西洋小說賞析 : 中興大學外文系副教授周淑娟 spring 2014. a supplementary note for...

西洋小說賞析西洋小說賞析 : :

中興大學外文系中興大學外文系副教授周淑娟副教授周淑娟Spring 2014Spring 2014

A Supplementary Note for “The A Supplementary Note for “The Prodigal Son”Prodigal Son”

What does the elder brother stand for: What does the elder brother stand for:

---Pharisees; people who stick formalistically to ---Pharisees; people who stick formalistically to God’s laws without realizing God’s mercy and God’s laws without realizing God’s mercy and without the virtue of forgivenesswithout the virtue of forgiveness

---The grace the faithful follower get from God ---The grace the faithful follower get from God will not be reduced just because God gives His will not be reduced just because God gives His mercy to the repentant sinner.mercy to the repentant sinner.

Week 5Week 5 ： “： “ The Chaser”The Chaser”

““The Chaser” as an Illustration of The Chaser” as an Illustration of the Characteristic of Short Story the Characteristic of Short Story

We don’t know who Alan is.We don’t know who Alan is. We don’t know who the old man is, either.We don’t know who the old man is, either. However, through a presentation of a dramatic However, through a presentation of a dramatic

conversation, the reader has a glimpse of Alan’conversation, the reader has a glimpse of Alan’s plight in love and the different perceptions of s plight in love and the different perceptions of love between the two men.love between the two men.

Ambiguity (Ambiguity ( 意義的曖昧與多樣意義的曖昧與多樣性性 ) )

PunPun ( ( 雙關語雙關語 )) Ex.: “Ex.: “chinkchink in the armor” (ABC news anchor in the armor” (ABC news anchor on Jeremy Lin)on Jeremy Lin) (The whole phrase is also a metaphor at the(The whole phrase is also a metaphor at the same time. )same time. ) Ex. “the chaser”: 1) Ex. “the chaser”: 1) 追求者追求者 ; ; 2) 2) 飲完烈酒後加飲的飲完烈酒後加飲的清淡飲料清淡飲料

Figurative language—comparisonsFigurative language—comparisons比喻性語言比喻性語言 11

1 ﹒1 ﹒ metaphor metaphor 隱喻隱喻---------- 「「他雖對她呵護倍至，無奈他雖對她呵護倍至，無奈落花有意，流落花有意，流水無情水無情。。」」

---------- 「娉娉嫋嫋十三餘，「娉娉嫋嫋十三餘，荳蔻梢頭二月初荳蔻梢頭二月初。」。」 (( 杜杜牧牧 ) )

---------- 「我有神珠ㄧ顆，久被牢塵關所，他朝塵「我有神珠ㄧ顆，久被牢塵關所，他朝塵盡進光生，照破山河萬朵。」盡進光生，照破山河萬朵。」 (( 王維王維 ))


1 ﹒1 ﹒ metaphor metaphor 隱喻隱喻Chorus leader: “You are caught in the Chorus leader: “You are caught in the nets of donets of do

omom—obey if you can obey . . .” (—obey if you can obey . . .” (Agamemnon Agamemnon by Aeschylus)by Aeschylus)

Clytaemnestra: “. . . Our never-ending, Clytaemnestra: “. . . Our never-ending, all embrall embracing netacing net, I cast it wide for the , I cast it wide for the royal haulroyal haul, I co, I coil him round and round.”il him round and round.”

((Agamemnon Agamemnon by Aeschylus)by Aeschylus)


2 simile ﹒2 simile ﹒ 明喻明喻

---- 「問君能有幾多愁，「問君能有幾多愁，恰似恰似一江春水向東流」一江春水向東流」 (( 李李煜煜 ))

---- 「人生到處知何似，「人生到處知何似，應似應似飛鴻踏雪泥。泥上偶飛鴻踏雪泥。泥上偶然留指爪，鴻飛那復計東西…。」（蘇軾然留指爪，鴻飛那復計東西…。」（蘇軾 ))

---- 「「落花落花猶似猶似墜樓人墜樓人」」 ( ( 杜牧杜牧 ))


2 simile ﹒2 simile ﹒ 明喻明喻

-----“O my Love's -----“O my Love's likelike a red, red rose a red, red rose That’s newly sprung in June; That’s newly sprung in June; O my Love's O my Love's likelike the melody the melody That’s sweetly play'd in tune...” That’s sweetly play'd in tune...”

(Robert Burns)(Robert Burns)


2 simile ﹒2 simile ﹒ 明喻明喻 Clytaemnestra: “Unless Clytaemnestra: “Unless she’s likeshe’s like a swallow, p a swallow, p

ossessed of her own barbaric song, strange, darossessed of her own barbaric song, strange, dark . . .” (k . . .” (Agamemnon Agamemnon by Aeschylus) by Aeschylus)

(cf. (cf. 南蠻鴃舌之人南蠻鴃舌之人 ) )

AssociationsAssociations

Can you find any other example of Can you find any other example of metaphor/simile in the poems you’ve read metaphor/simile in the poems you’ve read before?before?

Dark Humor (Black Humor)Dark Humor (Black Humor)黑色幽默黑色幽默

Humor that is viewed as dark, morbid Humor that is viewed as dark, morbid (( 可怕可怕 )), cr, cruel, offensive to some, and or graphic uel, offensive to some, and or graphic (( 真切的真切的 )) in in nature and is yet, still found funny. nature and is yet, still found funny.

Ex.Ex.---The old man’s tricky attitude in implying the e---The old man’s tricky attitude in implying the e

ffect of “life cleaner” ffect of “life cleaner” ---The film---The film 《《父後七日父後七日》》 (black comedy--(black comedy-- 黑黑

色喜劇色喜劇 ))---The “Collecting All Five” contest in ---The “Collecting All Five” contest in FriendsFriends

Associations Associations (( 相關聯結相關聯結 ))

AllusionAllusion(( 典故典故 )) of the Love Potion: of the Love Potion:

“ “Love-in-idleness” in Shakespeare’s Love-in-idleness” in Shakespeare’s

A Midsummer Night’s DreamA Midsummer Night’s Dream (( 仲夏夜之夢仲夏夜之夢 ))

羅大佑羅大佑 : “: “ 戀曲戀曲 1980”1980”

文本閱讀文本閱讀 11

““. . . and peered about for a long time on the. . . and peered about for a long time on the didim landing” m landing” (1)(1)

““. . . as he had been told to do…” . . . as he had been told to do…” (2)(2)

““. . . went up certain dark and creaky stairs” . . . went up certain dark and creaky stairs” (1)(1)

“ “ On one of the dirty buff-colored walls” On one of the dirty buff-colored walls” (2)(2)

““Young people who need a love potion very seYoung people who need a love potion very seldom have five thousand dollars. Otherwise thldom have five thousand dollars. Otherwise they would not need a love potion.” ey would not need a love potion.” (14)(14)

Questions for ExplorationQuestions for Exploration

Why does the old man say “au revoir” (French,Why does the old man say “au revoir” (French, which means “see you again”) instead of “goo which means “see you again”) instead of “good-bye”? (d-bye”? ( 再見再見 vs. vs. 珍重珍重 ))

What will Alan buy when he comes next time?What will Alan buy when he comes next time?

Ambiguity of “Chaser”Ambiguity of “Chaser”

------ 追求者追求者 (the one who chases love”)(the one who chases love”) ------ 喝完烈酒後喝的清淡飲料喝完烈酒後喝的清淡飲料 (ex. whisky (ex. whisky

bear)bear)

QuestionsQuestions

Is “the chaser” a metaphor or simile in this Is “the chaser” a metaphor or simile in this story? story?

As a drink, what does “the chaser” refer to in As a drink, what does “the chaser” refer to in the old man’s goods? the old man’s goods?

As a drink, what is the stuff in the old man’s As a drink, what is the stuff in the old man’s goods that comes before the chaser?goods that comes before the chaser?


In a sense, “glove-cleaner” (39) is also a In a sense, “glove-cleaner” (39) is also a metaphor. What behavior of love might metaphor. What behavior of love might “glove” indicate?“glove” indicate?

As a metaphor, what development of love As a metaphor, what development of love might “the chaser” refer to?might “the chaser” refer to?

Questions for Exploration Questions for Exploration

The old man reveals a cynical The old man reveals a cynical (( 兼具嘲諷與兼具嘲諷與

辛辣辛辣 )) but somehow true message about but somehow true message about love. What does he imply about poor love. What does he imply about poor young men’s desperate need of love young men’s desperate need of love potion and their desperate need of lifpotion and their desperate need of life cleaner years after when they are bee cleaner years after when they are better off and have used love potion? tter off and have used love potion?


After hearing the old man explain the effects After hearing the old man explain the effects of the love potion, Alan cries out, “That is of the love potion, Alan cries out, “That is love.” Is his a proper understanding of love?love.” Is his a proper understanding of love?

What is the essence of love?What is the essence of love?

Love, in its truest sense, must be something Love, in its truest sense, must be something borne out of deep, mutual feelings between tborne out of deep, mutual feelings between two people. It is something shared.wo people. It is something shared.

Artificial love is indeed a tragedy.Artificial love is indeed a tragedy. Love should come naturally, and, probably, Love should come naturally, and, probably,

when it disappears, we should also see it as when it disappears, we should also see it as natural.natural.

Reading ComprehensionReading Comprehension

““It is only when one is in a position to oblige tIt is only when one is in a position to oblige that one can afford to be so confidential.” hat one can afford to be so confidential.” (18)(18)

““For indifference, they substitute devotion. For For indifference, they substitute devotion. For scorn, adoration” scorn, adoration” (24)(24)

““That will never happen.” That will never happen.” (36)(36)

““It is not asIt is not as dear dear as the glove cleaner…” as the glove cleaner…” (39)(39)

Understanding Vocabulary in Understanding Vocabulary in ContextContext

““Alan Austen . . . went up certain dark and Alan Austen . . . went up certain dark and crecreakyaky stairs . . . and stairs . . . and peeredpeered about for a long time about for a long time on theon the dimdim landinglanding before he found the name hbefore he found the name he wanted . . . ” e wanted . . . ” (1)(1)

On one of the dirty On one of the dirty buffbuff-colored walls were a -colored walls were a couple of shelves, ” couple of shelves, ” (2)(2)


““Here, for example," interrupted the old man, Here, for example," interrupted the old man, reaching forreaching for a bottle from the shelf. "Here is a a bottle from the shelf. "Here is a liquid as colourless as water, almost tasteless, liquid as colourless as water, almost tasteless, quite imperceptible in coffee, wine, or any othquite imperceptible in coffee, wine, or any other beverage. It is also quite imperceptible to aner beverage. It is also quite imperceptible to any known method of y known method of autopsyautopsy.”.” （（ 88 ））

"I hope all your mixtures are not as expensiv"I hope all your mixtures are not as expensive," said Alan e," said Alan apprehensivelyapprehensively.”.” （（ 1313 ））


““I look at it like this,” said the old man. “PleasI look at it like this,” said the old man. “Please a customer with one e a customer with one articlearticle, and he will come , and he will come back when he needs another. Even if it is more back when he needs another. Even if it is more costlycostly. He will save up for it, if necessary.” . He will save up for it, if necessary.” （（ 11

66 ））


““Oh, no,” said the old man. “Their effects are Oh, no,” said the old man. “Their effects are permanent, and extend far beyond the mere capermanent, and extend far beyond the mere casual impulse. But sual impulse. But theythey include include itit. Oh, yes they . Oh, yes they include it. Bountifully, insistently. Everlastinglinclude it. Bountifully, insistently. Everlastingly.” y.”

（（ 2020 ））


"Yes, she will want to be everything to you." “"Yes, she will want to be everything to you." “She isShe is, already. Only she doesn't care about , already. Only she doesn't care about iitt." ." （（ 27-2827-28 ））


““And, by the way, since there are always And, by the way, since there are always sirensirenss, if by any chance you should, later on, , if by any chance you should, later on, slipslip a l a little, you need not worry. She will forgive you, ittle, you need not worry. She will forgive you, in the end. She will be terribly hurt, of course, in the end. She will be terribly hurt, of course, but she will forgive you-in the end.” but she will forgive you-in the end.” （（ 3535 ））

““ThatThat will not happen,” said Alan fervently. will not happen,” said Alan fervently. （（ 3636 ））

Vocabulary in Context (From Vocabulary in Context (From Previous Texts)Previous Texts)

Pre-reading Introduction for Week 6Pre-reading Introduction for Week 6

Some Names that You May KnowSome Names that You May Know

Stephen KingStephen King Freddy KruegerFreddy Krueger La LloronaLa Llorona Bram StokerBram Stoker The Addams FamilyThe Addams Family Yuki OnnaYuki Onna Mary ShelleyMary Shelley

Who Are These People? 1Who Are These People? 1

Stephen King: writer of horror novelsStephen King: writer of horror novels

------ex.ex. Misery Misery ( ( 戰慄遊戲戰慄遊戲 )) Freddy Kruger: character in Freddy Kruger: character in Nightmare on Elm Nightmare on Elm

StreetStreet ( ( 半夜鬼上床半夜鬼上床 )) La Llorona: Mexican folklore (weeping womaLa Llorona: Mexican folklore (weeping woma

n)n)

Who Are These People? 2Who Are These People? 2

Bram Stoker: author of Bram Stoker: author of DraculaDracula ( ( 德古拉德古拉 )) The Addams Family The Addams Family 阿達一族阿達一族 Mary Shelley: author of Mary Shelley: author of FrankensteinFrankenstein Yuki Onna: Yuki Onna: 雪女雪女 Japanese folkloreJapanese folklore

What is “thriller”?What is “thriller”?

Thrillers Thrillers (( 驚悚作品驚悚作品 )) tend to be fast-moving, psych tend to be fast-moving, psychological, threatening, mysterious and at times iological, threatening, mysterious and at times involve larger-scale villainy such as espionage, nvolve larger-scale villainy such as espionage, terrorism and conspiracy terrorism and conspiracy

the primary mood that they elicit: the primary mood that they elicit: fearful excitfearful excitementement

The Twilight

Sub-Genres Sub-Genres (( 次文類次文類 )) of Thrillers of Thrillers

Crime thrillersCrime thrillers: ransoms, captivities, heist: ransoms, captivities, heist(( 攔劫攔劫 ),),

revenge, kidnappingsrevenge, kidnappings Mystery Mystery (( 神秘案件神秘案件 )) thrillers thrillers: investigations and th: investigations and th

ee

whodunit techniquewhodunit technique Psychological thrillersPsychological thrillers: stalking: stalking(( 盯梢盯梢 ),),

confinement/death-traps, horror-of-confinement/death-traps, horror-of-

personality, and obsessionpersonality, and obsession

Questions to ExploreQuestions to Explore

Why are horror movies (thrillers) so popular?Why are horror movies (thrillers) so popular?

Do you believe in or will you influenced by Do you believe in or will you influenced by the scenes described in the thrillers?the scenes described in the thrillers?

Possible AnswersPossible Answers

Function 1: to distract your mind from your Function 1: to distract your mind from your real life pressure?real life pressure?

Function 2: to enjoy the excitement/surprise Function 2: to enjoy the excitement/surprise invoked by the imagination of the weird or invoked by the imagination of the weird or gruesome?gruesome?

ReasonReason(( 理性理性 )) vs. Instinct vs. Instinct (( 本能本能 ))

The unconscious in human psychology (Freud) The unconscious in human psychology (Freud) vs. the Enlightenment exaltation of reasonvs. the Enlightenment exaltation of reason

Freud (Freud ( 佛洛依德佛洛依德 ) )

3 parts of human psychology:3 parts of human psychology:

------egoego ( ( 自我自我 :: 對現實的理性妥協對現實的理性妥協 ))

------superegosuperego ( ( 超我超我 : : 社會與道德規範社會與道德規範 ))

------idid ( ( 本我本我 ; ; 原始衝動原始衝動 ):. ):.

Freud (Freud ( 佛洛依德佛洛依德 ) )

---ego (---ego ( 自我自我 ): The ego is that part of the id which has ): The ego is that part of the id which has been modified by the direct influence of the external been modified by the direct influence of the external world world

---superego (---superego ( 超我超我 ): The super-ego controls our sense o): The super-ego controls our sense of right and wrong and guilt. It helps us fit into society f right and wrong and guilt. It helps us fit into society by getting us to act in socially acceptable ways by getting us to act in socially acceptable ways

---id (---id ( 本我本我 ): the unorganized part of the personality st): the unorganized part of the personality structure that contains a human's basic, instinctual driveructure that contains a human's basic, instinctual drives. s.

Thank You

西洋小說賞析 : 中興大學外文系副教授周淑娟 spring 2014. a supplementary note for...

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