We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive.He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love.There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us.When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.
—Martin Luther King, Jr.
Unit Goals
After learning the unit, students are expected to be able
·to understand the features of English Critical Realism of the 19th century,
·to know Charles Dickens as the greatest novelist of the Victorian period,
·to understand the plot devices used by Agatha Christie in her mystery stories,
·to understand the use of dramatic monologue as a poetic device,
·to master the useful words and expressions in the writings, and
·to improve language proficiency and critical thinking through the content of this unit.
Before You Read
1.Brainstorming activity: Family or enemy?
When does family feel like the enemy?
Do you believe that blood is thicker than water?
Do you agree or disagree that family are the only people who hurt you most?
How should we face and solve family conflicts?
2.English Critical Realism of the 19th century flourished in the forties and in the early fifties.The critical realists described with much vividness and artistic skill the chief traits (characteristics) of the English society and criticized the capitalist system from a democratic viewpoint.It found its expressions in the form of novel.The greatest English realist of the time was Charles Dickens.Expound the features of this literary trend with reference to Dickens’ works.
Reflects the reality objectively, concretely and genuinely.
Discloses and criticizes the reality strongly.
Creates the typical characters under the typical circumstances.
3.Do you know the following novels written by English critical realists? Please match the works with their authors.
1) Charles Dickens
a. Adam Bede