《高级英语》课程授课教案（第六册）Unit 7 A Few Kind Words for Superstition Robertson Davies

Unit 7 A Few Kind Words for Superstition Robertson Davies I.Teaching Aims: 1.To get the students know the style of an exposition. 2.To have the students understand the satirical words and sentences used in the essay. 3.To get students grasp the key words and sentences structures. II.Teaching Importance and Difficulties: 1.Understand the author's main purpose of writing the essay. 2.Know the writing strategies of the text. 3.Grasp the key language points in the text III.Teaching periods:6 periods IV.Teaching steps: 1.Warm-up Questions: l.Define“superstition”by yourself. 2.Discussion:any western superstition you know. 3.Why people frown on superstition yet still keep their own superstition? 1)Some people might not even realize that what they are doing is considered a superstition and is the very thing they look down on. 2)A way for us to control that element of our lives and give us a feeling of power. 3)can subconsciously help take off the pressure of failure in the person's mind 4)Humans want to know what their fate is and have some control over it because of the human desire to have knowledge of their own fate. 2.Information related to the text: 1)The author:Robertson Davies,One of Canada's best-known satirists,novelists,and playwrights,Robertson Davies(1913-1995)was educated at Upper Canada College in Toronto,at Queen's University in Kingston,and at Oxford University in England.He began his career as a London actor and then worked as an editor for Saturday Night in Toronto and for the Examiner in Petersborough,Ontario. Davies published numerous plays and critical studies on drama and stagecraft and is known throughout Canada for the delightful satires he wrote under the pseudonym "Samuel Marchbanks."However,his reputation rests chiefly on his novels. 2)Expository writing-explaining Thesis:superstition is alive and well,even within the intellectual bastion of a university. "A Few Kind Words for Superstition"is an essay by the Canadian writer Robertson Davies.The essay focuses on the belief of the human world in superstition and its different forms.Davies states that superstition throughout human culture is something of an underground belief that no one will admit to,and most frown upon,yet most people still participate in it.The author inquires on why,so called,irrational things such as"Parapsychology,UFO's,miracle cures,transcendental meditation"are condemned in our societies yet,superstition is slightly disapproved of Davies believes that superstition has some sort of unmentioned hook with all of us.He states that even though people won't admit they are superstitious,he sees all four forms of superstition everyday at the college he attends.Davies writes that the four forms of superstition are Vain Observances, Divination,Idolatry,and Improper Worship of the True God. 3)structure:The text is developed by means of the author's classification of the four types of

Unit 7 A Few Kind Words for Superstition Robertson Davies I. Teaching Aims: 1. To get the students know the style of an exposition. 2. To have the students understand the satirical words and sentences used in the essay. 3. To get students grasp the key words and sentences structures. II. Teaching Importance and Difficulties: 1. Understand the author’s main purpose of writing the essay. 2. Know the writing strategies of the text. 3. Grasp the key language points in the text. III. Teaching periods: 6 periods IV. Teaching steps: 1. Warm-up Questions: 1. Define “superstition” by yourself. 2. Discussion: any western superstition you know. 3. Why people frown on superstition yet still keep their own superstition? 1) Some people might not even realize that what they are doing is considered a superstition and is the very thing they look down on. 2) A way for us to control that element of our lives and give us a feeling of power. 3) can subconsciously help take off the pressure of failure in the person's mind 4) Humans want to know what their fate is and have some control over it because of the human desire to have knowledge of their own fate. 2. Information related to the text: 1) The author: Robertson Davies, One of Canada's best-known satirists, novelists, and playwrights, Robertson Davies (1913-1995) was educated at Upper Canada College in Toronto, at Queen's University in Kingston, and at Oxford University in England. He began his career as a London actor and then worked as an editor for Saturday Night in Toronto and for the Examiner in Petersborough, Ontario. Davies published numerous plays and critical studies on drama and stagecraft and is known throughout Canada for the delightful satires he wrote under the pseudonym "Samuel Marchbanks." However, his reputation rests chiefly on his novels. 2) Expository writing—explaining Thesis: superstition is alive and well, even within the intellectual bastion of a university. "A Few Kind Words for Superstition" is an essay by the Canadian writer Robertson Davies. The essay focuses on the belief of the human world in superstition and its different forms. Davies states that superstition throughout human culture is something of an underground belief that no one will admit to, and most frown upon, yet most people still participate in it. The author inquires on why, so called, irrational things such as "Parapsychology, UFO's, miracle cures, transcendental meditation" are condemned in our societies yet, superstition is slightly disapproved of. Davies believes that superstition has some sort of unmentioned hook with all of us. He states that even though people won't admit they are superstitious, he sees all four forms of superstition everyday at the college he attends. Davies writes that the four forms of superstition are Vain Observances, Divination, Idolatry, and Improper Worship of the True God. 3) structure: The text is developed by means of the author’s classification of the four types of

superstition,and his explanation of its history,popularity,characteristics and reason for people's fascination with it. (1-2)People's different reactions to superstition and the rampant superstition among learned people. (3-6)The four manifestations of superstition (7-10)History,characteristics of superstition (11-12)Reasons why superstition has been so popular 3.Detailed Study of the Text: charm,beguile,bewitch,captivate,enchant,entrance,fascinate The central meaning shared by these verbs is"to attract strongly or irresistibly": grace and manners that charmed the old curmudgeon;: delicacies that beguile even the most discerning gourmet; a performance that bewitched the audience; a novel that captivates its readers; an evening that enchanted all the guests; music that entrances its listeners; a celebrity who fascinated his fellow guests. Analysis Para.1:This is the first paragraph and the author's introduction.His technique for catching the reader's attention is to associate his topic with various other contemporary manifestations of interest in the irrational.He then focuses on superstition with the rhetorical question suggesting that many people,including the reader,may be subject to superstitious behavior. Language points 1.Parapsychology:The study of the evidence for psychological phenomena,such as telepathy, clairvoyance,and psychokinesis,that are inexplicable by science. para-Beside,near;alongside:侧面：附近；旁边： parathyroid.甲状旁腺 Beyond:超出，超越：paranormal.超常的 Incorrect,abnormal:不对的：异常的：paresthesia.感觉异常 Similar to,resembling:类似；相像：paratyphoid fever.伤寒 Subsidiary;assistant::助手；副手：paraprofessional.专业人员的助理 Isomeric;:polymeric:异构的：聚合的：paraldehyde.三聚乙醛 A diatomic molecule in which the nuclei have opposite spin directions:parahydrogen. Of or relating to one of three possible isomers of a benzene ring with two attached chemical groups in which the carbon atoms with attached groups are separated by two unsubstituted carbon atoms:para-bromoiodobenzene.前缀para-溴碘苯 Parachute,parachutist:降落伞：伞兵：paratroops.伞兵部队 2.Condemn:to criticize strongly,usually for moral reasons blame censure criticized enounce disapprove doom reproach 3.deplore:to say or think that sth.is very bad;to condemn be sorry for lament regret

superstition, and his explanation of its history, popularity, characteristics and reason for people’s fascination with it. (1-2) People’s different reactions to superstition and the rampant superstition among learned people. (3-6) The four manifestations of superstition. (7-10) History, characteristics of superstition (11-12) Reasons why superstition has been so popular 3. Detailed Study of the Text: charm， beguile， bewitch， captivate， enchant， entrance， fascinate The central meaning shared by these verbs is “to attract strongly or irresistibly”: grace and manners that charmed the old curmudgeon;； delicacies that beguile even the most discerning gourmet; a performance that bewitched the audience; a novel that captivates its readers; an evening that enchanted all the guests; music that entrances its listeners; a celebrity who fascinated his fellow guests. Analysis Para. 1: This is the first paragraph and the author's introduction. His technique for catching the reader's attention is to associate his topic with various other contemporary manifestations of interest in the irrational. He then focuses on superstition with the rhetorical question suggesting that many people, including the reader, may be subject to superstitious behavior. Language points 1. Parapsychology：The study of the evidence for psychological phenomena, such as telepathy, clairvoyance, and psychokinesis, that are inexplicable by science. para-Beside; near; alongside:侧面；附近；旁边： parathyroid.甲状旁腺 Beyond:超出，超越： paranormal.超常的 Incorrect; abnormal:不对的；异常的： paresthesia.感觉异常 Similar to; resembling:类似；相像： paratyphoid fever.伤寒 Subsidiary; assistant:助手；副手：paraprofessional.专业人员的助理 Isomeric; polymeric:异构的；聚合的：paraldehyde.三聚乙醛 A diatomic molecule in which the nuclei have opposite spin directions: parahydrogen.逆氢 Of or relating to one of three possible isomers of a benzene ring with two attached chemical groups in which the carbon atoms with attached groups are separated by two unsubstituted carbon atoms: para- bromoiodobenzene. 前缀 para- 溴碘苯 Parachute; parachutist:降落伞；伞兵：paratroops.伞兵部队 2. Condemn: to criticize strongly, usually for moral reasons blame censure criticized enounce disapprove doom reproach 3. deplore: to say or think that sth. is very bad; to condemn be sorry for lament regret

para.2:The second paragraph states the writer's main idea:superstition is alive and well,even within the intellectual bastion of a university.He also prepares the reader to follow his discussion by mentioning that he will deal with four manifestations of superstition. Language points l,vain:Not yielding the desired outcome,fruitless::a vain attempt.没有结果的尝试 Lacking substance or worth:无价值的： vain talk.没有价值的谈语 Excessively proud of one's appearance or accomplishments,conceited. Archaic Foolish.【古语】傻的，愚蠢的 a vain attempt徒劳的尝试a vain girl虚荣心强的女孩子 vain talker愚蠢的空谈家He is vain of his speech.他对自己的发言很得意。 as vain as a peacock象孔雀般地炫耀自己 2.divination:The art or act of foretelling future events or revealing occult knowledge by means of augury or an alleged supernatural agency. 3.Almost,but not quite:an elliptical sentence,is a response to the preceding statement ".their general level of education seems to absolve them of superstition."The author suggests that the education they have received may not be able to help them to get rid of superstition. 4.Modest idolatry:idolatry is the practice of worshipping idols.It sometimes means too much admiration for someone or sth.Here it refers to the students'unreasonable.almost morbid.belief in the"bringers of luck". 5.prevailing,prevalent,current,rife These adjectives denote what exists or is encountered generally at a particular time. Prevailing applies to what is most frequent or common at a certain time or in a certain place: The prevailing opinion seems to be that a trade war can be averted if both countries make concessions. Prevalent suggests widespread existence or occurrence but does not imply predominance: "The religion most prevalent in our northern colonies is a refinement on the principles of resistance:it is the dissidence of dissent"(Edmund Burke). Current often stresses the present time;the term is frequently applied to what passes from one to another or to what is subject to frequent change: Many current psychoanalytic theories diverge markedly from classical Freudian dogma. Rife implies that something is current,plentiful,or rapidly spreading or increasing: "The speculation which for some time was rife concerning [the book's]authorship made many turn to it'” "The drinking oftea.now.became very rife" Para.8:this paragraph tells us that superstition has a spell that somewhat differs from religion and can not be dispelled by science. "the more.,the less."-the sentence implies that religion is not as powerful as it used to be.By contrast,the subsequent sentence indicates that superstition prevails and persists in all kinds of people,ranging from ignorant young children to learned scholars. Question:Why does the author mention the psychoanalysts? The author suggests that scientists might be able to provide reasonable explanations for superstition,but they can not root it out

para.2: The second paragraph states the writer's main idea: superstition is alive and well, even within the intellectual bastion of a university. He also prepares the reader to follow his discussion by mentioning that he will deal with four manifestations of superstition. Language points 1. vain: Not yielding the desired outcome; fruitless:：a vain attempt.没有结果的尝试 Lacking substance or worth:无价值的： vain talk.没有价值的谈语 Excessively proud of one's appearance or accomplishments; conceited. Archaic Foolish.【古语】 傻的，愚蠢的 a vain attempt 徒劳的尝试 a vain girl 虚荣心强的女孩子 vain talker 愚蠢的空谈家 He is vain of his speech. 他对自己的发言很得意。 as vain as a peacock 象孔雀般地炫耀自己 2. divination: The art or act of foretelling future events or revealing occult knowledge by means of augury or an alleged supernatural agency. 3. Almost, but not quite: an elliptical sentence, is a response to the preceding statement “.their general level of education seems to absolve them of superstition.” The author suggests that the education they have received may not be able to help them to get rid of superstition. 4. Modest idolatry: idolatry is the practice of worshipping idols. It sometimes means too much admiration for someone or sth. Here it refers to the students’ unreasonable, almost morbid, belief in the “bringers of luck”. 5. prevailing， prevalent， current， rife These adjectives denote what exists or is encountered generally at a particular time. Prevailing applies to what is most frequent or common at a certain time or in a certain place: The prevailing opinion seems to be that a trade war can be averted if both countries make concessions. Prevalent suggests widespread existence or occurrence but does not imply predominance: “The religion most prevalent in our northern colonies is a refinement on the principles of resistance: it is the dissidence of dissent” (Edmund Burke). Current often stresses the present time; the term is frequently applied to what passes from one to another or to what is subject to frequent change: Many current psychoanalytic theories diverge markedly from classical Freudian dogma. Rife implies that something is current, plentiful, or rapidly spreading or increasing: “The speculation which for some time was rife concerning [the book's] authorship made many turn to it” “The drinking of tea . . . now . . . became very rife” Para.8: this paragraph tells us that superstition has a spell that somewhat differs from religion and can not be dispelled by science. “the more., the less.”-the sentence implies that religion is not as powerful as it used to be. By contrast, the subsequent sentence indicates that superstition prevails and persists in all kinds of people, ranging from ignorant young children to learned scholars. Question: Why does the author mention the psychoanalysts? The author suggests that scientists might be able to provide reasonable explanations for superstition, but they can not root it out

Language points 1.cajole:To urge with gentle and repeated appeals,teasing,or flattery;wheedle. That big boy is always cajoling other children into doing things for him. vt.勾引，诱骗cajole(sb.)into[out of]doing sth.诱（人）做[停止做]某事 cajole(sth)out of[iom]sb.甜言蜜语骗走某人的（某物） para.9-10:in these two paragraphs,the author points out one of the characteristics of superstition-its persistent popularity,regardless of time,race,creed and even modern science. Question:Why does the author mention astrology? The author uses this example to show that superstition is indifferent to time and science,because it has been popular all the time,whether in ancient Rome or in contemporary society,whether in sober newspapers or fashion magazines. Language points 1.hasten v.intr.To move or act swiftly.v.tr.To cause to hurry. To speed up;accelerate:fanned the wet paint to hasten drying. She hastened home The deathbed struggles of the enemies can only hasten their own doom. I hasten to say that he is not hurt. "He told her about the accident,but hastened to add that no one was hurt." 2.Lest conj.For fear that:唯恐，以免： tiptoed lest the guard should hear her;anxious lest he become ill. I obeyed her lest she should be angry. 3.come by:To gain possession of;acquire:Mortgages are hard to come by To pay a visit. 4.discredit:To damage in reputation;disgrace;To cause to be doubted or distrusted;To refuse to believe. Lack or loss of trust or belief,doubt Something damaging to one's reputation or stature. That guy is a discredit to his family and relatives and friends. The idea that the earth is flat has long been discredited. "As far as this subject,later researches discredited the earlier conclusions. 5.damn:To pronounce an adverse judgment upon. To bring about the failure of;ruin. To condemn as harmful,illegal,or immoral: This film was damned by the critics. Informal The least valuable bit;a jot: not worth a damn.一文不值 damn well:Without any doubt;positively: I am damn well going to file charges against him. Para.11:the author provides his own explanation of why superstition has been so popular-it has to do with"man's yearning to know his fate,and have some hand in deciding it." Question:What does the author mean by "now I am humbler"after he relates his personal experience? The author means that when he was a university student he was not superstitious.In fact he thought what he did with the gypsy woman was simply a joke.But now,after his description and

Language points 1. cajole: To urge with gentle and repeated appeals, teasing, or flattery; wheedle. That big boy is always cajoling other children into doing things for him. vt.勾引, 诱骗 cajole (sb.)into [out of] doing sth.诱(人)做[停止做]某事 cajole (sth.) out of [from] sb.甜言蜜语骗走某人的(某物) para.9-10: in these two paragraphs, the author points out one of the characteristics of superstition—its persistent popularity, regardless of time, race, creed and even modern science. Question: Why does the author mention astrology? The author uses this example to show that superstition is indifferent to time and science, because it has been popular all the time, whether in ancient Rome or in contemporary society, whether in sober newspapers or fashion magazines. Language points 1. hasten v.intr. To move or act swiftly. v.tr.To cause to hurry. To speed up; accelerate: fanned the wet paint to hasten drying. She hastened home The deathbed struggles of the enemies can only hasten their own doom. I hasten to say that he is not hurt. "He told her about the accident, but hastened to add that no one was hurt." 2. Lest conj. For fear that: 唯恐，以免： tiptoed lest the guard should hear her; anxious lest he become ill. I obeyed her lest she should be angry. 3. come by: To gain possession of; acquire: Mortgages are hard to come by. To pay a visit. 4. discredit: To damage in reputation; disgrace; To cause to be doubted or distrusted; To refuse to believe. Lack or loss of trust or belief; doubt. Something damaging to one's reputation or stature. That guy is a discredit to his family and relatives and friends. The idea that the earth is flat has long been discredited. "As far as this subject, later researches discredited the earlier conclusions. 5. damn: To pronounce an adverse judgment upon. To bring about the failure of; ruin. To condemn as harmful, illegal, or immoral: This film was damned by the critics. Informal The least valuable bit; a jot: not worth a damn. 一文不值 damn well: Without any doubt; positively: I am damn well going to file charges against him. Para.11: the author provides his own explanation of why superstition has been so popular—it has to do with “man’s yearning to know his fate, and have some hand in deciding it.” Question: What does the author mean by “now I am humbler” after he relates his personal experience? The author means that when he was a university student he was not superstitious. In fact he thought what he did with the gypsy woman was simply a joke. But now, after his description and

analysis of the various forms of superstition with all kinds of people throughout history,he finds that there is some rationality in it. Language points 1.Humble:Marked by meekness or modesty in behavior,attitude,or spirit;not arrogant or prideful;Showing deferential or submissive respect: a humble apology.低声下气的道歉 Low in rank,quality,or station;unpretentious or lowly: a humble cottage.一座简陋的小屋 V.Assignments: 1)Finish all the exercises of the text. 2)Write an essay about 250 words on your comment of superstition

analysis of the various forms of superstition with all kinds of people throughout history, he finds that there is some rationality in it. Language points 1. Humble: Marked by meekness or modesty in behavior, attitude, or spirit; not arrogant or prideful; Showing deferential or submissive respect: a humble apology.低声下气的道歉 Low in rank, quality, or station; unpretentious or lowly: a humble cottage.一座简陋的小屋 V. Assignments: 1) Finish all the exercises of the text. 2) Write an essay about 250 words on your comment of superstition