Another School Year What for? John Ciardi Text Appreciation I. Text Analysis 1. Theme 2. Structure 3. Discussion II. Writing Devices 1. Language Style to be available matter(to sb.):to be important or have an important effect on sb. /sth. Pay attention to the two “it”s. The first is an introductory/anticipatory “it” while the second refers to “whether I told him all this”. “For” is used to introduce the performer of the action to matter”. Sentence Paraphrase Nevertheless, I was young and I had a high sense of duty and I tried to put it this way (4) Instead of telling him the importance of an all- around education, I tried to convince him from a very practical point of view. put: to express or say sth. in a particular way Sentence Paraphrase Sentence Paraphrase “For the rest of your life,” I said, “your days are going to average out to about twenty-four hours.” (Para. 4) to come to an average or ordinary level or standard, esp. after being higher or lower More examples: Meals at the university average out to about 10 yuan per day. The restaurants monthly profits averaged out at 30% last year. Assume you have gone through pharmacy school (5) Suppose/Lets imagine you have completed your pharmacy course. Sentence Paraphrase assume v. a. to take for granted; to suppose b. to take upon oneself n. assumption a. assumptive Examples: They had assumed that prices would rise these days, but in fact they were wrong. assume responsibilities assume anothers debts Word formation Word Study Sentence Paraphrase You will see to it that the cyanide stays out of the aspirin, that the bull doesnt jump the fence, or that your client doesnt go to the electric chair as a result of your incompetence. (Para. 5) You have to take responsibility for the work you do. If youre a pharmacist, you should make sure that aspirin is not mixed with poisonous chemicals. As an engineer, you shouldnt get things out of control. If you become a lawyer, you should make sure an innocent person is not sentenced to death because you lack adequate legal knowledge and skill to defend your client. Sentence Paraphrase In addition to all other things these professions offer, they provide you with a living so that you can support a familywife and children. Along with everything else, they will probably be what puts food on your table, supports your wife, and rears your children. (Para. 5) Sentence Paraphrase I hope that your income will always be enough. They will be your income, and may it always suffice. (Para. 5) Inverted sentence, used in a blessing. e.g. May they live long! v. to meet present needs or requirements suffice Word formation a. sufficient n. sufficiency Examples: These rations will suffice until next week. Fifty dollars will suffice me. Fifty dollars will suffice for my needs. Word Study Will the children ever be exposed to a reasonably penetrating idea at home? (6) Will your children ever hear you talk about something profound at home? be exposed to (usually, a new idea or feeling);to be given experience of it, or introduced to it, e. g. reasonably: to a degree that is fairly good but not very good penetrating idea: one that requires the ability of understanding clearly and deeply Sentence Paraphrase Will you be presiding over a family that maintains some contact with the great democratic intellect? (6) preside over: to be in charge or to control a meeting or an event, here used humorously maintain contact with: to keep in touch with. here used figuratively the great democratic intellect: the great democratic thinking Intellect: the ability to understand things and think intelligently Will you be head of a family who bring up kid in a democratic spirit? Sentence Paraphrase Will there be a book in the house? (6) Will you be reading serious books (not just popular fiction)? Will there be a painting a reasonably sensitive man can look at without shuddering? (6) What kind of pictures will you put up in your house? Will you have a painting in your house that shows some taste? Sentence Paraphrase Sentence Paraphrase “I hope you make a lot of it, ” I told him, “because youre going to be badly stuck for something to do when youre not signing checks.” (Para. 8) Notice the sarcastic tone of the writer. If you dont have any goal in life apart from making money to satisfy your desire for material riches, go ahead and make a lot of it. not to know what to do in a particular situation to put you in touch with what the best human minds have thought. (9) .to expose you to/make you understand the ideas, opinions and thinking of the best philosophers, scientists, writers and artists in human history. Sentence Paraphrase Sentence Paraphrase If you have no time for Shakespeare, for a basic look at philosophy, for the continuity of the fine arts, for that lesson of mans development we call historythen you have no bu