Text Analysis

● Text Analysis

1.General Analysis

● Plot: a brief talk with a future man in asbestos

● Setting: a hushed outer world in a deep immeasurable sleep

● Protagonist: I

● Language style: go to Writing Devices

● Theme of the story: go to the next page

2.Theme

In our battle against human scourges, we sometimes forgot what a world of complete bliss is impossible. Difficulties, hardships, risks, suffering, pain, anxiety, failure and sacrifice will always be part of the human experience.

3.Structure

1) Part 1 (Paras. 1-6): It forms the introduction of the essay, which explains why the narrator early plunged into a distant future: to witness its marvels.

2) Part 2 (Paras.7-78): It narrates what the narrator discovered in this future world and how his feelings about it changed from astonishment and thrill to doubt, and finally to disgust and rejection.

3) Part 3 (Paras.79-81): The narrator found himself back in the old world.

4.Questions

Question:

1) To begin with, let me admit that I did it partly from jealousy. (Para. 1) What does “it” mean here?

2) … other writers should be able at will to drop into a sleep of four or five hundred years, … (Para. 2) Does any word here give us the clue about the protagonist’s profession?

3) We forbid all streetcars, street traffic, airplanes, and so on. To begin with, let me admit that I did it partly from jealousy. (Para. 1) What does “it” mean here?

4) “Ah,” said the Man in Asbestos. “I’ve heard about your arrangements with the women, but never quite understood them.” (Para. 74) Why does the Man in Asbestos call love and marriage “arrangement”?

5) “Yes, but give a rest to the rest of the corridor!” (Para. 79) Who says this? What does that show?

5.Further Discussion

●This kind of essay is called an allegory, which is a surface story used to convey a deeper meaning. What do you think that deeper meaning is in this essay?

●What is the author ridiculing in this essay? What is it about our life today that leads the author to foresee these changes?

●Do you believe that all species are evolving, which means they are making progress, and making progress means they are getting better?

●Do you agree with the author? Would you dismiss his worries as totally groundless fantasies? Would you call him politically conservative? Do you agree that he has given us some food for thought?