Unit 10 American Literature

Reading

A Sacrifice For Love

(1862-1910)

He was called father of the American modern short stories. He is a prolific(多产的 )short-story writer who wrote about the life of ordinary people in New York City. And his stories are usually presented with humorous tone, realistic detail, and a surprising ending.

careHis famous works:

“ The Four Million ” 《四百万》

"The Furnished Room " 《带家具出租的房间》

"The Gift of the Magi " 《麦琪的礼物》、

“Cabbages and Kings ”

《白菜与国王》、

My heart will go on Every night in my dreams I see you I feel youThat is how I know you go on

Far across the distance and spaces between usYou have come to show you go on

Near, far, wherever you areI believe that the heart does go onOnce more you open the doorAnd you’re here in my heart And my heart will go on and on

Love can touch us one time and last for a lifetimeAnd never let go till we’re one Love was when I loved youOne true time I hold toIn my life we’ll always go on

Near, far, wherever you areI believe that the heart does go onOnce more you open the doorAnd you’re here in my heart And my heart will go on and on

You’re here there’s nothing I fearAnd I know that my heart will go onWe’ll stay forever this way You are safe in my heartAnd my heart will go on and on

Skimming1.When does the story happen?

Before Christmas Day

2.Where does the story happen?

At home

3.Who is the story about?

A couple: Della and Jim

Listening

1. What are Della and Jim’s precious possessions?

Della’s hair & Jim’s gold watch

2. What gifts did they get for each other?

Della: a gold watch chain Jim: a set of comb

3. How did they manage to do this? They sold their own possession.

Listening

Della’s long hair

Jim’s gold watch

Della Jim

sell sell

hair watch

a gold watch chain

a set of comb

love

Reading comprehension

Keys: B D C B C D C D C D

1_____________ Place

Setting A day before Christmas In a 2____________ room

Plot 1.Della hadn’t 3_____________ to buy a gift for Jim.

2.Della sold her proud possession,4_________

to get money to buy a gift.

3.Jim got home and was astonished to see Della’s 5______________.

Conflict Della and Jim didn’t have enough money to buy a rare gift for 6__________________.

Climax Della 7__________her hair to buy Jim a 8______________,

while Jim sold his watch to buy Della a 9____________.

They both 10___________________________ so that their

gifts became in vain .

Gap-fillingTime

shabby rented

enough money

her long hair

short hair

the othersold/cut off gold watch chain

set of combssacrificed their possessions

Discussion1.What do you think of the couple’s gifts? Do they make any sense?

2.Do you think the couple live a happy life? Why?

3.What can we learn from this story?

4.What is love ?

Love is a permanent theme in the world.

The more love you give, the more you will receive.

Five Five elements elements of a novelof a novel

TimeTime

PlacPlacee

Perso

n

Perso

n

EventEventEnd

Information in the story

Time:Place:Persons:Event:

End:

Before ChristmasHome-barbershop-stores-home

Della, Jim– a coupleTo buy each other’s Christmas Presents

- sell their own best things—presents for their lost things- love