Text Appreciation

●Text Analysis

1.Theme

To prepare ourselves for this new world, we must all be re-educated so that we will be able to understand that there are more similarities than differences among peoples. The differences are superficial and insignificant whereas the similarities are essential and fundamental. These similarities enable all of us to be equal members in this global village and to live happily with mutual respect.

2.Structure

1) Part 1 (Paras.1-7 ): The old education focusing on nations’ differences should give way to the new one emphasizing the similarities.

2) Part 2 (Para. 8 ): We should respect all human beings because human life is such a rare occurrence.

3) Part 3 (Para. 9 ): However different peoples may be, they are united in their humanness, in their basic human faculties and gifts.

4) Part 4 (Paras.10-11): They are also united in their needs.

Question:

1) According to the author, tribalism “had taken refined forms”. How do you understand its “refined forms”?

Tribalism originally refers to behavior and attitudes that are based on strong loyalty to a tribe. Here, its refined forms are modern regionalism, racism, and nationalism.

2) What is the “specific” need?

The author is referring to the need of tourists.

3) List out some aspects of the old education that emphasized the differences among nations.

4) How do you understand “the great compression”?

The so-called “global village”.

5) What does “forms and colors and ordered sounds” refer to?

Literature, architecture, art and music.

6) Why does the author say that the conditions of human existence are dangerously balanced?

The author is referring to the fact that human conditions are very delicate. We must have water and oxygen for survival. Too much or too little of these things would cause a disaster. These things should be well balanced.

3. Further Discussion

1) What do geography, anthropology and many other courses usually tell us about the differences between races and nations?

2) Are they important according to the author?

3) How should we be re-educated to adapt to the new world according to the author?

4) In which aspects does the author base his arguments? Elaborate each point.

5) Do you agree that tribalism is standing in our way to progress today?

●Writing Device : Repetition

Geography had instructed me in differences of terrain, resources, and productivity. Comparative culture had instructed me in the differences of background and group interests. Anthropology had instructed me in the differences of facial bone structure, skin color and general physical aspect. (3)

Repetition: a major rhetorical strategy for producing emphasis, clarity, amplification, or emotional effect.

More Examples:

With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

Find more cases of rhetoric repetition in the text.

And the simplest reality of all was that the human community was one—greater than any of its parts, greater than the separateness imposed by the nations, grater than the different faiths and loyalties or the depth and color of varying cultures. (Para. 4)

● Sentence Paraphrase

1. The differences were all but wiped out by the similarities. (Para. 4)

2. And the simplest reality of all was that the human community was one—greater than any of its parts, greater than the separateness imposed by nations, greater than the different faiths and loyalties or the depth and color of varying cultures. (Para. 4)

3. This larger unity was the most important central fact of our time—something on which people could build at a time when hope seemed misty, almost unreal. (Para. 4)

4. It turned out that my ability to get along with other peoples depended not so much upon my comprehension of the uniqueness of their way of life as my comprehension of the things we had in common. (Para. 5)

5. But to stop there was like clearing the ground without any idea of what was to be built on it. (Para. 5)

6. It was the mark of a rounded man to be well traveled. (Para. 6)

7. … the universe itself does not hold life cheaply. Life is a rare occurrence… (Para. 8)

●Snow is of frequent occurrence in that country.

●His arrival was an unexpected occurrence.

●His arrival was an unexpected occurrence.

8. Of all these countless forms of life, only one, the human species, possesses certain faculties in combination that give it supreme advantages over all the others. (Para. 8)

1) I bought the jacket at an advantage.

2) He negotiated for my advantage.

3) It is of great advantage to them.

4) We must use to the best advantage what ability we may possess.

5) Employ your time to the best advantage.

6) Our volleyball girls had the advantage of being taller than their Japanese opponents.

7) The advantage we have over them is that they are weak and sentimental.

8) You have an advantage over me.

9. Viewed in global perspective, what counts is not that… but that… (Para. 9)

1) It is not how much you read but what you read that counts.

2) In business, a strong personality often counts for more than formal training.

10. Leadership on this higher level does not require mountains of gold or thundering propaganda. (Para. 11)