Unit 1 My Father

A story told by the daughter of a famous actor by Amy Mitford

Text Comprehension

 It is a daughter’s view on her relationship with her father.  This passage is written from a personal viewpoint.  As readers, we should be aware of the subjectivity of the views expressed in this passage  Passages like this usually include a number of facts,which are interpreted by the narrator from how he/she feels about them. Probably, others have different,even opposite, views on the same facts. .. What is the text mainly about?

 In the article, the narrator presents her personal impression about her father from two perspectives: first, she describes her father’s character, which is completely different from her own; secondly, she tells the reader that she and her father have different interests. We can conclude that they are not very close. Summary of the text

 The narrator doesn't feel close to her father.  He isn’t easy to get on with. He’s quite self-centred, and a little bit vain, and in some ways quite unapproachable. The first paragraph:

1. I don't really know my father. He isn't easy to get on with. He's quite self-centred, and a little bit vain, I think, and in some ways quite unapproachable. The public must think he's very easy-going, but at home he keeps himself to himself.get on with. Vain: full of self-admiration; thinking too highly of one’s appearance, abilities, etc./// In vain: without success e.g., All our efforts were in vain. Easy-going: relaxed and happy to accept things without worrying or getting anyry e.g., I wish I had such easy-going parents! Keep (oneself) to oneself: to avoid meeting people socially or becoming involved in their affairs e.g., Nobody knows much about him; he keeps himself very much to himself. 不交际 Cf. keep sth. to oneself 保守秘密 Unapproachable: (of a person) unfriendly and not easy to talk to The public are fascinated with the private lives of public figures. 公众对社会名流的私生活具有浓厚的兴趣。

 The narrator cites a number of examples to support her statement.  (vain—He loves being asked for his autograph, loves to be recognized, and shows off his awards to whoever comes to his house. ) The second paragraph:

2.He can't have been at home much when I was a child, because I don't remember much about him. He's always been slightly out of touch with family life. His work always came first, and he was always off somewhere acting or rehearsing. He loves being asked for his autograph, he loves to be recognized. Be/become out of touch with sb/sth: 同... 失去联系, Be/get/keep in touch with sb/sth: 同... 有联系 lose touch with 和... 失去联系 touch sb. home 触到某人的痛处, 大伤某人的感情 Come first: 首要 ; 第一 ; 首先要考虑的 to be considered more important than anything else When you look for a boy friend, what comes first in your consideration, appearance or personality? Rehearse: to practice (a part in a play, for example) in preparation for a public performance 预演, 排演 She walked along rehearsing her excuse for being late. dress rehearsal 彩排

2.He has won several awards, and he's very proud of that. He was made a Member of the British Empire, and we had to go to Buckingham Palace to get the medal. It was incredibly boring. There were hundreds of other people getting the same awards, and you had to sit there for hours. He shows off his awards to whoever comes to the house.awardsMember of the British Empire, Buckingham Palace Be proud of/that/to be: feeling pleased and satisfied about sth that sb owns or has done, or I is connected with e.g., Your achievements are something to be proud of. / She was proud that her daughter had so much talent. Show off: (infml) to try to impress others by talking about one’s abilities, possessions, etc. a suit that shows off her figure well 能充分显示她美好身材的衣服

Buckingham Palace 白金汉宫

The ceremony of the Changing of the Guard