A man is not made for defeat. A man can be destroyed but not defeated.
— Ernest Hemingway
Unit Goals
After learning the unit, students are expected
·to know Ernest Hemingway and his writing style,
·to understand the theme of human survival and heroism,
·to enhance vocabulary development and other language skills necessary for literary appreciation,
·to learn some useful words and expressions from the unit, and
·to improve English language skills, communication skills and critical thinking.
Before You Read
1. Pair Work: Discuss the following situation with your partner.
Imagine you are going alone on an adventure — deep sea fishing, hunting in the woods, canoeing down a river, exploring mountains in the wilderness. You will be alone during the entire adventure, which will last a few days. Answer the following questions:
1) What supplies will you bring and why?
2) What should you know? Why is this knowledge important?
3) What difficulties will you be likely to meet?
4) What characteristics will you need to confront and conquer these difficulties?
5) Why will you go alone?
6) What do you like about this adventure?
2. Brainstorming: Before you read the story, please write a list of the qualities of a hero. Try to list at least ten qualities, and be prepared to defend them. After you read Text A, try to explain how many of them fit the character Santiago.
3. Form groups of three or four students. Try to find, on the Internet or in the library, information about Ernest Hemingway and his major works. Give a presentation on how his “Iceberg Principle” and “Code Hero” are reflected in them.
Start to Read