(共38张PPT)
UNIT 6 THE MEDIA
Section Ⅴ Writing
1.通过阅读，熟悉英语影评写作的文体特征,并掌握其写作方法及策略。（语言能力，学习能力）
2.能够借助已知的关键信息,适当补充辅助信息,写好英语影评。（语言能力）
影 评
本单元的写作任务要求写一篇影评。一般来说，影评属于夹叙夹议文。这种文体主要用一般现在时介绍剧情内容及发表自己的看法，但当叙述什么时候观看或电影曾获得什么奖项时可采用过去时态。
探究点1 教材范例提炼
课文范例
素材积累
Ⅰ.影片概述
1.The main characters are...
2.The film tells us a real story.
3.The film...directed by...is a story about...
4.The film...is set in...
5.The film is a love/romantic/moving story.
Ⅱ.好的评价
1.This is a very touching film.
2....gives an amazing performance in the film.
3.My favourite part of the film is...
4.Even with these small problems, the film is still a great film, and I really enjoy it!
Ⅲ.不好的评价
1.However, many people have complained that the film is too...
2.Another common complaint is that the film...
3.I'm disappointed with the film because...
探究点2 写作应用体验
写作典例
电影《哈利·波特与魔法石》是根据英国作家J.K.Rowling的小说改编而成的。请根据下表中的提示写一篇影评。
片名 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
导演 Chris Columbus
主演 Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson
故事梗概 _________________________________
哈利从小失去双亲,在姨母家受到虐待。11岁生日时,他受邀前往霍格沃茨
魔法学院学习魔法。哈利在那里经历了许多冒险和神奇的事情,学会了如
何获得真正的友谊,也学会了勇敢
我的评价 这是一部非常成功的电影,它风靡全世界。通过这部电影,我们应该学会信
任自己和帮助别人
(续表)
注意:1.词数150左右；
2.可以适当增加细节,以使行文连贯。
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
分步推进
Step 1 审题谋篇
体裁 议论文
主题 影评
人称 第三人称
时态 一般现在时，一般过去时
布局 第一部分：背景简介
第二部分：情节概述
第三部分：发表评论
Step 2 要点翻译
1.翻译词汇
（1）_________________ adv. 幸运的是
fortunately/luckily
（2）_________________ 根据;以……为基础
be based on/upon
（3）_______________ 受到虐待
be badly treated
（4）_______________ 受到……的欢迎
be popular with
（5）_________________ 全世界
all over the world
（6）___________ adj. 值得做的
worthwhile
2.翻译句子
（1）《哈利·波特与魔法石》是一部奇幻影片。
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is ______________.
a fantasy film
（2）影片基于英国作家J.K.罗琳的小说,是由克里斯·哥伦布执导的。
The film ____________ the novel of the English writer J.K.Rowling and directed by
Chris Columbus.
is based on
（3）哈利从小失去双亲,在姨母家受到虐待。
Harry lost his parents at a young age and _________________at his aunt's house.
was badly treated
（4）但幸运的是,11岁生日时,他受邀前往霍格沃茨魔法学院,在那里他学会了魔法。
But __________, on his birthday of eleven, he ______________ go to Hogwarts
School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, a magic school _______he learned magic.
fortunately
was invited to
where
（5）哈利在那里经历了很多冒险和神奇的事情,学会了如何获得真正的友谊,也学会了
勇敢。
Harry experienced many adventurous and wonderful things there. He learned
___________ true friendship and ___________ brave.
how to get
how to be
（6）他的老师和同学都很友好,互相帮助。
His teachers and classmates _______________________ each other and helped each
other.
were all quite friendly to
（7）《哈利·波特与魔法石》是一个巨大的成功,它受到世界各地人们的欢迎。
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is _______________ and it _______________
people all over the world.
a great success
is popular with
（8）这部电影值得看。通过这部电影,我们应该学会相信自己和帮助别人。
It's worthwhile _______________. Through it, we should learn to __________
ourselves and help others.
to see the film
believe in
Step 3 句式升级
1.用 which 引导的非限制性定语从句连接上题中的句（1）和句（2）
___________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is a fantasy film, which is based on the novel of the English writer J.K.Rowling and directed by Chris Columbus.
2.用 who引导的非限制性定语从句改写上题中的句（3）
_________________________________________________________________________
Harry, who lost his parents at a young age, was badly treated at his aunt's house.
3.用 after 引导时间状语从句改写上题中的句（5）
___________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________
After experiencing many adventurous and wonderful things there, Harry learned how to get true friendship and how to be brave.
Step 4 连句成篇
利用以上几个句子,加上恰当的连接词和过渡句,必要时可以改变句式,使之成为一篇连贯的文章。
参考范文
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is a fantasy film, which is based on the novel of the English writer J.K.Rowling and directed by Chris Columbus. In the film, there are three main actors—Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson.
In the movie, Harry, who lost his parents at a young age, was badly treated at his aunt's house. But fortunately, on his birthday of eleven, he was invited to go to
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and wizardry, a magic school where he learned magic. It was a world full of magic and wonders. After experiencing many adventurous and wonderful things there, Harry learned how to get true friendship and how to be brave. His teachers and classmates were all quite friendly to each other and helped each other. They finally became good friends, and Harry Potter became a self-confident and brave boy.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is a great success and it's popular with people all over the world. It's worthwhile to see the film. Through it, we should learn to believe in ourselves and help others.
主题写作
假定你是李华，你校英语报开设了一个介绍影视作品的专栏，请根据下面表格中的提示为该栏目写一篇关于电影《流浪地球》的影评。
片名 《流浪地球》（The Wandering Earth）
导演 郭帆
故事梗 概 该片改编于刘慈欣的同名小说。影片故事背景设定在2075年，讲述了太阳
即将毁灭，太阳系已经不适合人类生存，面对绝境，人们将开启“流浪地
球”计划，试图带着地球一起逃离太阳系，寻找人类的新家园这样一个故事
评论 该电影是中国科幻电影史上的里程碑，自上映以来，深受观众欢迎
注意：1.词数80左右；
2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
参考词汇：里程碑landmark
___
参考范文
The Wandering Earth is a science fiction film directed by Guo Fan and adapted from Liu Cixin's novel of the same name.
The film, set in 2075, tells the story that the sun is dying and the solar system is no longer suitable for life. Faced with the danger of human extinction, people will start the “Wandering Earth” project, trying to escape from the solar system with the earth and looking for a new home for human beings.
The film is a landmark in the history of Chinese science fiction films and has been popular with the audience since its release. So I highly recommend this film.
1.Don't judge a book by its cover. （Never judge from appearances.）
人不可貌相。
2.As far as I'm aware, we are supposed to earn money by working hard and we shouldn't be too greedy for wealth.
据我所知, 我们应该通过辛勤劳动来赚钱, 而且我们不应该对财富太贪婪。
3.In China, as with any culture, there are rules and customs that surround what is appropriate and what is not when dining, whether it is in a restaurant or in someone's home.
同其他国家文化一样, 在中国, 无论是在餐馆还是在家, 用餐时都有很多规矩和习俗, 规定什么是合适的, 什么是不合适的。
4.We live in an age when more information is available with greater ease than ever before.
我们生活在一个比以往更容易获得更多信息的时代。
5.If any of these symptoms occurs while you are taking the medicine, consult your doctor immediately.
在服药期间如果出现这些症状中的任何一个,请立即咨询你的医生。
美篇导读
在《母亲的礼物》中作者通过回忆儿时与母亲在一起的点点滴滴，真正明白了一个人在成长的不同时期，母亲的陪伴和鼓励才是人世间最美的礼物。
美篇呈现
My Mother's Gift
Suzanne Chazin
I grew up in a small town where the elementary school was a ten-minute walk from my house and in an age，not so long ago，when children could go home for lunch and find their mothers waiting.
At the time，I did not consider this a luxury①，although today it certainly would be. I took it for granted② that mothers were the sandwich-makers，the finger-painting appreciators and the homework monitors. I never questioned that this ambitious，intelligent woman，who had had a career before I was born and would eventually return to a career，would spend almost every lunch hour throughout my elementary school years just with me.
I only knew that when the noon bell rang，I would race breathlessly③ home. My mother would be standing at the top of the stairs，smiling down at me with a look that suggested I was the only important thing she had on her mind. For this，I am forever grateful.
Some sounds bring it all back：the high-pitched squeal of my mother's teakettle，the rumble of the washing machine in the basement， and the jangle of my dog's license tags as she bounded down the stairs to greet me. Our time together seemed devoid of the gerrymandered schedules that now pervade my life.
One lunchtime when I was in the third grade will stay with me always. I had been picked to be the princess in the school play，and for weeks my mother had painstakingly④ rehearsed⑤ my lines with me. But no matter how easily I delivered them at home，as soon as I stepped on stage，every word disappeared from my head.
Finally，my teacher took me aside. She explained that she had written a narrator's part to the play，and asked me to switch roles. Her words， kindly delivered， still stung， especially when I saw my part go to another girl.
I didn't tell my mother what had happened when I went home for lunch that day. But she sensed my unease⑥，and instead of suggesting we practice my lines，she asked if I wanted to walk in the yard.
It was a lovely spring day and the rose vine on the trellis was turning green. Under the huge elm trees，we could see yellow dandelions popping through the grass in bunches，as if a painter had touched our landscape with dabs of gold.
I watched my mother casually bend down by one of the clumps，“I think I'm going to dig up all these weeds，”she said，yanking a blossom，up by it's roots.“From now on，we'll have only roses in this garden.”
“But I like dandelions，”I protested.“All flowers are beautiful—even dandelions.”
My mother looked at me seriously.“Yes，every flower gives pleasure in its own way，doesn't it？”she asked thoughtfully⑦.I nodded，pleased that I had won her over.“And that is true of people too，”she added.“Not everyone can be a princess，but there is no shame in that.”
Relieved that she had guessed my pain，I started to cry as I told her what had happened. She listened and smiled reassuringly⑧.
“But you will be a beautiful narrator，”she said，reminding me of how much I loved to read stories aloud to her.“The narrator's part is every bit as important as the part of the princess.”
Over the next few weeks，with her constant encouragement，I learned to take pride in the role. Lunchtimes were spent reading over my lines and talking about what I would wear.
Backstage the night of the performance，I felt nervous. A few minutes before the play，my teacher came over to me.“Your mother asked me to give this to you，” she said，handing me a dandelion. Its edges were already beginning to curl and it flopped lazily from its stem. But just looking at it，knowing my mother was out there and thinking of our lunchtime talk，made me proud.
After the play，I took home the flower I had stuffed in the apron of my costume. My mother pressed it between two sheets of paper toweling in a dictionary，laughing as she did it that we were perhaps the only people who would press such a sorry-looking weed.
母亲的礼物
苏珊妮·蔡津
我是在一个小镇上长大的，从镇上的小学到我家只需要步行十分钟。在距今不算太久远的那个时代，小学生可以回家吃午饭，而他们的母亲则会在家等候着。
这一切对如今的孩子来说，无疑是一种奢望，可是那时的我，却并不以为然。我觉得母亲给孩子做三明治、鉴赏手指画和检查家庭作业都是理所当然的事。我从来没有想过：我母亲既有抱负，又很聪明。在我出生之前，她有份工作，而且最终她也会重返职场。可是，在我上小学那几年，她几乎天天陪着我吃午饭，一同打发午餐时的每一分钟。
我只知道中午放学铃声一响，我就一口气跑回家。母亲总是站在最高的那级台阶上，笑盈盈地望着我——那神情分明表示：我便是母亲心目中唯一最重要的人。为此，我一辈子都对母亲感激不尽。
如今，每当我听到一些声音，像母亲那把茶壶发出的尖叫声、地下室洗衣机的隆隆声，还有我那条狗蹦下台阶对我摇头摆尾时，脖子上那牌照发出的撞击声，都勾起我对往事的回忆。和母亲在一起的岁月，全然没有现在充斥于我的生活中的、事先排定的日程表。
我永远忘不了在我上三年级时的那顿午饭。原本我被学校选中，要在一个小剧中扮演公主的角色。一连好几个礼拜，母亲总是不辞辛劳地陪着我，一起背诵台词。可是，不管在家里背得再怎么滚瓜烂熟，只要一上舞台，我的脑子里就一片空白。
最终，老师把我叫到了一边。她说剧中旁白员这个角色的台词已写好了，让我换个角色，去当旁白员。尽管老师这些话说得和和气气，可是还是刺痛了我的心，特别是当我发觉自己扮演的公主角色让另一个女孩顶替时，更是如此。
那天回家吃午饭时，我没有把这事告诉母亲。然而，母亲察觉到我心神不定。因此，母亲没有再提练习背台词的事儿，而是问我愿不愿意到院子里散散步。
那真是一个美好的春日，棚架上蔷薇的藤蔓正在转青。在一些高大的榆树下，我们看到，一丛丛黄色的蒲公英冒出草坪，仿佛是一位画家给眼前的美景加上的点点金色。
我看到母亲在一簇花丛旁漫不经心地弯下腰来。“我看得把这些野草都拔了，”她说着，一边使劲把一丛蒲公英连根拔起，“往后咱这园子里只让长蔷薇花。”
“可是我喜欢蒲公英，”我不满地说，“凡是花都好看——蒲公英也不例外。”
母亲严肃地看着我。“噢，这么说每朵花都自有它赏心悦目的地方喽？”她若有所思地问道。我点了点头，总算说服了母亲，这使我很得意。“那么人也一样呀！”母亲接着又发话，“不见得人人都能当公主，但当不了公主并不丢脸。”
母亲猜到了我的苦恼，这使我如释重负。我哭了起来，把事情的经过讲给母亲听。母亲专注地听着，脸上带着安详的微笑。
“但你会成为一名很好的旁白员，”母亲又说。她说平常我是多么喜欢朗诵故事给她听，还说：“不管从哪方面看，旁白员这个角色都和公主的角色一样重要。”
接下来的几个星期，在母亲不断的鼓励下，我渐渐地为担任旁白员的角色感到骄傲。利用午饭的时间，我们又一起念台词，谈论到时我该穿什么样的演出服装。
演出的那个晚上，我在后台，心里格外紧张。离演出只差几分钟了，老师朝我走了过来。“你母亲让我把这个交给你，”说着她递过来一朵蒲公英。那花儿四周已开始卷曲，花瓣儿从梗上有气无力地耷拉着。可是，只要看一眼，知道母亲就在外面等着，回想起和母亲在午餐时说的那些话，我就感到骄傲。
演出结束后，我把塞在演出服围裙里的那朵蒲公英带回了家。母亲用两张纸巾将花压平，夹在一本字典里。她一边忙碌一边笑着，也许只有我们俩会珍藏这么一朵不起眼的野花吧。
知识积累
①luxury n.奢侈的享受； 不常有的乐趣（或享受、优势）
②take...for granted 认为……理所当然
③breathlessly adv.上气不接下气地；气喘吁吁地
④painstakingly adv.极其仔细地；缜密地
⑤rehearse v.排练；排演
⑥unease n.不安；忧虑；挂念
⑦thoughtfully adv.若有所思地；沉思地；意味深长地
⑧reassuringly adv.安慰地；鼓励地
素养链接
在《母亲的礼物》这篇文章中，对礼物的诠解是呈递进式的。放学后母亲的耐心等候、亲手烹饪的午餐以及陪伴，是儿时母亲礼物的最佳诠释；三年级参加演出，在遭遇角色调换后的心情沮丧之时，母亲的善解人意与合理聪明的疏导方式造就了人世间最美的礼物；苦心陪伴排练以及演出前相赠的蒲公英，是用母爱之礼物告知孩子万物皆可爱。Unit 6 Section Ⅴ Writing
【学习目标】
1.通过阅读,熟悉英语影评写作的文体特征,并掌握其写作方法及策略。(语言能力,学习能力)
2.能够借助已知的关键信息,适当补充辅助信息,写好英语影评。(语言能力)
【合作探究】
写作探究
影 评
本单元的写作任务要求写一篇影评。一般来说,影评属于夹叙夹议文。这种文体主要用一般现在时介绍剧情内容及发表自己的看法,但当叙述什么时候观看或电影曾获得什么奖项时可采用过去时态。
探究点1 教材范例提炼
Ⅰ.影片概述
1.The main characters are...
2.The film tells us a real story.
3.The film...directed by...is a story about...
4.The film...is set in...
5.The film is a love/romantic/moving story.
Ⅱ.好的评价
1.This is a very touching film.
2....gives an amazing performance in the film.
3.My favourite part of the film is...
4.Even with these small problems, the film is still a great film, and I really enjoy it!
Ⅲ.不好的评价
1.However, many people have complained that the film is too...
2.Another common complaint is that the film...
3.I'm disappointed with the film because...
探究点2 写作应用体验
写作典例
电影《哈利·波特与魔法石》是根据英国作家J.K.Rowling的小说改编而成的。请根据下表中的提示写一篇影评。
片名 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
导演 Chris Columbus
主演 Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson
(续表)
故事 梗概 哈利从小失去双亲,在姨母家受到虐待。11岁生日时,他受邀前往霍格沃茨魔法学院学习魔法。哈利在那里经历了许多冒险和神奇的事情,学会了如何获得真正的友谊,也学会了勇敢
我的 评价 这是一部非常成功的电影,它风靡全世界。通过这部电影,我们应该学会信任自己和帮助别人
注意:1.词数150左右;
2.可以适当增加细节,以使行文连贯。
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
分步推进
Step 1 审题谋篇
体裁 议论文
主题 影评
人称 第三人称
时态 一般现在时,一般过去时
布局 第一部分:背景简介 第二部分:情节概述 第三部分:发表评论
Step 2 要点翻译
1.翻译词汇
(1) adv. 幸运的是
(2) 根据;以……为基础
(3) 受到虐待
(4) 受到……的欢迎
(5) 全世界
(6) adj. 值得做的
答案 (1)fortunately/luckily (2)be based on/upon
(3)be badly treated (4)be popular with (5)all over the world (6)worthwhile
2.翻译句子
(1)《哈利·波特与魔法石》是一部奇幻影片。
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is .
(2)影片基于英国作家J.K.罗琳的小说,是由克里斯·哥伦布执导的。
The film the novel of the English writer J.K.Rowling and directed by Chris Columbus.
(3)哈利从小失去双亲,在姨母家受到虐待。
Harry lost his parents at a young age and at his aunt's house.
(4)但幸运的是,11岁生日时,他受邀前往霍格沃茨魔法学院,在那里他学会了魔法。
But , on his birthday of eleven, he go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, a magic school he learned magic.
(5)哈利在那里经历了很多冒险和神奇的事情,学会了如何获得真正的友谊,也学会了勇敢。
Harry experienced many adventurous and wonderful things there. He learned true friendship and brave.
(6)他的老师和同学都很友好,互相帮助。
His teachers and classmates each other and helped each other.
(7)《哈利·波特与魔法石》是一个巨大的成功,它受到世界各地人们的欢迎。
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is and it people all over the world.
(8)这部电影值得看。通过这部电影,我们应该学会相信自己和帮助别人。
It's worthwhile . Through it, we should learn to ourselves and help others.
答案 (1)a fantasy film (2)is based on (3)was badly treated (4)fortunately; was invited to; where
(5)how to get; how to be (6)were all quite friendly to (7)a great success; is popular with (8)to see the film;believe in
Step 3 句式升级
1.用 which 引导的非限制性定语从句连接上题中的句(1)和句(2)
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2.用 who引导的非限制性定语从句改写上题中的句(3)
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3.用 after 引导时间状语从句改写上题中的句(5)
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答案
1.Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is a fantasy film, which is based on the novel of the English writer J.K.Rowling and directed by Chris Columbus.
2.Harry, who lost his parents at a young age, was badly treated at his aunt's house.
3.After experiencing many adventurous and wonderful things there, Harry learned how to get true friendship and how to be brave.
Step 4 连句成篇
利用以上几个句子,加上恰当的连接词和过渡句,必要时可以改变句式,使之成为一篇连贯的文章。
参考范文
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is a fantasy film, which is based on the novel of the English writer J.K.Rowling and directed by Chris Columbus. In the film, there are three main actors—Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson.
In the movie, Harry, who lost his parents at a young age, was badly treated at his aunt's house. But fortunately, on his birthday of eleven, he was invited to go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and wizardry, a magic school where he learned magic. It was a world full of magic and wonders. After experiencing many adventurous and wonderful things there, Harry learned how to get true friendship and how to be brave. His teachers and classmates were all quite friendly to each other and helped each other. They finally became good friends, and Harry Potter became a self-confident and brave boy.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is a great success and it's popular with people all over the world. It's worthwhile to see the film. Through it, we should learn to believe in ourselves and help others.
【随堂检测】
夯实基础
主题写作
假定你是李华,你校英语报开设了一个介绍影视作品的专栏,请根据下面表格中的提示为该栏目写一篇关于电影《流浪地球》的影评。
片名 《流浪地球》(The Wandering Earth)
导演 郭帆
故事 梗概 该片改编于刘慈欣的同名小说。影片故事背景设定在2075年,讲述了太阳即将毁灭,太阳系已经不适合人类生存,面对绝境,人们将开启“流浪地球”计划,试图带着地球一起逃离太阳系,寻找人类的新家园这样一个故事
评论 该电影是中国科幻电影史上的里程碑,自上映以来,深受观众欢迎
注意:1.词数80左右;
2.可以适当增加细节,以使行文连贯。
参考词汇:里程碑landmark
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参考范文
The Wandering Earth is a science fiction film directed by Guo Fan and adapted from Liu Cixin's novel of the same name.
The film, set in 2075, tells the story that the sun is dying and the solar system is no longer suitable for life. Faced with the danger of human extinction, people will start the “Wandering Earth” project, trying to escape from the solar system with the earth and looking for a new home for human beings.
The film is a landmark in the history of Chinese science fiction films and has been popular with the audience since its release. So I highly recommend this film.
视野拓展
1.Don't judge a book by its cover. (Never judge from appearances.)
人不可貌相。
2.As far as I'm aware, we are supposed to earn money by working hard and we shouldn't be too greedy for wealth.
据我所知, 我们应该通过辛勤劳动来赚钱, 而且我们不应该对财富太贪婪。
4.In China, as with any culture, there are rules and customs that surround what is appropriate and what is not when dining, whether it is in a restaurant or in someone's home.
同其他国家文化一样, 在中国, 无论是在餐馆还是在家, 用餐时都有很多规矩和习俗, 规定什么是合适的, 什么是不合适的。
5.We live in an age when more information is available with greater ease than ever before.
我们生活在一个比以往更容易获得更多信息的时代。
6.If any of these symptoms occurs while you are taking the medicine, consult your doctor immediately.
在服药期间如果出现这些症状中的任何一个,请立即咨询你的医生。
英美文化
美篇导读
在《母亲的礼物》中作者通过回忆儿时与母亲在一起的点点滴滴,真正明白了一个人在成长的不同时期,母亲的陪伴和鼓励才是人世间最美的礼物。
美篇呈现
My Mother's Gift
Suzanne Chazin
I grew up in a small town where the elementary school was a ten-minute walk from my house and in an age,not so long ago,when children could go home for lunch and find their mothers waiting.
At the time,I did not consider this a luxury①,although today it certainly would be. I took it for granted② that mothers were the sandwich-makers,the finger-painting appreciators and the homework monitors. I never questioned that this ambitious,intelligent woman,who had had a career before I was born and would eventually return to a career,would spend almost every lunch hour throughout my elementary school years just with me.
I only knew that when the noon bell rang,I would race breathlessly③ home. My mother would be standing at the top of the stairs,smiling down at me with a look that suggested I was the only important thing she had on her mind. For this,I am forever grateful.
Some sounds bring it all back:the high-pitched squeal of my mother's teakettle,the rumble of the washing machine in the basement, and the jangle of my dog's license tags as she bounded down the stairs to greet me. Our time together seemed devoid of the gerrymandered schedules that now pervade my life.
One lunchtime when I was in the third grade will stay with me always. I had been picked to be the princess in the school play,and for weeks my mother had painstakingly④ rehearsed⑤ my lines with me. But no matter how easily I delivered them at home,as soon as I stepped on stage,every word disappeared from my head.
Finally,my teacher took me aside. She explained that she had written a narrator's part to the play,and asked me to switch roles. Her words, kindly delivered, still stung, especially when I saw my part go to another girl.
I didn't tell my mother what had happened when I went home for lunch that day. But she sensed my unease⑥,and instead of suggesting we practice my lines,she asked if I wanted to walk in the yard.
It was a lovely spring day and the rose vine on the trellis was turning green.Under the huge elm trees,we could see yellow dandelions popping through the grass in bunches,as if a painter had touched our landscape with dabs of gold.
I watched my mother casually bend down by one of the clumps,“I think I'm going to dig up all these weeds,”she said,yanking a blossom,up by it's roots.“From now on,we'll have only roses in this garden.”
“But I like dandelions,”I protested.“All flowers are beautiful—even dandelions.”
My mother looked at me seriously.“Yes,every flower gives pleasure in its own way,doesn't it ”she asked thoughtfully⑦.I nodded,pleased that I had won her over.“And that is true of people too,”she added.“Not everyone can be a princess,but there is no shame in that.”
Relieved that she had guessed my pain,I started to cry as I told her what had happened.She listened and smiled reassuringly⑧.
“But you will be a beautiful narrator,”she said,reminding me of how much I loved to read stories aloud to her.“The narrator's part is every bit as important as the part of the princess.”
Over the next few weeks,with her constant encouragement,I learned to take pride in the role.Lunchtimes were spent reading over my lines and talking about what I would wear.
Backstage the night of the performance,I felt nervous.A few minutes before the play,my teacher came over to me.“Your mother asked me to give this to you,” she said,handing me a dandelion.Its edges were already beginning to curl and it flopped lazily from its stem. But just looking at it,knowing my mother was out there and thinking of our lunchtime talk,made me proud.
After the play,I took home the flower I had stuffed in the apron of my costume. My mother pressed it between two sheets of paper toweling in a dictionary,laughing as she did it that we were perhaps the only people who would press such a sorry-looking weed.
母亲的礼物
苏珊妮·蔡津
我是在一个小镇上长大的,从镇上的小学到我家只需要步行十分钟。在距今不算太久远的那个时代,小学生可以回家吃午饭,而他们的母亲则会在家等候着。
这一切对如今的孩子来说,无疑是一种奢望,可是那时的我,却并不以为然。我觉得母亲给孩子做三明治、鉴赏手指画和检查家庭作业都是理所当然的事。我从来没有想过:我母亲既有抱负,又很聪明。在我出生之前,她有份工作,而且最终她也会重返职场。可是,在我上小学那几年,她几乎天天陪着我吃午饭,一同打发午餐时的每一分钟。
我只知道中午放学铃声一响,我就一口气跑回家。母亲总是站在最高的那级台阶上,笑盈盈地望着我——那神情分明表示:我便是母亲心目中唯一最重要的人。为此,我一辈子都对母亲感激不尽。
如今,每当我听到一些声音,像母亲那把茶壶发出的尖叫声、地下室洗衣机的隆隆声,还有我那条狗蹦下台阶对我摇头摆尾时,脖子上那牌照发出的撞击声,都勾起我对往事的回忆。和母亲在一起的岁月,全然没有现在充斥于我的生活中的、事先排定的日程表。
我永远忘不了在我上三年级时的那顿午饭。原本我被学校选中,要在一个小剧中扮演公主的角色。一连好几个礼拜,母亲总是不辞辛劳地陪着我,一起背诵台词。可是,不管在家里背得再怎么滚瓜烂熟,只要一上舞台,我的脑子里就一片空白。
最终,老师把我叫到了一边。她说剧中旁白员这个角色的台词已写好了,让我换个角色,去当旁白员。尽管老师这些话说得和和气气,可是还是刺痛了我的心,特别是当我发觉自己扮演的公主角色让另一个女孩顶替时,更是如此。
那天回家吃午饭时,我没有把这事告诉母亲。然而,母亲察觉到我心神不定。因此,母亲没有再提练习背台词的事儿,而是问我愿不愿意到院子里散散步。
那真是一个美好的春日,棚架上蔷薇的藤蔓正在转青。在一些高大的榆树下,我们看到,一丛丛黄色的蒲公英冒出草坪,仿佛是一位画家给眼前的美景加上的点点金色。
我看到母亲在一簇花丛旁漫不经心地弯下腰来。“我看得把这些野草都拔了,”她说着,一边使劲把一丛蒲公英连根拔起,“往后咱这园子里只让长蔷薇花。”
“可是我喜欢蒲公英,”我不满地说,“凡是花都好看——蒲公英也不例外。”
母亲严肃地看着我。“噢,这么说每朵花都自有它赏心悦目的地方喽 ”她若有所思地问道。我点了点头,总算说服了母亲,这使我很得意。“那么人也一样呀!”母亲接着又发话,“不见得人人都能当公主,但当不了公主并不丢脸。”
母亲猜到了我的苦恼,这使我如释重负。我哭了起来,把事情的经过讲给母亲听。母亲专注地听着,脸上带着安详的微笑。
“但你会成为一名很好的旁白员,”母亲又说。她说平常我是多么喜欢朗诵故事给她听,还说:“不管从哪方面看,旁白员这个角色都和公主的角色一样重要。”
接下来的几个星期,在母亲不断的鼓励下,我渐渐地为担任旁白员的角色感到骄傲。利用午饭的时间,我们又一起念台词,谈论到时我该穿什么样的演出服装。
演出的那个晚上,我在后台,心里格外紧张。离演出只差几分钟了,老师朝我走了过来。“你母亲让我把这个交给你,”说着她递过来一朵蒲公英。那花儿四周已开始卷曲,花瓣儿从梗上有气无力地耷拉着。可是,只要看一眼,知道母亲就在外面等着,回想起和母亲在午餐时说的那些话,我就感到骄傲。
演出结束后,我把塞在演出服围裙里的那朵蒲公英带回了家。母亲用两张纸巾将花压平,夹在一本字典里。她一边忙碌一边笑着,也许只有我们俩会珍藏这么一朵不起眼的野花吧。
知识积累
①luxury n.奢侈的享受; 不常有的乐趣(或享受、优势)
②take...for granted 认为……理所当然
③breathlessly adv.上气不接下气地;气喘吁吁地
④painstakingly adv.极其仔细地;缜密地
⑤rehearse v.排练;排演
⑥unease n.不安;忧虑;挂念
⑦thoughtfully adv.若有所思地;沉思地;意味深长地
⑧reassuringly adv.安慰地;鼓励地
素养链接
在《母亲的礼物》这篇文章中,对礼物的诠解是呈递进式的。放学后母亲的耐心等候、亲手烹饪的午餐以及陪伴,是儿时母亲礼物的最佳诠释;三年级参加演出,在遭遇角色调换后的心情沮丧之时,母亲的善解人意与合理聪明的疏导方式造就了人世间最美的礼物;苦心陪伴排练以及演出前相赠的蒲公英,是用母爱之礼物告知孩子万物皆可爱。
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