Unit 5 Unit 5 The Company ManThe Company Man

ContentsContents

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. What do you think is the life of a typical workaholic like?

2. How important do you think work is to a person?

Background information Background information

About the text and the authorAbout the text and the author Ellen Goodman(1941 – ), journalist and Ellen Goodman(1941 – ), journalist and

columnist who won a Pulitzer Prize in 1980 columnist who won a Pulitzer Prize in 1980 for commentary. She has written forfor commentary. She has written for NewsweekNewsweek, the , the Detroit Free Press,Detroit Free Press, and the and the Boston GlobeBoston Globe. Her works include . Her works include Turning Turning PointsPoints (1979), (1979), Close to HomeClose to Home (1979), and (1979), and At At LargeLarge (1981). (1981).

Background information (5)Background information (5)

Pulitzer PrizePulitzer Prize Any of several awards established by Joseph Any of several awards established by Joseph

Pulitzer and conferred annually for Pulitzer and conferred annually for accomplishment in various fields of American accomplishment in various fields of American journalism, literature, and music.journalism, literature, and music.

Pulitzer MedalPulitzer Medal

Structure analysis of the text Structure analysis of the text

Paragraph 1Paragraph 1 This is an introductory paragraph. This is an introductory paragraph. Paragraphs 2-6Paragraphs 2-6 This part reports how devoted the man was to This part reports how devoted the man was to

his work.his work.

Paragraphs 7-13Paragraphs 7-13 This part describes Phil’s role in his family.This part describes Phil’s role in his family. Paragraph 14-16Paragraph 14-16 This is the concluding part. After the cause of This is the concluding part. After the cause of

Phil’s death being restated, the author goes on Phil’s death being restated, the author goes on to report the company president’s inquire for to report the company president’s inquire for his successor.his successor.

Comprehensive questions Comprehensive questions

1. 1. what is meant by the sentence “she would what is meant by the sentence “she would be well taken care of” in Paragraph 8?be well taken care of” in Paragraph 8? It means that the company Phil worked for would It means that the company Phil worked for would

provide some financial help for his wife so as to provide some financial help for his wife so as to relieve her of any possible worries about finance.relieve her of any possible worries about finance.

Comprehensive questions (2)Comprehensive questions (2)

2.2. why is the phrase “dearly beloved” repeated why is the phrase “dearly beloved” repeated when referring to his children in Paragraph 9?when referring to his children in Paragraph 9? The phrase “delay beloved” is repeated to create a The phrase “delay beloved” is repeated to create a

sarcastic effect for his relationship with his sarcastic effect for his relationship with his children was far from being close and intimate and children was far from being close and intimate and he devoted too little to his children.he devoted too little to his children.

Comprehensive questions (3)Comprehensive questions (3)

3. What do you think is the relationship like between 3. What do you think is the relationship like between Phil and the three children?Phil and the three children? Refer to Paragraphs 9—12. Successful as his was as a Refer to Paragraphs 9—12. Successful as his was as a

corporate man, Phil was a failing father. His eldest son corporate man, Phil was a failing father. His eldest son knew so little about him that he had to research his father knew so little about him that he had to research his father by asking the neighbors what he was like. by asking the neighbors what he was like. His daughter had nothing to say when staying along with him. And his younger son, also his favorite, remarked bitterly that his father and he only boarded at the home. The relationship between Phil and his children was distant and estranged.

Comprehensive questions (4)Comprehensive questions (4)

4.4.what is the implication of the ending?what is the implication of the ending? It implies the story of Phil sees no end: He will It implies the story of Phil sees no end: He will

soon be replaced by an equally hardworking guy soon be replaced by an equally hardworking guy who may following in his steps and repeat the who may following in his steps and repeat the same tragedy. Bosses are always on the lookout for same tragedy. Bosses are always on the lookout for workaholics and they are never in short supply. workaholics and they are never in short supply. The ending is full of sarcasm and bitterness.The ending is full of sarcasm and bitterness.

Comprehension questions (5)Comprehension questions (5)

55. . Do you think it is a sheer waste of life to die Do you think it is a sheer waste of life to die so young for working so hard? What can you so young for working so hard? What can you learn from the story of Phil?learn from the story of Phil?

Language points of Text I Language points of Text I

Paragraph 1Paragraph 1

preciselyprecisely: exactly: exactly They arrived at five o’clockThey arrived at five o’clock precisely precisely.. synonyms: exactly, accurately, definitelysynonyms: exactly, accurately, definitely

Paragraph 2-6Paragraph 2-6 overweight:overweight: weighing more than is normal, weighing more than is normal,

necessary, or allowed, especially having more necessary, or allowed, especially having more body weight than is considered normal or body weight than is considered normal or healthy for one’s age or build.healthy for one’s age or build.

Compare: fat, obese, fleshy, stoutCompare: fat, obese, fleshy, stout （ 壮 实（ 壮 实的）的） , pudgy(, pudgy( 矮胖的）矮胖的） , plump, chubby, plump, chubby （圆（圆胖的）胖的）

Para 7-13Para 7-13 survive survive : to live longer than; to outlive: to live longer than; to outlive

It’s amazing that she should have survived all her children It’s amazing that she should have survived all her children and grandchildren.and grandchildren.

My father survived my mother by four years.My father survived my mother by four years. marketable:marketable: wanted by purchasers or employers. wanted by purchasers or employers.

They have failed to launch a marketable model for years.They have failed to launch a marketable model for years. It is a good idea to list your marketable skills before It is a good idea to list your marketable skills before

heading for the job fair.heading for the job fair.

widow:widow: a woman whose husband has died, a woman whose husband has died, and who has not married again.and who has not married again.

widower:widower: a man whose wife has died, and a man whose wife has died, and who has not married again.who has not married again.

WidowWidow v. to make a widow or widower of v. to make a widow or widower of somebody.somebody. She calls her windowed father/mother nearly She calls her windowed father/mother nearly

everyday.everyday.

straighten out:straighten out: to solve or settle: to remove to solve or settle: to remove difficulties from something or the doubt or difficulties from something or the doubt or ignorance in somebody’s mind.ignorance in somebody’s mind. we need someone capable of straightening out all we need someone capable of straightening out all

the confusion.the confusion.

Paragraphs 14-16Paragraphs 14-16 inquiry:inquiry: a request for help or information; an a request for help or information; an

investigationinvestigation Don’t hesitate to check with our workers at the inquiry Don’t hesitate to check with our workers at the inquiry

desk/office when in doubt.desk/office when in doubt.

Sentence highlightsSentence highlights

1. He was, however, one of six vice-1. He was, however, one of six vice-presidents, and one of three who might presidents, and one of three who might conceivably-if the president died or retired conceivably-if the president died or retired soon enough-have moved to the top spot. soon enough-have moved to the top spot. (Para.3)(Para.3)

Paraphrase:Paraphrase:

2. He was the one who tried to grab at his 2. He was the one who tried to grab at his father, and tried to mean enough to him to father, and tried to mean enough to him to keep the man at home. (Para.11)keep the man at home. (Para.11)

Paraphrase:Paraphrase:

3. She was afraid he would read her bitterness 3. She was afraid he would read her bitterness and after all, she would need him to straighten and after all, she would need him to straighten out the finance-the stock options and all that. out the finance-the stock options and all that. (Para.13)(Para.13)

Language appreciationLanguage appreciation

1.1. He worked himself to death, finally and He worked himself to death, finally and precisely, at 3:00 a.m. Sunday morning. precisely, at 3:00 a.m. Sunday morning. (Para.1)(Para.1)

So when he finally worked himself to death, at So when he finally worked himself to death, at precisely 3:00 a.m. Sunday morning, no one precisely 3:00 a.m. Sunday morning, no one was really surprised. (Para. 15)was really surprised. (Para. 15)

Repetition of the time of his death vividly Repetition of the time of his death vividly expresses _______________expresses _______________

2. He was 2. He was a perfect Type A, a workaholic, a a perfect Type A, a workaholic, a classicclassic, they said to each other and shook , they said to each other and shook their heads.their heads.

Three appositions together disclose Three appositions together disclose characteristics of the man.characteristics of the man.

3. His second child is a girl,… to each other. 3. His second child is a girl,… to each other. (Para.10) (Para.10)

The writer employs comparison and contrast here The writer employs comparison and contrast here again to again to

Grammar pointsGrammar points

Present Perfect TensePresent Perfect Tense The present perfect tense is common in The present perfect tense is common in

English .English . It is often used for an action which started at It is often used for an action which started at

some time in the past, and is still continuing some time in the past, and is still continuing now. now. He has lived in Canada for five years.He has lived in Canada for five years.

Secondly, it’s important to say that something Secondly, it’s important to say that something happened, but it’s not important when it happened, but it’s not important when it happened.happened.

Thirdly, it can be used for actions which Thirdly, it can be used for actions which happened in the past, but still have an effect in happened in the past, but still have an effect in the present.the present.

Comprehensive Questions of Text IIComprehensive Questions of Text II

1.What is a kind of fundamental malaise(1.What is a kind of fundamental malaise( 不舒服） 不舒服） which seams very common and which poses difficult which seams very common and which poses difficult problems for the social reformer?problems for the social reformer?

2.What is the first of the two causes that prevent 2.What is the first of the two causes that prevent people from being as happy as one might expect?people from being as happy as one might expect?

3.What is the major cause that prevents people from 3.What is the major cause that prevents people from being happy as much as possible?being happy as much as possible?

4.How do you understand the statement that a life 4.How do you understand the statement that a life which is all principle is a life on rails?which is all principle is a life on rails?

A1: People are troubled by a feeling of A1: People are troubled by a feeling of boredom and discontent, so they seem to yearn boredom and discontent, so they seem to yearn for something that may help to boost their for something that may help to boost their spirits. The rich often depressed and spirits. The rich often depressed and professional men often feel hopelessly professional men often feel hopelessly thwarted.thwarted.

A2: It is the necessity of readiness to submit to A2: It is the necessity of readiness to submit to others in some large organization. Conformity others in some large organization. Conformity is encouraged and submission is a virtue. If is encouraged and submission is a virtue. If you are bubbling with energy and laden with you are bubbling with energy and laden with ideas, you constantly find yourself in trouble. ideas, you constantly find yourself in trouble. You are bossed about by some big man at the You are bossed about by some big man at the top who is elderly, weary and cynical. The top who is elderly, weary and cynical. The bright people always suffer form the bright people always suffer form the impossibility of doing anything they believe to impossibility of doing anything they believe to be right.be right.

A3: Most people act on some principles rather than on A3: Most people act on some principles rather than on impulse. They believe in a general theory on how to make one impulse. They believe in a general theory on how to make one happy, but the theory is basically false. A competitive struggle happy, but the theory is basically false. A competitive struggle dominates life in which happiness lies in getting ahead of dominates life in which happiness lies in getting ahead of those who are your neighbors, colleagues or fiends. They those who are your neighbors, colleagues or fiends. They forget joys devoid of competitive elements. Though it is true forget joys devoid of competitive elements. Though it is true that you are mad if you always yield to impulse, it is no less that you are mad if you always yield to impulse, it is no less true that you may dry up by soft degrees if you never yield to true that you may dry up by soft degrees if you never yield to impulse. If you desire to live a healthy and happy life, you impulse. If you desire to live a healthy and happy life, you should allow impulse to have sufficient scope to remain alive should allow impulse to have sufficient scope to remain alive and you should preserve a range of interests. However, if you and you should preserve a range of interests. However, if you live merely on principle, you can hardly feel happy.live merely on principle, you can hardly feel happy.

A 4: In such a life, one may score earthly A 4: In such a life, one may score earthly achievements in a fairly fast manner, but he achievements in a fairly fast manner, but he may succeed in attaining his particular goal at may succeed in attaining his particular goal at the cost of freedom, which is an indispensable the cost of freedom, which is an indispensable element in happiness.element in happiness.