Unit Four Book SixUnit Four Book Six

The Meaning of Work The Meaning of Work

Meaning of WorkMeaning of WorkIt'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, forgettin

g 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 OnePara 1Para 1

The 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.

injectinjectDrive 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 intentionIn 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 obviousIt 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 onHe 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 borne 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 timehe used his Little Tramphe used his Little TrampCharacter. Character. The film is an attack on the useThe film is an attack on the useof machines in modern factoriesof machines in modern factoriesand the bad treatment of factoryand the bad treatment of factoryWorkers.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 right 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 clumsilyShe 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.