Unit 16

1776

Teaching aims 1. Improving Reading Skills----appreciating a play 2. Enriching Vocabulary--- enlarging vocabulary cultivating students’ sense of word building understanding that synonyms have fine shades 3. Improving Writing skills---portraying characters,

especially psychological movement making efficient use of elliptical sentences making efficient use of figures of speech

I. Warming upII. Introduction to Additional Background

Knowledge III. Introduction to the PassageIV. Detailed Study of the TextIV. QuestionsV. Rhetorical DevicesVI. Effective Writing Skills

Teaching process

I .Warming up

Have you ever read or watched any English plays?

In what way plays are different from stories?

II． Introduction to Additional Background

1. Introduction to the authors 2. Musical comedy 3. The triangle trade

Peter Stone was born in Los Angesl in 1930. he studied at Bard and Yale, and wrote in France for 12 years. Later he won an Oscar for the film script of Father Goose. After the success of 1776 on Broadway, he wrote the script for its filmed version.

1. Introduction to the authors

Sherman Edwards is a New Yorker, born in 1919. he was educated at New Youk University and Cornell where he majored in history. He was in the Air Force in World War Two, and taught history in high school after the war. A songwriter and occasional actor, it was history that gave him the idea for 1776.

The musical comedy - sometimes called simply ‘musical’ - is the chief form of popular musical theatre in the 20th-century English-speaking world. It developed from comic opera and burlesque in London at the end of the 19th century and reached its most durable form in the work of such American composers as Jerome Kern, George Gershwin, Cole Porter and Irving Berlin in the 1920s and 1930s.

2. Musical comedy

Most musical comedies have a loosely constructed plot combining comic and romantic interest; the musical score usually consists of catchy or sentimental songs, ensembles and dances. The tradition continues in the work of such composers as Stephen Sondheim and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Closely related to the musical comedy is the musical play, a work with a more substantial plot and score (e.g.Bernstein's West Side Story), and the musical film, of which Harry Warren's 42nd Street (1933) is a notable example (though most musical films of this type were simply film versions of stage musicals, e.g.Rodgers's The Sound of Music).

The distinction between musical comedy and operetta is not precise; generally ‘operetta’ is taken to denote an older-style work, with a romantic story and a score using 19th-century European styles.

A slave ship left a European port for West Africa with guns, spirits and other goods for African chieftains. From the west coast of Africa, loaded with slaves, it sailed to the America. There the slaves were sold and after buying cotton, tobacco, molasses, gold and silver, etc., the ship returned to Europe. The sea routes formed a triangle, hence the name.

3. The triangle trade

III. Introduction to the Passage 1. Main idea The text 1776 is about the Second Continental

Congress that was convened in Philadelphia in 1776, in which the united colonies were asked to vote for their independence and the establishment of the United States. Some delegates of the congress were against the separation from Britain. Dickinson, for example, was among them, who thought Britain was the greatest empire on earth and American can enjoy its protection and share its benefits.

Then there were heated debates between the members against independence and those for independence, which even resulted in a fight. In order to make the vote on independence official and formal, Hancock appointed the clergyman Witherspoon Congressional Chaplain. John Adams proposed to postpone the debate because there was no written declaration of independence to vote on.

When they came back again on the written declaration by Jefferson, there were also arguments about amending, deleting some parts of it. Some members insisted that the abolishment of slavery should be included in the declaration. But southern states would not approve it because they seemed unable to go without slavery. Therefore, Franklin thought it was necessary to make some sacrifice or compromise to get the declaration approved unanimously. At last the Second Continental Congress witnessed the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

2. Appreciation and writing features

The text is a musical comedy which provides people with an interesting history lesson. It has a noble theme and noble set of characters. The suspense, the intrigue, the courage and compromise, the richness of men, their vagaries, vanities and fears and their individual pride– all this can be observed while readers read this comedy.

As it is a stage play in genre, the author uses simple, plain and colloquial words and expressions are used in the talks to achieve light entertainment, sometimes archaic terms are used to obtain literary accomplishment, which suit to the age. In brief, the comedy 1776 presents to readers a clear account of how the republic was made.

3. Members of the Continental CongressPresident : John HancockNew Hampshire: Josiah BartlettMassachusetts: John AdamsRhode Island: Stephen HopkinsConnecticut: Roger ShermanNew York: Lewis Morris, Robert LivingstonNew Jersey: Reverend John WitherspoonPennsylvania: Benjamin Franklin, John DickinsonJames Wilson

Delaware: Caesar Rodney, Colonel ThomasMcKean, George ReadMaryland : Samuel ChaseVirginia: Richard Henry Lee, Thomas JeffersonNorth Carolina Joseph HewesSouth Carolina Edward RutledgeGeorgia : Dr. Lyman HallSecretary: Charles ThomsonCustodian and Andrew McNairBell-ringer:

V. Detailed Study of the Text

Understanding of Vocabulary and expressions

. 词汇 (Vocabulary) abridge ( v ． ) :shorten by using fewer words

but keeping the main contents ； condense( 在保留主要内容的同时 ) 减少……的篇幅；删去；简写，精简 ( 文章等 )

custodian ( n.) :a person who has the custody or care of something ， as of a private library ； caretaker ； keeper( 私人图书馆等的 ) 管理员，看管人

tally ( n.) :anything used as a record for an account ， reckoning ， or score 记帐或记分用物

abstain ( v ． ) :decline to use vote( 投票时 ) 弃权 horsefly ( n.) :any of a number of related large flies(Tabanidae) ， the female of which sucks the blood of horses ， cattle ， etc ．虻

quill ( n.) :the hollow ， horny stem of a feather ； calamus 羽毛管 inkwell ( n.) :a container for holding ink ，usually set in the top of a desk ， inkstand ，etc ． ( 镶在桌上或墨水台上的 ) 墨水池 holler ( v ． ) :[colloq ． ]shout or yell[ 口 ]叫喊，呼喊

mill ( v ． ) :[AmE]move slowly in a circle ， as cattle ， or aimlessly ， as a confused crowd(often with around or about)[ 美 ]( 人、家畜 ) 成群地兜圈子；乱哄哄地推挤 ( 常与 around 或 about 连用 ) Quaker ( n.) :a popular name for a member of the Society of Friends ： Friend 贵格会教徒 ( 基督教新教的教友派或“公谊会”教徒的别称 ) distill ( v ． ) :remove ， extract ， or produce by distillation 用蒸馏法提取 ( 或生产 ) ，由蒸馏而得；提纯；精制

rum ( n.) :an alcoholic liquor distilled from fermented sugar cane ， molasses ， etc ．朗姆洒 ( 甘蔗汁制的一种甜酒 ) dammit ( interj.) :amn it(used to express annoyance ， disgust ， impatience) 该死的；他妈的 tria juncta in uno :[Latin]three joined in one[ 拉 ] 三人意见统一 wart ( n.) :an imperfection ， failing ， flaw ， etc ．缺点；缺陷；瑕疵

portly ( adj.) :stout ； corpulent 肥胖的；粗壮的；魁梧的 hawkish ( adj.) :of or like a hawk 像鹰一样的 bespectacled ( adj.) :wearing spectacles戴眼镜的 sycophant ( n.) :a person who seeks favour by flattering people of wealth or influece谄媚者，拍马者

gout ( n.) :disease with inflammation of joints ， esp. of big toe [ 医 ] 痛风 drowse ( v. ) :sleep lightly ； be half asleep ； dose 打瞌睡，打盹 pappy ( n.) :[dial ． or colloq ． ]father[ 方或口 ] 爸爸 vehement ( adj.) :having or characterized by intense feeling or strong passion ； fervent ； impassioned ， etc ．热情的；热烈的；激情的

quietude ( n.) :a state of being quiet ； rest ； calmness 平静，宁静 pedantic ( adj. ) :like or of a pedant 学究气的，书呆子似的 festivity ( n.) :[pl ． ]festive proceedings ；things done in celebration[ 复 ] 庆祝活动，庆典 swat ( v ． ) :[colloq ． ]hit with a quick ，sharp blow[ 口 ] 重拍，猛击 whoop ( n.) :a loud shout ， cry 高叫声，呼喊声

absolve ( v ． ) :free(from a duty ， promise ． etc) 解除 ( 或免 ) 除…的 ( 责任 ) ；使不受 ( 诺言等 ) 约束 allegiance ( n.) :the obligation of support and loyalty to one’s ruler, government, or country( 对统治者、政府、国家 ) 效忠 dissolve ( v ． ) :end by or as by breaking up ； terminate 使结束，使中止

weasel ( n.) :a sly ， cunning ， or sneaky person 狡猾的人，奸刁的人 intone ( v ． ) :speak or recite in a singing tone or in prolonged monotones ； chant吟咏；吟诵；以拖长的音调说话或朗诵 brunt ( n.) :the heaviest or hardest part 正面的冲击；主要的压力

skeptical ( adj.) :not easily persuaded or convinced ； doubting ； questioning 难以说服的；好怀疑的 itch ( v ． ) :have a restless desire or hankering 渴望，追求 sever ( v ． ) :part or break off ， as by cutting or with force ； cut in two 切断，割断

cripple ( v ． ) :make unable or unfit to act ， function effectively ， etc ．； disable使损伤，使丧失活动能力；削弱 muster ( v ． ) :gather together and display ； collect ； summon 鼓起；振作 ( 常与up 连用 ) forsake ( v ． ) :abandon 抛弃，遗弃 anarchist ( n.) :a person who believes in or advocated anarchism 无政府主义者，无政府主义鼓吹者

redress ( v ． ) :set right ； rectify or remedy ，often by making compensation for(a wrong ， grievance ， etc ． ) 纠正，矫正；补偿 treason ( n.) :violation of the allegiance owed to one's sovereign or state ； betrayal of one's country 叛国罪；叛逆行为 pound ( v ． ) :deprive of money or property by violence ； loot 掠夺 (某地 ) 的财物；抢劫 (某人 ) 的财物

stifle ( v ． ) :suppress or repress ； check ， stop ， inhibit ， etc ．抑制；扑灭；镇压 spawn ( vt ． ) :bring forth or be the source of酿成，引起 status quo :the existing state of affairs(at a particular time)(also"status in quo”)现状(亦作 status in quo) seditious ( adj.) :engaging in resistence or rebellion against the government in power 叛乱的

fugitive ( n.) :a person who flees or has fled from danger ， justice ， etc ．逃亡者，逃犯 chaos ( n.) :extreme confusion or disorder纷乱，混乱 (状态 ) ，无秩序 reek ( vi ． ) :be permeated with anything very unpleasant充满 (某种极不愉快的东西 )(通常与 of ， with 连用 ) roach ( n.) :any of an order(Blattalia)of insects with long feelers and a flat soft body(some species are common house—hold pests)蟑螂

aye ( adv ． ) :yes ； yea是；当然 infernal ( adj.) :[colloq ． ]hateful ； outrageous[ 口 ]可恨的，可恶的，讨厌的，该死的 incendiary ( n.) :a person who willfully stirs up strife. riot ， rebellion ， etc ．煽动者 demagogue ( n.) :a person who tries to stir up the people by appeals to emotion ， prejudice ，etc ． in order to win them over quickly and so gain power煽动者，鼓动者；蛊惑人心的政客

fribble ( n.) :any trifling act or thought 无聊的行为或思想 whack ( vt.) :[colloq ． ]strike or slap with a sharp。 Resounding blow[ 口 ] 使劲打；重击 bedlam ( n.) :any place or condition of noise and confusion渲闹或混乱的地方或状态

ascetic ( adj.) : self—denying ； austere苦行 ( 主义 ) 的，禁欲的 emblem ( n.) :a sign ， badge ， or device标记；徽章；像章 ditto ( n.) :the same(as something said or appearing above or before) 同上，同前

felicity ( n.) :a quality or knack of appropriate and pleasing expression in writing ， speaking ， painting ， etc ． (措词等的 )恰当，恰如其分；贴切；巧妙 anteroom ( n.) :a room leading to a larger or more important room ； waiting room前厅； (来宾 )接待室 inalienable ( adj.) :that may not be taken away or transferred 不可剥夺的；不能转让的 levy ( v ． ) :wage(war)发动 (战争 )

bonny ， bonnie ( adj.) :[now chiefly Scot ． or Eng ． dial ． ]fine ； pleasant[现主苏格兰或英方 ] 好的，愉快的，快活的 mercenary ( n.) :a professional soldier hired to serve in a foreign army外国雇佣兵 kilt ( n.) :a pleated skirt reaching to the knees ；esp. ， the tartan ． skirt worth sometimes by men of the Scottish Highlands苏格兰高地男子和苏格兰兵团士兵穿的、方格呢制的褶裥短裙

antagonize ( v ． ) :incur the dislike of ；． make an enemy of招…的怨；引起…的反对；使…与自己为敌 august ( adj.) :inspiring awe and reverence ； imposing and magnificent威严的，威风凛凛的；(建筑物等 )庄严雄伟的 contention ( n.) :a statement or point that one argues for as true or valid(争论中的 )论点；争论点 apoplexy ( n.) :apoplexy sudden paralysis with total or partial loss of consciousness and sensation ， caused by the breaking or obstruction of a blood vessel in the brain ； stroke[ 医 ] 中风

piddle ( v ． ) :dawdle or trifle(sometimes with away)鬼混；游荡；偷懒 (有时与 away 连用 ) abdicate ( v ． ) :give up formally(a high office ，throne ， authority ， etc ． )( 国王 )退 (位 ) ；辞 (职 ) incite ( v ． ) :urge to action ； stir up ； rouse促成；激励；怂恿；鼓动 prostitute ( v ． ) :sell(oneself ， one's artistic or moral integrity ， etc ． )for low or unworthy purposes出卖 (名誉等 ) ；为 (钱 ) 而自甘堕落

aroma ( n.) :a characteristic quality or atmosphere 格调，风格，风味，韵味 seafaring (adj.) :of or engaged in life at sea航海的；海上生活的 elate ( v ． ) :raise the spirit of ； make very happy ， proud ， or joyful 使精神振奋；使欢欣鼓舞；使得意洋洋 glum ( adj. ) :feeling or looking gloomy ，sullen ， or morose忧郁的，闷闷不乐的，愁眉不展的

tavern ( n.) :saloon ； bar 酒馆 credential ( n.) :[usu ． pl ． ]a letter or certificate given to a person to show that he has a right to confidence or to the exercise of a certain position or authority( 常用复 )证明书，介绍信；信任状； (大使等的 ) 国书 jeopardize ( v ． ) :put in jeopardy ； endanger使处于险境；危及，危害 fishwife ( n.) :a coarse ， scolding woman 粗野的女人，泼妇，悍妇

obnoxious ( adj.) :very unpleasant ； objectionable ； offensive令人非常不快的；引起反感的；讨厌的 pageant ( n.) :a spectacular exhibition ， elaborate parade ， etc ．， as a procession with floats华丽的展览；壮观的行列 dilemma ( n.) :any situation in which one must choose between unpleasant alternatives窘境，左右为难

demigod ( n.) :[myth ． ]a lesser god ； minor deity[神话 ]半人半神 poll (v ． ) :[AmE ． ]require each member of(a jury ， committee ， etc ． )to declare his vote individually[ 美 ]个别征求…中成员的意见 nonentity ( n.) :a person or thing of little or no importance 无足轻重的或无用的人或物

anonymity ( n.) :the condition or fact of being anonymous 不知名，无名 reconciliation ( n.) :a reconciling和解；调解 flourish ( n.) :a decorative or curved line or lines in writing(手写花体字上的 )花边，曲线 belfry ( n.) :a bell tower ， esp. one that is part of a building ， placed at the top(尤指建筑物顶上的 )钟塔，钟楼

短语 (Expressions) stand(或 get) in the way:   prevent妨碍 例： She is determined to succeed and won’t l

et anything get／ stand in her way ．她决心要成功，不让任何事情妨碍她。 in aIl fairness:   You use this phrase when you are about to add a com ． ment that corrects a falsa or unfair impression ．完全出于公平起见。 例： In all fairness to Jack ， he was just trying to be helpful ．为杰克说句公平话，他只是想帮忙。 take a chance:   take a risk冒险 例： You don’t get anywhere in life without taking chances ．在生活中，你不冒险就会一事无成。

Understanding of the text 1. the Continental Congress: The First

Continental Congress was convened from Sept. 5 to ()ct. 26, 1774 in Philadelphia. The session's most important act was the creation of the Continental Association, which forbade importation and use of British goods and proposed prohibition of colonial exports. Several petitions of grievances were sent to the king, and the meeting was adjourned until May 10, 1775. Smoke from the battles of Lexington and Concord (April 19, 1775) had scarcely cleared when the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia.

Armed conflict strengthened the radical element, but only gradually did the delegates swing toward independence. A Continental Army was created to oppose the British, and George Washington was appointed commander in chief. On July 4, 1776 a momentous step was taken: Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence.

The Congress operated temporarily as the legislative body of the new nation. Under force of military circumstances, it moved from place to place, meeting at Philadelphia (1775-1776), Baltimore (1776-1777), Philadelphia again ( 1777 ), Lancaster, Pa. (1777), York, Pa. (1777-1778) and Philadelphia once again (1778). After the war ended and the Articles of Confederation took force, the Congress itself eventually dissolved.

2. Featured prominently, rear, is a tally board: A tally board is placed at an easily noticed position at the back of the stage.

featured: given special prominence as a main attraction

tally board: board used as record for score

3. yea: yes, used to express an affirmative vote

4. nay: no, used to express a negative vote

5..... thirteen slots, each with a shuttle containing the name of a single colony: There are thirteen slots in the tally board, and a name plate is placed in each slot. The name plate can slide freely in the slot under the three headings like a shuttle in a weaving loom. This device clarifies the positions of the thirteen colonies at any given moment and allows the audience to follow the parlia- mentary action witho

6. At rise: as the curtain rises 7. save: prep. except, but 8. aging custodian: McNair (an old man,

the caretaker or janitor, is in fact a servant who looks after everything. )

9. a crop of horseflies: a swarm of horseflies

crop :group of collection appearing together, e.g. a new crop of students

10. State House: State House of Pennsylvania, now Independence Hall, where the Second Continental Congress was being held

11. quill pens: In those days pens were made from the quill of a feather.

12. wantin': wanting. The dropping of"g"is supposed to be uneducated, vulgar, or careless pronunciation.

13. Where does the Georgia delegation belong?: Where are the Georgia delegates supposed to sit?

14. they mill about over in that corner- near the two Carolinas:

They are generally found in that corner moving aimlessly near where the delegations from the two Carolinas sit.

mill: move slowly in a circle or aimlessly, often said of cattle.

McNair uses this word jokingly.

15. Old Grape' n' Guts: The nickname Old Grape and Guts is given to Stephen Hopkins of Rhode Island because of his fondness for alcoholic drinks and good food. Grape stands for wine, and guts stomach.

16. heading the pack: The work"pack" is generally used for describing a group of animals, e.g. a pack of hounds or wolves. It is used here jocularly.

17. Quaker: a popular name for a member of the Society of Friends, a Christian religious sect founded in England in 1650 by George Fox. The members of this society have no formal creed, rites, liturgy, or priesthood, and reject violence in human relations, including war.

18. distilled refreshment: euphemism for alcoholic drinks

19. a mug o' rum: a mug of rum rum: an alcoholic liquor distilled from f

ermented sugar cane, molasses, etc. In American usage, it can refer to alcoholic liquor in general.

20. Two mugs o' rum: One is for himself, one for the new arrival.

21. I fear it's little early in the day--: His sentence is interrupted by Old Grape'n' Guts. Hall wanted to say: “I fear it's a little early in the day to have a drink."

22. where does Georgia stand on the question of independence?:

What position does Georgia take on the question of independence?

23. Cod knows I can't keep 'em straight: I swear to God I can't tell which is which. This affected forgetfulness is probably meant to show the two Carolinas always voted the same way and that it is not worth his serious attention to differentiate between them.

24. A pleasure... Your servant... An honor: Standard forms of greeting on being introduced to a stranger in those days.

25. Where'd y' go for it, man--Jamaica?: Sarcasm. Why did it take you so long to get the rum? Where' d y' go = where did you go

Jamaica: island in the West Indies, in the Caribbean, famed for its sugar cane plantations and its rum

26. I am here without instructions, able to vote my own personal convictions: I am here without any explicit instructions from Georgia Assembly, therefore I am able to vote according to my personal convictions.

27. Hall. (a pause; he examines him). Personal: a refusal to disclose how he will vote. People are not supposed to ask personal questions. It is considered impolite or bad manners to do so.

28. The Deep South speaks with one voice: The Deep South speaks in unity and complete agreement, implying the Southern states should have the same stand on the question of independence and should vote the same way.

29. It is traditional--even more, it is historical: This is our tradition --even more, it is rooted in history. The words traditional and historical, which mean quite the same thing, are both used with exaggeration.

30. decorated with a Scottish accent: a metaphor; his broad Scottish accent makes his strong, resonant voice sound more beautiful.

31. tria juncta in uno: (Latin) three joined in one. This is an irony, as the three are seldom united in views.

32. y'know I can't follow none o' y'r damn French: You know I can't follow none of your damn French. It ridicules Mckean's ignorance of foreign languages.

33. a tribute to the eternal peace and harmony of the Delaware delegation: an irony again. See Note 31. for the teachers.

34. With South Carolina, it seems: It seems we have to stand together with South Carolina. Hall is being critical of Rutledge's high-handed behavior.

35. carrying several books: a detail to show that Jefferson was a

learned man and was studious to a fault

36. hawkish man: having a nose resembling the hooked beak of a hawk

37. WILSON. (waiting) Ahem: With a noise like clearing his throat, Wilson now politely reminds Rodney that he has yet to be introduced.

38. how can anyone see you if you insist on standing in Mr. Dickinson's shadow: innuendo. He suggests people ignore Wilson because he always toadies to Dickinson and follows him in everything.

39. He suffers from gout: Gout is a disease resulting from a disturbance of uric acid metabolism. It causes swelling and severe pain, notably in the big toe. This was a disease among the rich, and thought to be the result of excessive rum drinking.

40. Will you get out of my way, please: The sentence shows that Franklin, being the oldest member of Congress, is accustomed to being a bit bluff and rude and takes precedence over others as a matter of course.

41. Good Lord, do you have the honor to be Dr. Franklin: The sentence reveals how much Franklin is admired and held in awe by others. The more usual way of addressing him would have been:"Do I have the honor of speaking to ... ?" The phrase "good Lord” expressing surprise shows that Hall is also obviously a bit flustered by the sight of Franklin's limping and bandaged foot.

42. Been living too high again, eh, Pappy: Been drinking and eating too much again, old man? Hopkins was a close friend of Franklin and not awed by him. In one sentence, he jokes about both his age and his well--known indulgences.

pappy:(colloquial) father, here an affectionate term for an old man

43. I only wish King George felt like my big toe--all over: I only wish that King George felt all over his body the pain that I now feel in my big toe. His reply shows his sharp wit and good temper as well as his hostility to the British Crown.

44. Fetch a pillow--and two more mugs o' rum: The pillow is for Franklin to rest his aching foot on. The two mugs of rum--at least one of them is for himeslf. Hopkin's overfondness of rum should have become quite obvious by now.

45. your voice is hurting my foot: Your voice is piercing; exaggeration for effect.

46. how do you explain the strange quietude that Congress has been treated to these past thirty days?: How do you explain why they (advocates for independence) have been so quiet in the past thirty days? A number of sentences have been left out here. In the original, Franklin had proposed to break the stalemate in Congress by getting someone else to raise the issue of independence instead of John Adams, who was "obnoxious and disliked".

Franklin had got Richard Lee of Virginia to go back to Virginia to get the resolution. He was rather late in coming back. Meanwhile John Adams had refrained from losing his patience. He declared that he would only wait for Lee for one more day. Now Dikinson is deliberately turning to his follower Wilson and making cruel fun of Adams. This, like adding fuel to fire, throws Adams into a rage.

47. the usual morning festivities concluded: A mild sarcasm, meaning now that the usual morning session of drinking is over. Grammatically this part is a nominative absolute construction formed by a noun phrase plus the past participle concluded.

48. call ... to order: a usual expression used at meetings when opening a session or resuming discussions after a recess. Also used when demanding that a. speaker not speak out of turn or other- wise disobey the rules of agenda.

49. Sweet Jesus: a mild oath to show amusement, disgust or despair at the great number of meetings that had already taken place without result and maybe also at the pomposity of the whole show

50. the stores of rum and other drinking spirits are hereby closed to the colony of Rhode Island: Rum and other 'drinking spirits are not to be supplied to Hopkins. The colony of Rhode Island isa metonymy, standing for its delegate Hopkins.

51. The Chair: metonymy. It Stands for the president of the Congress.

52. make the best of it: make the best of his membership; turn the situation to the best advantage. The implication here is that it is difficult to do so in the Congress.

53. the entire delegation of New Jersey: Franklin's son was Royal Governor of New Jersey and was against Independence. His father was not in touch with him. He was later taken prisoner by the Continental forces.

54. Benjy, Johnny, Dickie: Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Richard Lee respectively. The three were on very intimate terms because they had plotted together and were "in'on the secret ma- noeuvre to make Lee put forward the resolution for independence.

55. a Southern war whoop: shouts (or more properly, screams) made by American Indians when going into battle. They were the terror of the early white settlers, but were later picked up and improved upon by the white people. Here Lee lets out a Southern war whoop to show his triumph in bringing back the resolution.

56. is it done?: Have you succeeded? 11. Resolved: A formal decision is made about

the following 57. of a right: by right, in justice

58. they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown: They are freed from all obligations of support and loyalty to their ruler, the British King. the British Crown: metonymy, meaning the British King and all powers of the King

59. I second the proposal: Second means to give formally one' s approval or support to a motion moved as a necessary preliminary to discussion of, or vote on it. As we can see from the play, any member of a delegation is entitled to move or second a proposal, but in voting a delegation must be counted as a whole.

60. y' little weasel: you little weasel, a term of abuse, imputing Read to be a sly, cunning or sneaky person

61. having borne the brunt of the King's tyranny: having suffered most because of the King's tyranny Example: The workers bore the brunt of the economic crisis.

62. Shame! Shame!: Shame on you. This is a usual cry issued when speaker says something particularly unacceptable to others at a meeting. Here it is the word "tyranny" that angers his opponents.

63. Sit down, John: John is again launching into one of his lengthy, repetitious speeches that do more harm than good to the cause of Independence. That is why those for Independence shout"Sit down, John!"

64. Rhode Island is out visitin' the "necessary": Hopkins is out pissing. The "necessary" is a euphemism for the "pisser", which straight forward word is used by Hopkins elsewhere in the play. ("You'd think the Congress would have its own pisser! ") The word piss is vulgar in all uses.

65. After what Rhode Island's consumed, I can't say I'm surprised: After Hopkins has drunk so much rum, I'm not at all surprised that he should do that.

66. Rhode Island passes: This is an unintentional pun. Thomson means, by saying “passes", that he' 11 come back to Rhode Island later. But the verb"pass" can mean to pass water (urine).

67. Laughter, Thomson looks around, not understanding: The delegates are laughing at the pun, but Thomson, being pedantic, if not dull, doesn' t realize this. Such is one of the small instances of comedy one would expect to find in a musical comedy.

68. While Connecticut has, till now, been against this proposal ... could not any longer withhold its support: Till now Conn. has been against independence. The Conn. legislature instructs that

if the proposal for independence is put forward by any colony outside of New England, Conn. would change its attitude and give its support. The reason for this instruction may be that as one of the six colonies of New England, Connecticut doesn't want to act as a bloc against the other colonies. Connecticut's about-face seems to prove the correctness of Franklin's strategy so he and John exchange satisfied looks.

69. New York abstains--courteously: Morris personally favours Independence, but his hands are tied as the New York legislature has never sent him “explicit instructions on anything."

70. Maryland would welcome independence if it were given but is highly skeptical that it can be taken: Maryland would welcome independence if it were granted by the mother country, but we doubt very much that independence can be taken with force. In other words, Maryland would not object to independence if it were given as a gift, which is not likely to happen (the impossibility is expressed by the subjunctive mood "were"). Maryland doesn't want to make revolution in order to win independence. skeptical (also spelt sceptical): unwilling to believe,' doubting, distrustful.

Examples: I' m skeptical of (about) their team's ch

ances of winning. Many people are skeptical that the Pre

sident's policy can solve inflation and unemployment.

71. Virginia, the First Colony: Virginia, named after Elizabeth I, the"Virgin Queen. ", was the first colony of America, where the first permanent English settlement was founded in May, 1607. See Note 9 to "the text.

72. North Carolina respectfully yields to South Carolina: North Carolina submits to South Carolina with respect, yield: vi. to give up, to give way

Examples: 1) Though he was badly wounded, he refused to

yield to the enemy. 2) I hope you'll not yield to his persuasion. 3) The disease yielded to treatment.

73. effect a separation: bring about, accomplish independence

74. Yes, Mr Hewes, I know: Thomson knows from experience that North Carolina would follow S.C. slavishly in all voting.

75. Georgia seems to be split right down the middle on this issue: It seems that in Georgia majority opinion is against independence but Hall (Georgia's delegate) is for independence. He finds it hard to come to a decision.

76. So in all fairness until I can figure it out, I'd better lean a little toward their side: To be totally impartial, until I find the correct answer, I' d better incline a little toward their opinion.

fair: just, honest, impartial, unprejudiced (e. g. that's not fair)

figure out: (colloquial) solve, think it out 77. So it's up to me, is it?: Note"is it", not"isn't it".

Here Hopkins is not actually asking a question. It's an emphatic form of saying "The whole thing is now resting on my shoulders, eh?"

33. a rum: a drink of rum. Similarly, a whiskey a beer, a brandy, etc. But not a red: wine or a white wine. A: red wine means a kind or brand of red wine, not a drink of red wine.

IV. Questions

What was the stand of Dr. Lyman Hall on the question of independence?

A vote was taken. What was the vote on? Make a list of those for, those against, and the one who abstained. Also: which are New England states, which middle, which Southern?

Why did Hancock vote fro unanimity? Why did John Adams want to postpone the

debate?

V. Rhetorical Devices Simile Metaphor Sarcasm Irony Ridicule Pun Antithesis Hyperbole Euphemism Innuendo Metonymy Synecdoche alliteration

VI. Effective Writing Skills

portraying characters, especially psychological movement

making efficient use of elliptical sentences

making efficient use of figures of speech

Assignment

Do exercises