Paras (28-39)

This part focuses on the narrator’s visit to the atomic ward in the hospital.

Paras. 28-38

These paragraphs center on the conversation between the narrator and the old fisherman.

Like any other, the hospital smelled of formaldehyde and ether. Stretchers and wheelchairs lined the walls of endless corridors, and nurses walked by carrying nickel-plated instruments, the very sight of which would send shivers down the spine of any healthy visitor. The so-called atomic section was located on the third floor. It consisted of 17 beds.

I am a fisherman by trade. I have been here a very long time, more than twenty years, “said an old man in Japanese pajamas.

"What is wrong with you?"

"Something inside. I was in Hiroshima when it happened. I saw the fire ball. But I had no burns on my face or body. I ran all over the city looking for missing friends and relatives. I thought somehow I had been spared. But later my hair began to fall out, and my belly turned to water. I felt sick, and ever since then they have been testing and treating me."

The doctor at my side explained and commented upon the old man's story, "We still have a handful of patients here who are being kept alive by constant care. The others died as a result of their injuries. Or else committed suicide."

"Why did they commit suicide?"

"It is humiliating to survive in this city. If you bear any visible scars of atomic burns, your children will encounter prejudice on the part of those who do not. No one will marry the daughter or the niece of an atomic bomb victim. People are afraid of genetic damage from the radiation.

The old fisherman gazed at me politely and with interest.

Hanging over the patient was a big ball made of bits of brightly colored paper, folded into the shape of tiny birds.

“What's that？”I asked.

Those are my lucky birds. Every day that I escape death, each day of suffering that helps to free me from earthly cares, I make a new little paper bird, and add it to the others. This way I look at them and congratulate myself on the good fortune that my illness has brought me. Because，thanks to it，I have the opportunity to improve my character.”

Q1: What do these paragraphs mainly tell?

A1: They center on the conversation between the narrator and the old fisherman.

Q2: How do you paraphrase the following knowledge points?

1. smell of（Para.28）

to give out a smell of

2. Stretchers and wheelchairs lined the walls… any healthy visitor. (Para. 28)

1) Stretchers and wheelchairs are put against the walls in the corridors.

2）the very sight…any healthy visitor: even healthy visitors would shiver when

they see those surgical instruments.

3. by trade (Para.29)

by occupation; by way of making a living

4."T thought somehow I had been spared" (Para.31)

I thought for some reason or other I had not been affected; I thought for some reason or other no harm had been done to me.

5. "… later my hair began to fallout, and my belly turned to water? (Para.31)

1) fall out: to become detached-hair, teeth, etc.

2) my belly turned to water: I had diarrhea--very loose bowels.

6. "I felt sick." (Para.31)

I felt nauseous; I wanted to vomit.

7... they have been testing and treating me." (Para.31)

"Testing “and "treating “are used here also to achieve musical effect; this is called alliteration.

8."It is humiliating to survive in this city?" (Para.34)

It is a disgrace for an atomic victim to remain alive in this city (or to continue to live in this city).

humiliate: to hurt the pride or dignity of

9… your children will encounter prejudice on the part of those who do not."

(Para. 34)

Your children will be looked down upon by those who are not atomic victims.

1) encounter: to meet with; to face

2) on the part of someone: by someone

10. "People are afraid of genetic damage from the radiation." (Para.34)

People fear that the effect of the atomic radiation may be hereditary (may pass on from parents to children). People suffering from genetic damage may not be able to produce offspring or may give birth to deformed or otherwise unhealthy children.

genetic: of or relating to genes

11. lucky birds (Para.38)

According to Japanese tradition, if one makes one thousand little paper cranes.

One’s wishes will be realized, hence the "lucky birds.”

12. "… each day of suffering that helps to free me from earthly cares." (Para.38)

One more day of suffering would mean a day nearer my death/would bring me closer to my death.

1) earthly: worldly as opposed to spiritual ("earthly is applied to that which belongs to the earth or to the present life and is chiefly contrasted with "heavenly)

2) care: concern, worry, anxiety

13. "…I have the opportunity to improve my character" (Para.38)

I have the chance to raise my moral standard/to purify my soul.

Para. 39

Once again，outside in the open air，I tore into little pieces a small notebook with questions that I'd prepared in advance for interviews with the patients of the atomic ward. Among them was the question: Do you really think that Hiroshima is the liveliest city in Japan？I never asked it. But I could read the answer in every eye.

Q1: What is the gist of this paragraph?

A1: It reveals the theme of this feature story.

Q2: How do you paraphrase the following sentence?

I could read the answer in every eye. (Para.39)

The expression of the people told me what the answer was

Read: to understand the nature, significance or thinking of as if by reading