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Unit Four Book SixUnit Four Book Six
The Meaning of Work The Meaning of Work
Meaning of WorkMeaning of Work
It's what you spend your days, or nights, doing. It helps define who you are. Week after week, year after year, you get up and go to work. Sure you get paid. But it's probably not your only motivation. What, at the end of your shift or your workday, gives you a sense of accomplishment, inspiration or joy?
The concept “meaning of work” can also be defined as one’s orientation or inclination toward work, what the subject is seeking in the work, and the intents that guide his actions
What is work?What is work?
“We moralize work and make it a problem, forgetting that the hands love to work and in the hands is the mind. That “work ethic” idea does more to impede working… it makes it a duty instead of a pleasure. (…) I merely want to speak of working as a pleasure, as an instinctual gratification — not just “the right to work”, or work as an economic necessity or a social duty or a moral penance laid onto Adam after leaving the Paradise. The hands themselves want to do things, and the mind loves to apply itself.
Work irreducible. We don’t work for food gathering or tribal power and conquest or to buy a new car and so on and so forth. Working is its own end and brings its own joy; but one has to have a fantasy so that work can go on, and the fantasies we now have about it — economic and sociological — keep it from going on, so we have a huge problem of productivity and quality in our Western work. We have got work where we don’t want it. We don’t want to work. It’s like not wanting to eat or to make love. It’s an instinctual laming. And this is psychology’s fault: it doesn’t attend to the work instinct.”
Meaning is a subjective thing: what counts as Meaning is a subjective thing: what counts as meaningful work to one person won't to anothmeaningful work to one person won't to another. This means that companies, for all their insier. This means that companies, for all their insistence on “employee engagement programmstence on “employee engagement programmes”, can't create meaning and should not try. es”, can't create meaning and should not try.
Instead they should concentrate on not destroInstead they should concentrate on not destroying it – which many of them manage to do effying it – which many of them manage to do effortlessly enough through treating their emploortlessly enough through treating their employees badly. yees badly.
Depersonalization Depersonalization
It consists in adopting so-called objective and impersonal attitudes toward people and to treat them like
any other kind of resources, rejecting more or less consciously their psychological, sociological, cultural, and spiritual complexity.
For example,
customers are regarded as economic agents whose sole function is to purchase the goods or services offered by the organization. Similarly, employees are considered as resources that should devote their time and talents to the financial success of the organization. This type of vision leads directly to the denial of the actors’ humanity.
stop looking for meaning at once. If stop looking for meaning at once. If they go out looking, they are most they go out looking, they are most unlikely to find anything. It is the unlikely to find anything. It is the same thing with happiness: the more same thing with happiness: the more you search, the less you find. you search, the less you find.
Text AnalysisText Analysis
Part OnePart One
Para 1Para 1The author talks about her The author talks about her general impressions of the general impressions of the auto plants she touredauto plants she toured
Part TwoPart TwoParas 2-30Paras 2-30
The author relates her hands-The author relates her hands-on experience as an on experience as an assembly line workerassembly line worker
Part ThreePart Three The author describes the lessonThe author describes the lessons she drew from the expriences she drew from the exprience
assaultassault A violent physical or verbal attack A violent physical or verbal attack
Assail: to attack violently Assail: to attack violently
Assault can be used as a noun, as in Assault can be used as a noun, as in Sexual assault Sexual assault Make an assualt on Make an assualt on
Assail can mean: be troubled, upset as in Assail can mean: be troubled, upset as in was assailed by doubtswas assailed by doubts
encloseenclose
Shut in on all sides; put (sth) in an envelopShut in on all sides; put (sth) in an envelope, etc (used in the pattern: e, etc (used in the pattern: be enclosed ibe enclosed inn))
The surrounding land was enclosed by an The surrounding land was enclosed by an eight-foot wire fence.eight-foot wire fence.
Enclosed in the letter was a cheque for $1Enclosed in the letter was a cheque for $10. 0.
Discordant cacophony Discordant cacophony
Jarring, discordant sound; Jarring, discordant sound; dissonance: dissonance: heard a cacophony of heard a cacophony of horns during the traffic jam.horns during the traffic jam. (hooting)(hooting)
These jarring sounds include: These jarring sounds include: Ring, clank, whine, groan, clang, Ring, clank, whine, groan, clang,
whoosh, crackle, beep, hiss, bang, whoosh, crackle, beep, hiss, bang, rumble, clatter and clankrumble, clatter and clank
Metal rang on metalMetal rang on metal
To (cause to) give out a clear To (cause to) give out a clear resonant sound, like that of a bell resonant sound, like that of a bell
Toll: to sound (a large bell) slowly at regular intervals.
Stamping pressStamping press
is a is a manufacturingmanufacturing device that is device that is designed and built to operate designed and built to operate progressive stamping diesprogressive stamping dies and other and other types of dies. types of dies.
clankclank
(cause to) make a dull metallic sound(cause to) make a dull metallic sound
““Here we are now”, Beth said, as the Here we are now”, Beth said, as the train clanked into a tiny station. train clanked into a tiny station.
The heavy iron door clanked shut The heavy iron door clanked shut behind me.behind me.
Power toolsPower tools
A A power toolpower tool is a is a tooltool powered by powered by an an electric motorelectric motor, a compressed air , a compressed air motor, or a gasoline engine. motor, or a gasoline engine.
whinewhine
To produce a sustained noise of To produce a sustained noise of relatively high pitch: relatively high pitch: jet engines jet engines whining.whining.
habitually complaining; "a whiny habitually complaining; "a whiny child" child"
pulleypulley
wheel with a grooved rim in which a wheel with a grooved rim in which a belt, chain, or piece of rope runs in belt, chain, or piece of rope runs in order to lift weights by a downward order to lift weights by a downward pull pull
groangroan
1. 1. To voice a deep, inarticulate To voice a deep, inarticulate sound, as of pain, grief, or sound, as of pain, grief, or displeasure.displeasure.
2. 2. To make a sound expressive of To make a sound expressive of stress or strain: stress or strain: floorboards groaning.floorboards groaning.
hoisthoist
An apparatus for lifting heavy or An apparatus for lifting heavy or cumbersome objects. cumbersome objects.
raise or haul up with or as if with raise or haul up with or as if with mechanical help; "hoist the bicycle mechanical help; "hoist the bicycle onto the roof of the car" onto the roof of the car"
clangclang
loud resonant repeating noise; loud resonant repeating noise;
"he could hear the clang of distant "he could hear the clang of distant bells" bells"
weldweld
Join (pieces of metal) by hammering or Join (pieces of metal) by hammering or pressure or fusing by using an oxy-pressure or fusing by using an oxy-acetylene flame or an electric arc acetylene flame or an electric arc (followed by (followed by to, togetherto, together))
He doesn’t know how to weld stainless He doesn’t know how to weld stainless steel to ordinary steel.steel to ordinary steel.
They will also be used on factory floors They will also be used on factory floors to weld things together. to weld things together.
weldweld
N. the act of welding; the part joined N. the act of welding; the part joined by welding.by welding.
The manager told us that the weld has The manager told us that the weld has been done from inside the car. been done from inside the car.
A team of eight divers repaired the A team of eight divers repaired the cracked weld on the oil platform in cracked weld on the oil platform in almost 600 feet of water. almost 600 feet of water.
whooshwhoosh
A sibilant sound:A sibilant sound: the whoosh of the high-speed the whoosh of the high-speed
elevator.elevator.
sparkspark
A small bit of burning material thrown A small bit of burning material thrown out by a fire or by striking together of out by a fire or by striking together of two hard objects two hard objects
Sparks were flying out of the bonfire Sparks were flying out of the bonfire and blowing everywhere. and blowing everywhere.
That small incident was the spark that That small incident was the spark that set off the street riots.set off the street riots.
sparkspark
Throw out tiny glowing bitsThrow out tiny glowing bits
I stared into the flames of the fire as it I stared into the flames of the fire as it sparked into life. sparked into life.
This proposal will almost certainly This proposal will almost certainly
cracklecrackle
Make small cracking soundsMake small cracking sounds
The twigs crackled as we trod on them.The twigs crackled as we trod on them.
The radio crackled just then and I The radio crackled just then and I missed what was said. missed what was said.
beepbeep
A sound or a signal, as from a horn or A sound or a signal, as from a horn or an electronic device. an electronic device.
hisshiss
Make the sound /s/, or the noise heard Make the sound /s/, or the noise heard when water falls on a very hot surface; when water falls on a very hot surface; show disapproval by making the /s/ soundshow disapproval by making the /s/ sound
The tires of his bike hissed over the wet The tires of his bike hissed over the wet pavement as he slowed down. pavement as he slowed down.
If you put a very hot pan into cold water, it If you put a very hot pan into cold water, it will hiss and produce a lot of steam.will hiss and produce a lot of steam.
The villain was hissed and booed The villain was hissed and booed whenever he came on stage. whenever he came on stage.
boltbolt
A fastener consisting of a threaded A fastener consisting of a threaded pin or rod with a head at one end, pin or rod with a head at one end, designed to be inserted through designed to be inserted through holes in assembled parts and holes in assembled parts and secured by a mated nut that is secured by a mated nut that is tightened by applying torque tightened by applying torque
boltbolt
boltbolt
To start suddenly and run away: To start suddenly and run away: The The horse bolted at the sound of the shot. horse bolted at the sound of the shot. The frightened child bolted from the The frightened child bolted from the room.room.
bangbang
sudden loud noise, as of an sudden loud noise, as of an explosion. explosion.
trolleytrolley
a wheeled cart or stand used for a wheeled cart or stand used for moving heavy items, such as moving heavy items, such as shopping in a supermarket or shopping in a supermarket or luggage at a railway station luggage at a railway station
rumblerumble
Make, move with, a deep, heavy Make, move with, a deep, heavy continuous soundcontinuous sound
Please excuse my stomach rumbling –I Please excuse my stomach rumbling –I haven’t eaten all day. haven’t eaten all day.
A line of tractors rumbled onto the A line of tractors rumbled onto the motorway through a cordon of police. motorway through a cordon of police.
rumblerumble
n. deep, heavy, continuous soundn. deep, heavy, continuous sound
We could hear the rumble of distant We could hear the rumble of distant thunder. thunder.
The representatives gave us a solid The representatives gave us a solid rumble of approval. rumble of approval.
aisleaisle
1. 1. A part of a church divided laterally A part of a church divided laterally from the nave by a row of pillars or from the nave by a row of pillars or columns.columns.
2. 2. A passageway between rows of A passageway between rows of seats, as in an auditorium or an seats, as in an auditorium or an airplane.airplane.
3. 3. A passageway for inside traffic, as A passageway for inside traffic, as in a department store, warehouse, or in a department store, warehouse, or supermarket.supermarket.
clatterclatter
1. 1. To make a rattling sound.To make a rattling sound. 2. 2. To move with a rattling sound: To move with a rattling sound:
clattering along on roller skates.clattering along on roller skates. 3. 3. To talk rapidly and noisily; chatterTo talk rapidly and noisily; chatter
clankclank
A metallic sound, sharp and hard but A metallic sound, sharp and hard but not resonant: not resonant: the clank of chains.the clank of chains.
Conveyor beltConveyor belt
rotaterotate
(cause) to move around a central (cause) to move around a central point; (cause to) take turnspoint; (cause to) take turns
Rotating vegetable crops helps to Rotating vegetable crops helps to reduce the risk of disease. reduce the risk of disease.
It was agreed that the Presidency It was agreed that the Presidency would rotate among members of the would rotate among members of the major groups.major groups.
Dashboard moldDashboard mold
A panel under the windshield of a A panel under the windshield of a vehicle, containing indicator dials, vehicle, containing indicator dials, compartments, and sometimes compartments, and sometimes control instruments.control instruments.
injectinject
Drive or force a drug, etc (into sth) with a syringe;Drive or force a drug, etc (into sth) with a syringe; introduce (new thoughts, etc) (used in the pat introduce (new thoughts, etc) (used in the pattern: tern: be injected with be injected with or or inject sth into sth elsinject sth into sth elsee))
His son was injected with strong drugs by the kidHis son was injected with strong drugs by the kidnappers. nappers.
The technique consists of injecting healthy cells iThe technique consists of injecting healthy cells into the weakened muscles. nto the weakened muscles.
A competition was set up to inject some friendly A competition was set up to inject some friendly rivalry into the proceedings. rivalry into the proceedings.
nozzlenozzle
a projecting spout from which fluid is a projecting spout from which fluid is discharged discharged
Infuriatingly Infuriatingly
To a maddening degreeTo a maddening degree
Infuriate: Infuriate: To make furious; enrage. To make furious; enrage.
gesturegesture
The movement of the hand or head to indiThe movement of the hand or head to indicate or illustrate an idea, feeling, etc; sth cate or illustrate an idea, feeling, etc; sth done to convey an intentiondone to convey an intention
In western countries, the thumb raised up In western countries, the thumb raised up is a gesture of approval or agreement. is a gesture of approval or agreement.
We should invite them to our house, as a gWe should invite them to our house, as a gesture of friendship. esture of friendship.
gesturegesture
Make or use a gesture; express with a Make or use a gesture; express with a gesturegesture
When he asked where the children When he asked where the children were, she gestured vaguely in the were, she gestured vaguely in the direction of the beach. direction of the beach.
The head of our department gestured The head of our department gestured me over to the seat next to her. me over to the seat next to her.
cutecute
Attractive; pretty and charming; Attractive; pretty and charming; sharp-witted; quick-thinking.sharp-witted; quick-thinking.
‘‘Bambi’ is a typical Walt Disney film Bambi’ is a typical Walt Disney film with cute wide-eyed cartoon animals. with cute wide-eyed cartoon animals.
He thinks it is cute to tell those sexist He thinks it is cute to tell those sexist stories. stories.
squirtsquirt
To issue forth in a thin forceful To issue forth in a thin forceful stream or jet; spurt. stream or jet; spurt.
protrudeprotrude
(cause to) stick out or project(cause to) stick out or project
The broken bone protruded through The broken bone protruded through the man’s skin. the man’s skin.
Nails protruded from the board and Nails protruded from the board and had to be removed for safety.had to be removed for safety.
In placeIn place
In the usual or proper positionIn the usual or proper position
We’d better use clamps to hold the We’d better use clamps to hold the wood in placewood in place
Everything is in place: the books on Everything is in place: the books on their shelves, the pictures on the their shelves, the pictures on the walls and the cushions on the sofa. walls and the cushions on the sofa.
Ad infinitumAd infinitum
if something happens or continues ad if something happens or continues ad infinitum, it happens again and again infinitum, it happens again and again in the same way, or it continues in the same way, or it continues foreverforever
The TV station just shows repeats of The TV station just shows repeats of old comedy programmes ad old comedy programmes ad infinitum.infinitum. Her list of complaints went Her list of complaints went on and on ad infinitum.on and on ad infinitum.
panelpanel
Board or other surface for controls and instruBoard or other surface for controls and instruments; group of experts or judgesments; group of experts or judges
He couldn’t understand the aeroplane’s coHe couldn’t understand the aeroplane’s control panels.ntrol panels.
The panel is made up of MPs from the three mThe panel is made up of MPs from the three main political parties. ain political parties.
The competition will be judged by a panel of eThe competition will be judged by a panel of experts.xperts.
Steering wheelSteering wheel
Wiper wandWiper wand
wandwand
wave a magic wandwave a magic wand to solve a to solve a difficult problem with no effort difficult problem with no effort Unfortunately, you can't just wave a Unfortunately, you can't just wave a magic wand and get rid of poverty.magic wand and get rid of poverty.
Gauge Gauge
a. a. A standard or scale of A standard or scale of measurement.measurement.
b. b. A standard dimension, quantity, or A standard dimension, quantity, or capacity.capacity.
To measure precisely.To measure precisely. 2. 2. To determine the capacity, To determine the capacity,
volume, or contents of.volume, or contents of. 3. 3. To evaluate or judge: To evaluate or judge: gauge a gauge a
person's ability.person's ability.
Burst outBurst out
Suddenly begin to; exclaimSuddenly begin to; exclaim
Everyone thought about the joke for Everyone thought about the joke for a couple of seconds, then burst out a couple of seconds, then burst out laughing. laughing.
““I hate you! I hate you!” she burst I hate you! I hate you!” she burst out loud. out loud.
An array of An array of
An orderly, often imposing An orderly, often imposing arrangement: arrangement: an array of royal an array of royal jewels.jewels.
2. 2. An impressively large number, as An impressively large number, as of persons or objects: of persons or objects: an array of an array of heavily armed troops; an array of heavily armed troops; an array of spare parts.spare parts.
Bins of screwsBins of screws
A container or enclosed space for A container or enclosed space for storage storage
workstandworkstand
vibratevibrate
shake, quiver, or throb; move back shake, quiver, or throb; move back and forth rapidly, usually in an and forth rapidly, usually in an uncontrolled manner uncontrolled manner
underfootunderfoot
Under one’s feet; on the groundUnder one’s feet; on the ground
The grass was damp and soft The grass was damp and soft underfoot.underfoot.
It’s muddy underfoot after the It’s muddy underfoot after the drizzle.drizzle.
duckduck
Move quickly down (to avoid being Move quickly down (to avoid being seen or hit)seen or hit)
The boy ducked behind the wall The boy ducked behind the wall when he saw his teacher.when he saw his teacher.
Josie saw the rock coming and Josie saw the rock coming and ducked, but it struck her on the ear.ducked, but it struck her on the ear.
Ducked one’s headDucked one’s head
Craned one’s neckCraned one’s neck
Power wrenchPower wrench
inexorableinexorable
Relentless; continuing unstoppablyRelentless; continuing unstoppably
The country’s manufacturing industry The country’s manufacturing industry seems to be in an inexorable decline. seems to be in an inexorable decline.
During 1939 the approach of war During 1939 the approach of war seemed inexorable. seemed inexorable.
malevolencemalevolence
wishing evil to others; the quality of wishing evil to others; the quality of threatening evil threatening evil
Malice; malfunction, Malice; malfunction,
Logic-defyingLogic-defying
1. a. 1. a. To oppose or resist with boldness To oppose or resist with boldness and assurance: and assurance: defied the blockade by defied the blockade by sailing straight through it.sailing straight through it.
b. b. To refuse to submit to or cooperate To refuse to submit to or cooperate with: with: defied the court order by leaving the defied the court order by leaving the country.country.
2. 2. To be unaffected by; resist or To be unaffected by; resist or withstand: withstand: "So the plague defied all "So the plague defied all medicines"medicines" Daniel Defoe.Daniel Defoe.
procedureprocedure
Order of doing things; a set of actions necessarOrder of doing things; a set of actions necessary for doing sth properlyy for doing sth properly
It is very important to follow the safety procedIt is very important to follow the safety procedures laid down in the handbook.ures laid down in the handbook.
The Personnel Officer will tell you what the prThe Personnel Officer will tell you what the procedure is for applying for a transfer.ocedure is for applying for a transfer.
Sorry about the body-search. It is just a standaSorry about the body-search. It is just a standard procedure. rd procedure.
showstoppershowstopper
something that is strikingly attractive something that is strikingly attractive or has great popular appeal;or has great popular appeal;
"she has a show-stopper of a smile"; "she has a show-stopper of a smile"; "the brilliant orange flowers against "the brilliant orange flowers against the green foliage were a the green foliage were a showstopper" showstopper"
Down pat Down pat
understood perfectly understood perfectly
manifestmanifest
ListList
Manifests must be submitted by the Manifests must be submitted by the 24th of every month. 24th of every month.
Will you please make out the Will you please make out the manifest for the tubing to my manifest for the tubing to my company?company?
Adjective Adjective
Clear and obviousClear and obvious
It was manifest to all of us that he It was manifest to all of us that he would fail.would fail.
There may be unrecognized cases of There may be unrecognized cases of manifest injustice of which we are manifest injustice of which we are unaware. unaware.
V. show clearly (often used in the V. show clearly (often used in the pattern: pattern: manifest itself inmanifest itself in))
There is nothing hidden which shall There is nothing hidden which shall not be manifested.not be manifested.
With the arrival of a new baby, With the arrival of a new baby, jealousy in the older child often jealousy in the older child often manifests itself in emotional manifests itself in emotional detachment from the family. detachment from the family.
sedansedan
wagonwagon
jamjam
To drive or wedge forcibly into a tight To drive or wedge forcibly into a tight position: position: jammed the cork in the jammed the cork in the bottle.bottle.
sheathsheath
covercover
modulemodule
Unit of components used in assembly; Unit of components used in assembly; independent and self-contained unit independent and self-contained unit of a spacecraftof a spacecraft
Each module is made separately, and Each module is made separately, and the completed modules are then the completed modules are then joined together. joined together.
A rescue plan could be achieved by A rescue plan could be achieved by sending an unmanned module to the sending an unmanned module to the space station. space station.
Prefix snapPrefix snap
Made or done suddenly, with little or Made or done suddenly, with little or no preparation: no preparation: a snap decision.a snap decision.
Back and forthBack and forth
To and froTo and fro
Many people were going back and Many people were going back and forth along the corridor of the forth along the corridor of the hospital.hospital.
Bitter and cruel remarks flew back Bitter and cruel remarks flew back and forth between them. and forth between them.
The other way aroundThe other way around
Reversed or inverted; the opposite of Reversed or inverted; the opposite of what is expectedwhat is expected
Usually regular work pays better per Usually regular work pays better per hour than part-time, but sometimes hour than part-time, but sometimes it can be the other way around.it can be the other way around.
How would Sally’s husband have felt How would Sally’s husband have felt if it had been the other way around—if it had been the other way around—if she’d treated him so badly.if she’d treated him so badly.
circularcircular
a.a. Round or curved in shape; moving Round or curved in shape; moving roundround
The full moon has a circular shape. The full moon has a circular shape.
We took a fairly circular route around We took a fairly circular route around the continent, ending where we had the continent, ending where we had started.started.
Printed letter, announcement, etc of Printed letter, announcement, etc of which many copies are made and which many copies are made and distributeddistributed
I always put circulars and other junk I always put circulars and other junk mail straight in the bin.mail straight in the bin.
Several circulars advertising new Several circulars advertising new shops in the town were delivered shops in the town were delivered with the local newspaper. with the local newspaper.
yankyank
To pull with a quick, strong To pull with a quick, strong movement; jerk: movement; jerk: yanked the yanked the emergency cord.emergency cord.
By handBy hand
Without the use of machineryWithout the use of machinery
All the furniture in this shop is made by All the furniture in this shop is made by hand.hand.
We had to make the corrections by We had to make the corrections by hand as the computer wouldn’t do hand as the computer wouldn’t do them for us. them for us.
flapflap
1. 1. A flat, usually thin piece attached A flat, usually thin piece attached at only one side.at only one side.
2. 2. A projecting or hanging piece A projecting or hanging piece usually intended to double over and usually intended to double over and protect or cover: protect or cover: the flap of an the flap of an envelope.envelope.
straystray
Wander from the task at hand; lose Wander from the task at hand; lose one’s way (often followed by one’s way (often followed by fromfrom))
Don’t let any of the smaller children Don’t let any of the smaller children stray away from the park.stray away from the park.
When you are explaining your When you are explaining your reasons, be careful not to stray from reasons, be careful not to stray from the main point.the main point.
a.a. Lost; seen or happening Lost; seen or happening occasionallyoccasionally
His drawers are full of stray socks.His drawers are full of stray socks.
It was reported that an 8-year-old boy It was reported that an 8-year-old boy was killed by a stray bullet.was killed by a stray bullet.
n. Domestic animal that has lost its n. Domestic animal that has lost its wayway
The dog was a stray which had been The dog was a stray which had been adopted.adopted.
A lot of stray dogs are pets that have A lot of stray dogs are pets that have been given as Christmas presents been given as Christmas presents and then abandoned. and then abandoned.
Bear on/uponBear on/upon
Move quickly towards (sb or sth) in a threateninMove quickly towards (sb or sth) in a threatening way; press down on; exert pressure ong way; press down on; exert pressure on
He saw her figure bearing down on him from the He saw her figure bearing down on him from the other end of the corridor.other end of the corridor.
Don’t bear down so hard on your pencil.Don’t bear down so hard on your pencil.If he bears down on others, it is because he is boIf he bears down on others, it is because he is bo
rne down on. rne down on.
lungelunge
Make a sudden forward movementMake a sudden forward movement
She lunged towards the door when it She lunged towards the door when it opened a crack.opened a crack.
He lunged at the burglar and He lunged at the burglar and wrestled with him for the weapon.wrestled with him for the weapon.
Cultural Notes Cultural Notes Charlie Chaplin (1889-1977)Charlie Chaplin (1889-1977)
An English film actor and director who did most of his work in the U.S. Most people consider him the greatest comic actor of the silent cinema. He appeared in many of his films as the best-known character he created, a little tramp with a small round hat, a small moustache and trousers and shoes that are too big for him, causing him to walk in a funny way.
Charlie ChaplinCharlie Chaplin
He made many short comic films, He made many short comic films, such as such as The kid (1921), The kid (1921), and several and several longer films, such as longer films, such as City Lights City Lights (1931) (1931) and and Modern Times (1936)Modern Times (1936), , which combined comedy with social which combined comedy with social and political comments. He as made and political comments. He as made a Knight in 1975. a Knight in 1975.
Modern Times Modern Times
A comedy film which Charlie Chaplin wrote A comedy film which Charlie Chaplin wrote and directed as well as acting that main and directed as well as acting that main part. part.
It was the last timeIt was the last time
he used his Little Tramphe used his Little Tramp
Character. Character. The film is an attack on the useThe film is an attack on the use
of machines in modern factoriesof machines in modern factories
and the bad treatment of factoryand the bad treatment of factory
Workers.Workers.
Working on the assembly line, Charlie is driven crazy by the pace of the machine and the tough manner of his foreman. In his fantasy, Charlie gets a tick that makes him move like a machine. Stuck on a conveyer belt, he runs through the machine and becomes part of it.
What this fantasy triggers off your mind? On its first appearance, it could be the factory floor, with its automatism, standardization and specialization, its rationalism, its technology and its routine. On second thoughts, it could also be the robotization, the dehumanization, the depersonalization of the worker.
Put to rights/rightPut to rights/right
Correct (sb or sth); make a situation etc reCorrect (sb or sth); make a situation etc return to normal again turn to normal again
Could the psychiatrist put all their troubleCould the psychiatrist put all their troubles again?s again?
A day’s rest would put me right. A day’s rest would put me right. The only way we can really put things righThe only way we can really put things righ
t is by borrowing even more money.t is by borrowing even more money.
Have/get the hang of sthHave/get the hang of sth
Learn how to operate or do sth; see the Learn how to operate or do sth; see the meaning of sth said or writtenmeaning of sth said or written
I’ve finally got the hang of the programI’ve finally got the hang of the programming. ming.
Using the computer isn’t difficult once Using the computer isn’t difficult once you get the hang of it. you get the hang of it.
Sleep: multiple meaning Sleep: multiple meaning 1. a. 1. a. To move smoothly, easily, and quietly: To move smoothly, easily, and quietly: slipped into slipped into
bed.bed. b. b. To move stealthily; steal.To move stealthily; steal. 2. 2. To pass gradually, easily, or imperceptibly: To pass gradually, easily, or imperceptibly: "It is "It is
necessary to write, if the days are not to slip emptily by"necessary to write, if the days are not to slip emptily by" Vita Sackville-West.Vita Sackville-West.
3. a. 3. a. To slide involuntarily and lose one's balance or To slide involuntarily and lose one's balance or foothold. See Synonyms at foothold. See Synonyms at slideslide..
b. b. To slide out of place; shift position: To slide out of place; shift position: The gear slipped.The gear slipped. 4. 4. To escape, as from a grasp, fastening, or restraint: To escape, as from a grasp, fastening, or restraint:
slipped away from his pursuers.slipped away from his pursuers. 5. 5. To decline from a former or standard level; fall off.To decline from a former or standard level; fall off. 6. 6. To fall behind a scheduled production rate.To fall behind a scheduled production rate.
reelreel
Become dizzy or confused; move Become dizzy or confused; move unsteadily; staggerunsteadily; stagger
Dozens of opportunities suddenly Dozens of opportunities suddenly opened up, and my mind was reeling. opened up, and my mind was reeling.
She began to reel and then she She began to reel and then she fainted.fainted.
fumblefumble
Search (for sth) by feeling about awkwardlSearch (for sth) by feeling about awkwardly with the hands; handle sth clumsilyy with the hands; handle sth clumsily
She fumbled about in the dark for the light She fumbled about in the dark for the light switch.switch.
He fumbled the catch and the ball droppeHe fumbled the catch and the ball dropped on the groundd on the ground
tightentighten
Make or become tighterMake or become tighter
He bent down and tightened his He bent down and tightened his shoelaces.shoelaces.
The bolt is coming loose; it needs The bolt is coming loose; it needs tightening up. tightening up.
anewanew
Again; in a new or different wayAgain; in a new or different way
She made a few mistakes and had to She made a few mistakes and had to write it anew.write it anew.
After the scandal they thought the After the scandal they thought the best way to start anew was to move best way to start anew was to move to another town.to another town.
foulfoul
(cause to) become filthy; do sth contrary t(cause to) become filthy; do sth contrary to the rules (in sports)o the rules (in sports)
We suspected that the cattle had fouled thWe suspected that the cattle had fouled the river. e river.
He was cautioned for fouling an opponent.He was cautioned for fouling an opponent.
a.a. Having a bad smell or taste; Having a bad smell or taste; causing disgust; filthycausing disgust; filthy
There was a foul smell coming up from There was a foul smell coming up from the river. the river.
Cars are to blame for the foul smog Cars are to blame for the foul smog that covers the city.that covers the city.
Foul upFoul up
Spoil; mess upSpoil; mess up
People allowing their animals to foul up People allowing their animals to foul up the footpaths will be prosecuted.the footpaths will be prosecuted.
This time he really fouled up the This time he really fouled up the interview.interview.
squintsquint
Look at sideways or with half-shut eyes Look at sideways or with half-shut eyes or through a narrow openingor through a narrow opening
The sudden bright light made him The sudden bright light made him squintsquint
She shaded her eyes and squinted at She shaded her eyes and squinted at the sky.the sky.
See doubleSee double
See two things when there is oneSee two things when there is one
She was seeing double from drinking She was seeing double from drinking so much wine. so much wine.
For 35 minutes I was walking around in For 35 minutes I was walking around in a daze, I was dizzy, seeing double. a daze, I was dizzy, seeing double.
Call it quitsCall it quits
Decide to abandon an activity or Decide to abandon an activity or ventureventure
Now I’ve decided to call it quits and Now I’ve decided to call it quits and get a divorce.get a divorce.
Take a million bucks and call it quits.Take a million bucks and call it quits.
ring down the curtainring down the curtain To end a To end a performance, event, or action.performance, event, or action.
ring up the curtain To begin a performance, event, or
action.
mementomemento
A reminder of the past; a keepsake. A reminder of the past; a keepsake.
sereneserene
Calm and peaceful; tranquilCalm and peaceful; tranquil
What amazes me is his serene What amazes me is his serene indifference to all the trouble around indifference to all the trouble around him.him.
The woods were reflected in the The woods were reflected in the serene lake. serene lake.
soothesoothe
Make quiet or calm; comfort; make Make quiet or calm; comfort; make (pains, etc) less sharp or severe(pains, etc) less sharp or severe
When the baby cried his mother When the baby cried his mother soothed him by stroking his hot little soothed him by stroking his hot little head. head.
Maybe a drink would help soothe Maybe a drink would help soothe your nerves.your nerves.
giddygiddy
Having or causing the feeling that Having or causing the feeling that everything is turning round and that everything is turning round and that one’s going to fallone’s going to fall
She suddenly became giddy and had She suddenly became giddy and had to find somewhere to sit down.to find somewhere to sit down.
Just before I fainted I had a giddy Just before I fainted I had a giddy sensation and felt unable to stand. sensation and felt unable to stand.
Play hookyPlay hooky
to fail to attend school or some other to fail to attend school or some other event. event. Why aren't you in school? Are Why aren't you in school? Are you playing hooky?you playing hooky? I don't have time I don't have time for the sales meeting today, so I for the sales meeting today, so I think I'll just play hooky.think I'll just play hooky.
complexitycomplexity
State of being complex; complex State of being complex; complex thingthing
He hadn’t appreciated the He hadn’t appreciated the complexity of the situation.complexity of the situation.
The complexities of modern life were The complexities of modern life were too much for him.too much for him.