chronological order. But it can also start in the middle or at some other point in the action and move backward to the earlier happenings. This is called flashback.There are three basic components of a narration:Plot: the frame of the writing, which consists of a series of events. There are usu. one or several climaxes, the highest point of the story, with suspensions, conflicts, to arouse the interest of the audience. After the climax is reached, the story quickly moves to a conclusion.Characters: the leading character is called the hero or protagonist.Background: the time and place of the storyThe plot usually dominates narration, however, some narratives focus on character or theme or atmosphere.This text takes the changes of the author’s thoughts and feelings as the order of the whole excerpt. The author tells us his experience of his journey in Hiroshima and what he has seen and felt and understood there. The most-used pattern of narration is narrating and describing. Apart from the main clue of the author’s thoughts and feelings, he also spices this piece with some typical description of the characteristics of the Japanese nation, and at the same time he emphasizes the co-existence and struggle of the Eastern and Western culture. As the comment in the narration is always its golden-stone which directly gives opinion and judgment of the narrated content, this text is no exception. At the end of this excerpt, the author makes some comments which echo with the title, thus makes the whole passage a smooth and natural entirety.Structural AnalysisPart I: (para 1.) The ArrivalPart II: (para 2-7) Way to City HallPart III: (para 8-28) Meeting the MayorPart IV: (para 29-end) At the HospitalDetailed study of the textParagraph 11.Hiroshima—the “Liveliest”City in Japan: The word “liveliest”is put in quotation marks toshow that this is what the city is said to be and the writer perhaps considers it ironic to use the word “liveliest” to describe a city that had been atomized.2.“Hiroshima! Everybody off!”Everybody should now get off the train. These words werechanted by the stationmaster to inform the passengers that the train had arrived at its terminal destination and all passengers were to detrain.3.That must be … slipped to a stop in Hiroshima Station:1)Must here expresses strong probability as the author did not understand Japanese and couldnot have been sure.2)slipped to a stop: came to a stop smoothly and effortlessly, in a gliding mannerCf. slide, slip, glide, coastSlide implies accelerated motion without loosing contact with the slippery surface. 滑动，暗含加速地在光滑的表面上滑行the drops sliding from a lifted oar(Theodore Roethke).“水滴从抬起的桨上滑下来”（西奥多·勒特克）Slip often suggests involuntary rather than voluntary, sometimes even definitely implying a loss of footing and a fall. 无意中，不知不觉地滑动而不是自发地移动，有时表示因为失足而跌倒He slipped on a patch of ice and sprained his ankle.他在一块冰上滑了一跤，扭伤了脚踝。