2. Unit 4 & 5 TEXT I THE LADY, OR THE TIGER? Frank R. Stockton TEXT II THE PRINCESS AND THE TIN BOX James Thurber MRS.PACKLETIDE ’ S TIGER Saki

3. Pre-reading activities The articles in these two units are three interesting and instructive stories. So, what ’ s your knowledge of a story? What are the elements of a story? Its purposes? And how is a story usually organized/constructed? Work in pairs to voice your views on this subject so that you may have an idea about it.

4. The elements of a story Time Place Character(s) Action Theme

5. The structure of a story Beginning: Middle section: Ending: when/where/who,back- ground information mood-setting what happen climax-reaching conclusion, comments-making, theme-presenting

6. THE LADY, OR THE TIGER? Frank R. Stockton TEXT I

7. Pre-reading elicitation When and where do you think the story happened? Do you have any idea about the scenes of the story? Pictures and video show of the famous ancient Roman amphitheatre — Colosseum/Circus Maximus/ Flavian Amphitheatre

9. Rome ’ s Colosseum Completed time: in AD 80 Form/shape & size: elliptical, 189 m long and 156 m wide. Its exterior, 47 m high, is a three- storied arcade surmounted by a fourth story pierced with windowlike openings. Seating capacity: 50,000 spectators The elliptical arena inside: 85 m long and 53 m wide

10. Amphitheatres were found throughout the Roman Empire, but Colosseum of Rome is the grandest of all. This huge, open air arena staged gladiatorial combats, animal hunts, public executions and even mock naval battles in which thousands of gladiators and wild beast met a bloody death. Combats between gladiators in the Colosseum were abolished in ad 404.

11. Video show The working process of the Colosseum awning

12. While-reading task The two texts work as a complete story. Now read them through as a whole and then (1) try to clarify the elements of the story; (2) work out the development or the construction of the story.

13. The elements of the story Time: Place: Character(s): Actions: Theme: in the very olden time a barbaric king ’ s arena the king & his daughter the king ’ s method of administering justice & the trial of his daughter ’ s lover human tragedies bound to result in such a barbarism- dominating kingdom

14. The construction of the story Opening scene: Middle section: Ending: Presenting background information of the king and his style of ruling (setting) A young man falling in love with her daughter and thus brought to the court/ have to open one of the twin doors (climax) Which will come out? Tiger or lady? ( ending without an end)

15. Further reading interpretation Try to identify the para(s) in which the followings are described:

16. Descriptions: (in unit4) The quality/personality of the king: The purpose of the king ’ s arena: The king ’ s method of administering justice: Comments upon its effects: pa.1-2 Pa.3 Pa.4-6 Pa.7-8

17. Further reading comprehension-unit5 Why was the trial of the young courtier so special an occasion? What is described in paras. 5 to 6? --the psychology of the princess Where does the story reach its climax? And how? --In para. 10. Para.7-9 pave the way to the climax

18. What has the writer done in paras. 13-16? How are these paragraphs related to the preceding one? --Vividly depicting the conflicting thought of the princess, illustrating the combined fires of despair and jealousy. The elaborations of para.12.

19. Post-reading activities The author ended the story in an unconventional way which produces an unexpected effect. Now work in groups of four or five to retell the story by presenting different endings to it. Then share your group ’ s version with others. Use your imagination !

20. Two different types of and-phrases: Type 1: manly and beastly valor — manly valor and also beastly valor Type 2: polished and sharpened; refined and cultured

21. After-class activities Translate para. 14 of unit5 into Chinese. Read the two stories in TEXT II and figure out the moral implied in the stories. Movie-viewing: gladiator

22. 然而，又有多少次她在幻想着他就 站在另一扇门前！每当她幻想着他打那 扇美女之门时那种欣喜若狂的神情时， 她就会情不自禁地咬牙切齿起来，并撕 扯着头发，内心是何等的痛苦啊！每当 幻想着他奔向那个因激动而满脸通红、 两眼闪烁着胜利火花的女人时；每当幻 想着他领她前行，周身洋溢着那种死而 复生的喜悦之情时；每当幻想着自己听 到来自人群的欢呼声和那响切云霄的幸 福钟声时；每当

23. 幻想着自己眼睁睁地看着牧师在兴 高采烈的信徒的簇拥下走向那对新 人，并宣布他们为夫妻时；每当幻 想着自己目睹他们一起沿着那撒满 鲜花的道路缓缓离去，身后是欢闹 的人群铺天盖地 的欢呼声，而她那 一声绝望的尖叫被淹没其中时，她 的心灵又是如何地遭受着痛苦的煎 熬！