American Dream
Tony Trivisionno’s American Dream
Teaching Objectives
To understanding the main idea and structure of the text; To grasp the key language points and grammatical structures in the text; To learn to describe a person by his/her characteristic features, together with supporting details which demonstrate the features; To have a general idea of American Dream.
And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the AMRICAN
DREAM.
American Dream
Hale Waihona Puke 我梦想有一天，我的四个孩子将生活 在一个不是以肤色的深浅，而是以品格 的优劣作为评判标准的国家里。 I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
1 What is American Dream in your opinion? 2 In what ways can a person be considered successful? 3 What is the key to success?
Listen to an Interview
Useful words and phrases
While-reading Task 1
Scan the text to circle all the time words, phrases or sentences in this text.
One evening, Next evening, The next two days, Summer passed into fall, The months passed, One day, A year or two passed. After about two years, Sometime later, Then, During the war, After he passed away,
• Stanford University • Advertising
•
• • •
Turn one’s back on
Poverty Be paved with Capitalist system
•
• • •
Come true
Become gripped by Afford Reach out
Listen to an Interview
Do you know what American Dream is?
﹡ American Dream is the belief that everyone in
the United States has the chance to achieve success and prosperity. For ordinary people, it means a happy family, and ideal job, and a nice house. For minorities and immigrants, it also includes freedom and equal rights.
Sentences Study
• (L 30) well, what do you do with such determination and hope?
♀ It is hard to refuse a person who is determined and hopeful to get a job.
Text Organization
Parts Paragraphs Main Idea
Part I
Part II
1-29
Life story of Tony Trivisonno
on the story of Tony
30-32 The author’s reflection
What does a gardener do?
3. Well, what do you do with such determination and hope?(L30): ① （used in question with what）deal with ♀ Tell me what you did with yourself this week. ② tolerate ♀ 我不能忍受他和他的无礼。 I can’t do with him and his impoliteness. ③ (often with could, can) desire ♀ I could do with a cup of tea. ♂ do without 没有…也行， 将就 do away with 废除， 去
• (L 42) My wife and I were delighted with what we felt was a satisfying end of the story.
♀ my wife and I were happy with what Tony had achieved, and thought that the whole thing had thus been settled.
Listen to an Interview
Why does Dr. Hertz say that the American Dream is in one's head and in one's pocket?
– It is in one's head because one wants to live as well as or better than others; it is in one's pocket because one has to keep on spending money so as to have things other people have.
2. I managed to work out some kind of small weekly pay, and ea day …(L24): Work out: plan, solve, calculate. ♀ work out personal differences of the twins. ♀ I’ve worked out your share of the expenses at ＄10. Weekly: (adj.)happening once a week or every week. ♀ He thinks his weekly wage of 100 yuan is enough. (adv.) once a week, every week, by the week. ♀ 21st Century is published weekly. (n.) a publication issued once a week. ♀ News Weekly <新闻周刊> ♀ twice weekly 半周刊
Do you have a dream?
Do you think you can realize it? How?
I Have a Dream
我梦想有一天，这个国家将会奋起， 实现其立国信条的真谛：“我们认为这 些真理不证自明：人人生而平等。”
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
• • • • • • • to mow to weed to sweep to clean up to take care of to lift to fix • • • • • • • the garden the yard the lawn any little tasks heavy objects the walks things
Questions:
– What did American Dream mean to Dr. Hertz's grandparents? – Why does Dr. Hertz say that the American Dream is in one's head and in one's pocket?
Sequence of the text
time
While-reading Task 2
List the main events which help Tony fulfill his American Dream.
Main events:
1. Tony worked as a help at Mr. Crawford’s house. 2. Tony got a job clearing snow at Mr. Crawford’s factory. 3. Tony learned to become a skilled worker. 4. Tony bought a house with Mr. Crawford's help. 5. Tony bought a farm and sent for his family in Italy.