高级英语第二册unit 4

Unit 4John Fitzgerald Kennedy (1917-1963) 35th president of the United States

?Family Background Kennedy’s ancestors came from Ireland and he was the first Roman

Catholic to become president of the U.S. He was born on May 29, 1917 in Brookline, Massachusetts, where his grandfather had been elected to many offices. His father Joseph P. Kennedy became the youngest bank president of the country at the age of 25. On September 12, 1953, Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier were married. They had three children.

He wrote "Profiles in Courage",《勇敢者传略》which won a Pulitzer prize.

↗1947-1952 served as representative in the congress 1952 elected to the senate

↗1960 won the Democratic nomination for president and defeated Richard Nixon, Republican Assassination His assassination at Dallas in November 1963 was a shock from which the U.S. has found it hard to recover and the murder is still a riddle. In 1963, Kennedy journeyed to Texas for a speech-making tour. on November 22, he and his wife were cheered as their open car passed through the streets. Suddenly, at 12:30 in the afternoon, an assassin fired several shots, striking the president twice in the base of the neck and the head. Kennedy was rushed to Hospital, where he was pronounced dead about a half hour later. Within two hours, Vice president Johnson took the oath as president.

?Contributions

1. His most important act was his successful demand on Oct.22, 1962 that the Soviet Union dismantle its missile bases in Cuba.

2. He established a quarantine(隔离检疫期) of arms shipments to Cuba

3. He defied Soviet attempts to force the Allies out of Berlin.

4. He made the steel industry rescind(废除) a price rise.

5. He backed: civil rights movements; a mental health program; arbitration of railroad disputes; expanded medical care for the aged; astronaut flights and satellite orbiting

Lincoln and Kennedy

?Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846. John F. Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946.

?Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860. John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1960.

?The names Lincoln and Kennedy each contain seven letters.

?Both were particularly concerned with civil rights.

?Both wives lost their children while living in the White House.

?Both Presidents were shot on a Friday.shot in the head.

?Lincoln’s secretary was named Kennedy. Kennedy’s secretary was named Lincoln.

?Both were assassinated by Southerners.Both were succeeded by Southerners.

?Both successors were named Johnson.

?Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln, was born in 1808.

?Lyndon Johnson, who succeeded Kennedy, was born in 1908.

?John Wilkes Booth, accused of assassinating Lincoln, was born in 1839.

?Lee Harvey Oswald, accused of assassinating Kennedy, was born in 1939.

?Both names comprise fifteen letters

Inauguration Day On April 30,1789, George Washington stepped onto a balcony of Federal Hall in New York City, placed his hand on a Bible and swore to “preserve, protest and defend the constitution of the United States”. He then read an earnest speech, calling for “united and effective government”. Thus began a unique American institution—Inauguration Day—those dramatic hours when a new president faces the people for the first time. He must tell the people what he’s going to do as president.

The Inauguration Day has been on January 20 since 1937.

?Inaugural Address Memorable words have been uttered in inaugural address. It is a speech, lecture

officially made by a person on taking office.

?General Analysis of a Political Speech

The purpose of a political speech is to explain, convince and persuade the people that what he is saying and planning to do best represents their interests so they should support him.

1. He must try every possible means to arouse the feelings of audience. What he says represents the interests of the whole people. successful appeal to the emotion of the audience

2. specific policy The speech must contain high-sounding words and empty promises

3. The speech must be concise and short

4. clever-choice of words to convey different meanings/tones.

5. the use of biblical style to make it formal/ rigid.

6. the use of a lot of rhetorical devices to make his address as powerful/ impressive as possible

As President of the United States, Kennedy has to address a worldwide audience. He has to appeal not only to the American people but also to the different groups of nations in the international community

?Social Background Kennedy became President in 1960’s

Cold war marks the situation in 1960’s. The world is mainly divided into two hostile camps.

1)socialist camp—headed by the Soviet Union2) capitalist camp—headed by the U.S.

Kennedy was an eloquent speaker. He is specially trained. This speech is very powerful and wonderful. He lays his emphasis on the successful appeal to the emotion of the listeners. In fact, most Americans regard his inaugural address as one of the best delivery by an American President.

Section I (paras.1-5)Introduction, the general statement of the basic policy of the US

Section II (paras.6-10) He addresses different groups of allied nations and would-be allied nations; friends and would-be friends.

Section III (paras.11-20) His specific policy toward the enemy.

1. point out the danger

2. point out he position of strength

3. point out the situation and need.

Both sides feel uneasy. a) Both sides are overburdened with the cost of modern weapons.b) Both sides are anxious with the wide spread arms.c) Both try to change the uncertain balance of military power.

?Proposals: 1. control arms 2 . use science for peace purpose 3. enjoy human rights

Object: to make a new world order

Section IV (paras.21-27) conclusion

He calls on the Americans to support him and to sacrifice their lives for their country. He calls on the people of the whole world to unit and work for the freedom of men

Detailed Study of the Text

Para.1: Kennedy is emphasizing the importance of his election as president. It is not simply a victory of the Democratic Party over the Republican Party. It celebrates the freedom of people to elect freely their own head of state. It symbolizes the end of one presidential term (that of Eisenhower) and the beginning of a new term (that of Kennedy). The presidency or the office of president is renewed.

1.freedom: We celebrate freedom. People in the US are free to choose their president.

2.end: the end of Eisenhower’s presidential term

3.beginning: the beginning of Kennedy’s presidential term

4.renewal: the continuation of presidency and office of president

5.change: the change from Eisenhower to Kennedy

6.solemn oath: refer to an extremely formal and inspiring religious ritual. very serious.

7. a century and three-quarters ago: The first presidential oath taken by Washington on April 30, 1789

?Para.2: the general situation of this world

Question: In what way is the world different?The world is different in the way of science and technology. People have modern and advanced science and technology.

?power: the power of science and technology

Science can be used to get rid of poverty. Science can be used to destroy all human beings

Eg. Slavery was abolished in the US in the 19th century.

?Man has made great progress in science and technology so he has the power (scientific farming, speedy transportation, mass production, etc.) to abolish poverty, but he also has the power (missiles, bombs, nuclear weapons, etc.) to destroy human life. Hence the world is different now.

revolutionary belief: it refers to a passage in the American Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness

And yet the same... around the globe:Our ancestors fought a revolutionary war to maintain that all men were created equal and God had given them certain unalienable rights which no state or ruler could take away from them. But today this issue has not yet been decided in many countries around the world.

?Para.3: general policy of the US

?People in the US must keep and defend human rights not only in the US but also in the world as well. We dare not... first revolution: We dare not forget that we are the descendants of those who fought the war of independence. Hence we must always bear in mind the beliefs and ideals our ancestors fought and died for. We must be prepared, if necessary, to fight and die for them today.

torch: metaphor. Its original reference is to the Olympic Games before which a torch is carried from runner to runner. Here it refers to “inspirations and ideals”.

temper: v. to cause to become firm 使变坚韧

tempered by war: The Americans of the 20th century fought two world wars, so they are well tempered disciplined: received training that developed self control and character

hard and bitter peace: peace but cold war, hence “hard and bitter’’

to witness or permit the slow undoing: to see or allow the gradual abolishing of

?Para.4: strong determination. Kennedy puts the US in the position of the world leader, and he says in

order to keep human rights, “we shall pay any price, bear any burden, ...”.

?The address is to both friends and foes. It promises to support any friend and to oppose any foe. The phrases “pay any price, bear any burden and meet any hardship”are intended to shore up the waning confidence of her allies as much as to warn any prospective foe.

?Para.5: transition A one sentence paragraph that functions as a transition from the general to the

specific. In the following paragraphs he will be addressing different specific groups of nations.

?Para.6: the specific policy toward his friends and would-be friends

To those old allies… split asunder:In this paragraph Kennedy addresses the white European countries in general but his words are specifically directed to the English-speaking Anglo-Saxon countries, such as Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, with whom the United States shares a common cultural and spiritual heritage.

ally: n. a country that has a treaty or an agreement to help and support another country, allied: ad. the Allied and Associated Powers (World War I)

cultural and spiritual origins: Greek, Roman and Nordic mythology, literature, art, music etc. Later these nations were linked closer by the spiritual tie of Christianity.

United, there is little we cannot do in a host of co-operative ventures: United and working together we can accomplish a lot of things in a great number of joint undertakings.

United we can do everything. Divided we can do nothing

powerful challenge: a strong, powerful threat posed by the socialist camp.

If we are quarreling and split apart, we can not compete with the strong, powerful enemy in front of us Those two have been at odds with one another for ages. 那两个人合不来已经很久了。

split asunder: split apa rt; disunited

?Paragraph 7: Kennedy addresses the governments and people of the newly independent countries,

the third world developing countries, promising to give them economic aid but warning them not to go over to the Communist.

He promises to aid the newly independent countries so that they can remain free and independent. ranks of the free: the community of free and independent nations

a far more iron tyranny: an expression in place of “a Communist dictatorship”iron: cruel; riding the back of a tiger: metaphor, comparing “seeking the aid of socialist countries”to “riding he back of a tiger”. Those countries which foolishly seek the aid of socialist countries will end up by losing their independence as many other countries did in the past

It is dangerous to ride the back of the tiger. If you do, you will be swallowed up by the tiger.

?Para.8: Whom did he address? the developing countries

half the globe :the continents of Africa and Asia constitute almost one half of the land surface of the globe .To those peoples in huts… mass misery: referring to the poor and backward people in Africa and Asia struggling to free them from poverty and suffering.Bonds(脚镣): chains; fetters(脚镣)

help them help themselves: We pledge to help them on condition that they do their best and do what we ask them to do. (In other words they must cooperate with us.)

we pledge…is right:Kennedy wants people to believe that the United States renders unselfish and disinterested(无私的) aid to countries that need it. This is pure propaganda for the United States has never rendered any aid to those countries.

If a free society ... who are rich: antithesis, “few” and “rich” balanced against “many” and “poor”. In a sense Kennedy is right. If the poor are continuously oppressed, they will rise up some day and overthrow the “free society” or the rule of “the few who are rich”.

?Para.9: Kennedy addresses all the countries lying to the south of the United States in Central and South America. The United States has always tried to dominate these countries and has quite often interfered in their internal affairs.

1. He offered special pledge that all Latin American countries to work together to make progress.

2. He warned the enemies not to interfere in the internal affairs of these countries, because we are master of this hemisphere.

sister: Kennedy carefully chooses this word which connotes equality and mutual good relations in his attempt to allay the traditional fears these countries have of their powerful big brother in the north.

“sister”and “special”show the traditional “special”interest of the United States in this area new alliance(联盟) for progress: the new Latin. American policy propounded by Kennedy; to work together once again as allies to promote progress in this hemisphere

But this peaceful…of hostile powers: metaphor, comparing “peaceful revolution of hope” to an animal which might fall victim to enemy nations. We will not allow any enemy country to subvert this peaceful revolution which brings hope of progress to all our countries.

And let every other… its own house: metaphor, comparing the Americas to a house. And let every country know the nations of this hemisphere will not tolerate any interference in their affairs by countries outside this hemisphere.

?Para.10: Kennedy is addressing the United Nations and he pledges his support to the UN.

1) to prevent the UN from becoming an assembly where people just criticize, insult and abuse each other

2) to strengthen the power of UN to protect the newly independent and weak nations

3) to enlarge the area in which its authority and mandate would continue to be in effect or in force

our lost best hope… instruments of peace: The United Nations is our last and best hope of survival in an age where the instruments of war have far surpassed and exceeded the instruments of peace.

instruments of war: weapons, bombs, machines, etc., for waging war

instruments of peace: tools, machines, etc., for production of useful commodities

we rene…… invective :We restate/repeat our promise of support to the UN: to prevent it from becoming an assembly where people just criticize, insult and abuse each other

to strengthen…and the weak:metaphor, comparing the power of the United Nations to protect to a

shield. We pledge to strengthen the power of the United Nations to protect the newly independent and the weak nations.

and to enlarge... may run:We pledge to help the United Nations enlarge the area in which its authority and mandate would continue to be in effect or in force.

area: may mean either “territory, number of countries” or “fields of activity”

writ:书面命令；传票；令状a formal written document; Here it refers to the United Nations Charter. run: to continue in effect or force

?Para.11: In paras.11 to 20Kennedy addresses his enemy. He points out the destructive power of a war and puts forward proposals for arms control negotiation, cooperation in fields of science and space exploration. In this paragraph he is speaking to the Soviet Union.

Q: What are the specific proposals?

would make themselves our adversary: Clever choice of words, for the phrase throws the blame for confrontation and world tension on the other party. The United States has done nothing to create enemies. It’s the other side that is challenging the U.S.

request:not a pledge or promise to do something. He is only “asking”the other side to consider seriously his proposals.

before the dark…self-destruction: before the terrible forces of destruction, which science can now release, overwhelm mankind; before this Self-destruction, which may be planned or brought about by an accident, takes place

anew: adv. again, in a new or different way

quest: (lit.) ~for/of a long search or an attempt to find sth.

Eg. the continuing quest for a cure for the disease They travelled in quest of gold.

dark: evil; sinister; terrible

unleash: ~on/upon to set (feelings, forces, etc.)free from control and allow them to act with full force Eg. All his anger was unleashed upon us. The enemy bombers unleashed a terrible attack on the city.

?Para.12: Kennedy points out the importance of strength.

tempt: v. attract n. temptation Eg. The warm sun tempted us to go swimming. a tempting meal We dare not be weak because it might tempt the enemy to take rash actions. So we must arm ourselves.

He emphasizes a policy of negotiating from a position of strength

If we are strong our enemy will not dare to attack us. Hence, our military might never be employed.

?Para.13: Kennedy points out the present situation between the two countries: cold war / hostile

confrontation, and both sides find no comfort in the present situation

a) Both sides are feeling the great financial burden of the arms race.

b) Both are made conscious of the gradual spread of the terrible atom bombs.

c) Both sides are trying to change this uncertain balance of this terrible military power which restrains /

prevent each group from launching the Third World War.

But neither can two…present course:The two great and powerful groups of nations (one group headed by the Soviet Union and the other group headed by the United States) find no comfort in (are quite worried about) the present international situation (cold war and hostile confrontation).

. both sides overburdened…deadly atom: both sides are feeling the great financial burden of the arms race and both sides are alarmed by the proliferation of atomic weapons.

Yet both...final war:Yet both groups of nations are trying to change as quickly as possible this uncertain balance of terrible military power which restrains each group from launching mankind’s final war. balance of terror:figurative, the abstract for the concrete; a balance of terrible military power--the power to destroy each other and mankind.

stays the hand: synecdoche, restrains people or nations ( from launching a world war)

mankind’s final war: A third world war would be mankind’s last war because it will destroy mankind.

?Paras.14-19: Kennedy puts forward his different proposals.

He points out co-operation / different proposals, trying to find out specific field in which the U.S. and the Soviet Union can agree with each other

sincerity is always subject to proof: Let us remember that one’s sincerity must be proved by facts.

People may say or promise all kinds of nice things but they must be proved by deeds.

subject to: depending on 取决于，在……的条件下Eg. The plan is subject to confirmation

Let both sides explore...divide us Antithesis. Let us try to find out where we agree and where we can cooperate and work together instead of wasting our time squabbling over things we disagree on.

?Formulate: work out; to inve/ prepare a plan, suggestion, etc. We had formulated our own strategy.

?inspection and control of arms: examining/ watching over carefully the limitation of arms

bring the absolute power... of all nations:repetition of “absolute’’and “nations”. Kennedy is here proposing the control and limitation of nuclear weapons (which has absolute power to destroy other nations) and also international inspection of their production and deployment (to bring it under the absolute control of all nations).

?absolute power: power without limit absolute control: complete control

?The repetition of the word “absolute”shows Kennedy’s urge to both sides to work out a policy that will promote rather than hinder peace.

P17. Let both sides seek... its terrors:Let both sides try to call forth the wonderful things that science can do for mankind instead of the frightful things it can do. Let both sides try to use science to produce good and beneficial things for man instead of employing it to bring frightful destruction. invoke: call forth; bring into action or existence援引；行使（权利）

Together let us explore... commerce: areas in which both sides can cooperate and work together conquer the deserts: reclamation of wasteland and deserts; to make deserts fertile

eradicate: v. to put an end to; get rid of completely Eg. to eradicate crime/disease/poverty

?tap: v. to use or take what is needed from利用；开发；发掘

Eg. We have enormous reserves of oil still waiting to be tapped.

tap the ocean depths: to draw upon or make use of the wealth that lies deep in the oceans, e.g. mining the ocean beds for valuable metals (manganese nodules) etc.

?Para.19:Kennedy points out the purpose: We must work together to make a new world order. Beachhead Metaphor, a small beginning (of cooperation) is compared to a “beachhead”and deep and widespread (suspicion) to a “jungle”. And if a little bit of cooperation can lessen the deep suspicion that exists on both sides, then let us…

let both sides join... peace preserved: a concrete proposal to stop the arms race and to build a just and peaceful world where disputes can be settled peacefully through discussion and not by force.

a new balance of power:implying both sides racing to arm themselves with more and more sophisticated weapons so that each would not fall behind the other

strong are just: The strong nations do not bully the weak.

?P20 a hundred days: alluding perhaps to the first hundred days of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency.

During the famous “hundred days” (March-June, 1933), Roosevelt’s administration rushed through Congress a flood of anti depression measures.

?Para.21-27: He appeals to his fellow Americans to support him and to do everything they can, even to sacrifice their lives for their country.

Past: Many Americans died for their country. They showed their loyalty to their country. Present: Now our generation is called upon to face the challenge of the cold war, to struggle against poverty and disease.

P21 fellow citizens: By treating his audience as his equals and by bringing them in as equal partners in the conduct of national and international affairs, the speaker intends to boost their ego (self-esteem)

and stir their patriotic emotions, so that they would willingly do what the speaker calls on them to do

?summon: v. to order officially to come 召唤，召见He was summoned into the presence of the Queen. ?testimony: n. a formal statement that sth. is true Eg. She was accused of false testimony.

each generation... national loyalty:Americans of every generation have been called upon to prove their loyalty to their country (by fighting and dying for their country’s cause).

The graves... the globe: There are graves of young Americans in all parts of the world. They fought and died for their country when they were called upon to do so.

P22 Now the trumpet... again: Now our country is calling on us once more (to fight and die for it). not as a call... embattled we are: Today our country is not calling on us to join the army or to go to war, although we need a strong army and although we are prepared for war.

to bear arms: to join the army; to become a combatant in the armed forces

arm: any combatant branch of the military forces

but a call to bear... year out:an oft-quoted passage of Kennedy’s speech. It is a call to face the challenge of the cold war which includes a fight against poverty and disease which would serve to win over the poor developing countries of the Third World.

to bear the burden: to take on the burden; to sustain the burden

twilight struggle: an unclear and dubious struggle but which might become more forbidding and dangerous with the passage of time

“rejoicing... tribulation”: to be happy when things look bright and hopeful; to be patient in distress. These two phrases are quoted, perhaps, from the Bible. That’s why they are in quotation marks.

?tribulation: n. a cause of trouble, grief, worry, suffering 苦难；艰难；忧患

Eg. After many trials and tribulations, we finally reached our destination.

?Para.23: Rhetoric questions are more forceful.

Can we forge... West: Can we together with the nations of the world form a real alliance in every part of the world to fight against tyranny, poverty, disease and war?

forge: v. to form by heating and hammering 锻造Eg. forging the links of a chain

?Para.24: Kennedy is emphasizing the situation and responsibility

?He tries to arouse American people’s emotions by saying you must be very proud and glorious, for you are born in this time and you are given such a great duty.

the role ... maximum danger: a deliberate exaggeration to increase the sense of urgency and to make people feel they are sacrificing themselves for a glorious cause. People should feel proud that they have been given this opportunity to defend freedom when there was the greatest danger of losing it.

The energy... light the world: metaphor, comparing the energy, the faith, the devotion of the Americans to a fire that will light the U. S. and the world. The energy, the faith and the devotion that the Americans bring to this task will inspire not only the United States and her people but also the whole world.

P25 And so, my fellow ... your country:antithesis, “country”and “you”are turned around and balanced in the two clauses. This sentence is perhaps the one most quoted from Kennedy’s speech. Para.27: With God’s blessing and help, let us start leading the country we love, knowing that on earth what we are doing is God’s work(which is just)

ask of us... ask of you: Demand that we here show the same high standards of strength and sacrifice that we demand of you.

with history the final judge…..: History will finally judge whether we have done our task well or not.

1. The order is clear. Each paragraph has its own topic.

2. The tone is appropriate. He uses different tones to different people.

3. The style is rigid. It is made beforehand. So it is a sort of written language.

4. The language is rhetorical. parallelism, metaphor, antithesis, balanced structure, repetition of words and phrases —for force, vividness and emotional appeal