Lesson TwelveThe Kindness of StrangersIntroduction to the textnPlot: The author traveled across the States alone to find out if people were willing to help strangers.n Setting: People in the United States seem to have become more and more indifferent to other peoples needs.n Protagonists: “I” and the people helping “I”Theme of the storynThe author of this article tries to tell people that based on his personal experience, one can still depend on the kindness of strangers in the United States.Structure of the textnPart 1 (paras. 1 4 ) about: The reason why the author decided to start on this journey. nPart 2 (paras. 5 7 ) about:The authors plan for the trip.nPart 3 (paras. 8 11 ) about: The author was treated with kindness everywhere he went.nPart 4 (paras.12 15 ) about: The authors experience at the Wilsons.authornTennessee Williams (19111983)n One of Americas greatest playwrights, and certainly the greatest ever from the South, Tennessee Williams wrote fiction and motion picture screenplays, but he is acclaimed primarily for his twenty-five full-length plays nearly all of which are set in the South, but which at their best rise above regionalism to approach universal themes.States in the U.S.AStates in the U.S.ALanguage study1. to come upon:nto meet, find, or discover by chance or by accidentnDuring their trip they came upon an unknown animal.nThe other day, I came upon a very interesting book that deals with this issue. 2. to leave sb./sth. done:nto make sb./sth. stay in a certain statenThey left the food untouched.nNever leave the door unlocked. 3. gamble: a risky matter or act; play cards or other games for moneyne.g. I dont know if I can rely on him, but I am willing to take a . on: take the risk that sth will go well, or as one wishes, after doing sth that depends on itn e.g. They carried out the robbery on Christmas Day, ing on no one being in the building.nIll on his honesty and lend him the money.gamblenHe lost lots of money ing at poker.nHe is ing with the passengers lives driving as fast as that.nDont with your future.4. pullnHe had to pull up his car at the red light.nThe policeman ordered him to pull overnShe pulled in to let the truck pass. pull-VP npull over/off: (of a vehicle) move over to one side of the roadnpull in: (of a train) arrive at a station; (of vehicle) move over to one side of the road and stopnpull out: (of a train) leave a stationnpull ahead: to get in front by moving fasternpull away: (of a vehicle) start to move offnpull up: (cause to) come to a stop 5. would rather than nId rather stay home than go out tomorrow.nWed rather live a simple life with clean air, clean water and food than a life of luxuries in a heavily polluted place. 6. compassion vs. sympathy nCompassion: implies pity accompanied by an urge to help or sparenE.g. Moved by , I didnt press for paymentnThe nurse attended to the wounded day and night with great . nThe ate judge gave the young offender a light sentence. sympathy nimplies such a sameness of feeling as enable one to really understand or even to share the sorrow etc. of othersnE.g. He felt tremendous for the war orphans. nHe felt for her suffering. 7. now were talkingna very good idean- I suggest we first get a hamburger and then a big ice-cream.n- Now we are talking! Lets go.n- Lets call it a day. We cant work all day.n- Now we are talking. 8. Tell you what.n- Id like to go very much. But its too far away.n- Tell you what. You take my car. Im not going anywhere today.n- I wont be able to come back until 7. But I have to pick up my son at 5:30.n- Tell you what. Ill pick up your son and bring him to my place. 9. to be scheduled to do sth.:nto be planned that sb. will do sth. or sth. will happennThe railway is scheduled to go into operation in 2005. nThe sale is scheduled for tomorrow.nShe is scheduled to give a speech tonight.nHe had been scheduled to arrive in Beijing the next week.