Unit 2The Fourth Tuesday- We Talk About Death

Introduction

People know they’re going to die but nobody believes it. To be prepared for death at any time, you can be more involved in your life. Do what the Buddhists do; have a bird on your shoulder that asks, “Is today the day?” Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live.

Body IPeople don’t really believe they are going to die because most of them don’t experience the world fully. They automatically do the things that they think they have to do. However, facing death can strip away all that stuff and make people focus on the essentials.

Body II

If you really accepted that you could die at any time, you might not be as ambitious as you are. You might make room for some more spiritual things. We tend to spend too much time on materialistic things but take spiritual things for granted such as the loving relationships we have, the universe around us.

ConclusionThough Morrie can’t go out freely without fear of getting sick, he appreciates the window more than Mitch does. Since he knows his time is almost done, he is drawn to nature like he is seeing it for the first time. That’s what Morrie means by saying, “Learn how to die and you learn how to live.”

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“People know they’re going to die,” Morrie said, “but nobody believes it. If only we did, we would do things differently.” “So we kid ourselves about death,” I said. “Yes, but there’s a better approach: to know you’re going to die, and to be prepared for it at any time. That’s better. That way, you can actually be more involved in your life while you’re living.” “How can you ever be prepared to die?” I asked.

If only we did, we would do things differently.”

If only 在此譯作「要是…」，表示「與現在事實相反」， 動詞要用假設的時態。

例 : If only Julia could speak Japanese, she could have a chat with Ayu. 要是 Julia 會說日文，她就可以和 Ayu 聊天。

例 :If only I had been able to swim that summer! 要是那年夏天我會游泳就好了 !

[ 問題 1]1.但願人類能和大自然和諧相處。

2. 我剛剛上課要是有作筆記就好了。

3. Mary 要是有帶雨傘，現在就不會淋濕了。

kid vt. 欺騙 (= deceive/fool/trick)◊ The widow tried to kid herself that everything

would be okay.

be prepared for + N. (prepare oneself for) be prepared to + V.

be involved in 參與；投入

at any time 隨時 (= anytime, any time)◊ The salesperson promised that if the cell

phone couldn’t work, I could exchange it for a new one at any time.

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“Do what the Buddhists do. Every day, have a little bird on your shoulder that asks, ‘Is today the day? Am I ready? Am I doing all I need to do? Am I being the person I want to be?’ ” He turned his head to his shoulder as if the bird were there with him now. “Is today the day I die?” he asked. “The truth is, Mitch,” he said, “once you learn how to die, you learn how to live.” I nodded.

what 在此作複合關係代名詞，即 the things which ，前方不需先行詞。 what 在此引導的名詞子句，作動詞 do 的受詞，例：

◊ Barbie couldn’t grasp what I just said, so I had to explain to her again.

複合關係代名詞除了有 what 之外，還有whoever 、 whomever 、 whatever 、 whichever 等，由疑問詞加上“ -ever” 字尾的字詞，例：◊ Whoever attend the meeting will get a special gift. (→ whoever 引導名詞子句，作主詞 ) ◊ You may send the invitation to whomever you wish to invite. (→ whomever 引導名詞子句，作受詞 )

◊ Freedom of speech doesn’t mean you can say whatever you want to hurt other people. (→ whatever 引導名詞子句，作受詞 )

◊ Whichever day you choose is fine with me. (→ whichever 引導名詞子句，作主詞 )

所謂的複合關係代名詞就是先行詞加上關係代名詞，其可以引導名詞子句，作主詞、受詞或者是補語，也可以引導表示「讓步」的副詞子句，例：

◊ Whatever your parents say, they don’t mean to hurt you.

(→ whatever 引導表示「讓步」的副詞子句 ) ◊ Whichever I choose, it cost me more than ten

thousand dollars. (→ whichever 引導表示「讓步」的副詞子句 )

He turned his head to his shoulder as if the bird were there with him now.

Am I doing all I need to do? Am I being the person I want to be?

此兩句均為現在進行式

He turned his head to his shoulder as if the bird were there with him now.

as if 在此譯作「彷彿」，在此句中引導表示與事實相反 的子句，事實是他旁邊並沒有鳥。

as if 假設的用法，是比較與主要動詞是否同一時間，若同一時間，則假設用過去式；若發生時間較早或有完成概念，則假設用過去完成式。

例 : Mary looks at me as if she didn’t know me.

( 事實是 Mary knows me.) ( 情境 knows 與 looks 同一時間，故假設用

過 去式 didn’t know)

例 :Sue was new here, but she talked to her neighbors as if she had known them for a long time.

(“ 認識很久”有完成概念，故假設用過去完成式 had known)

[ 問題 2]

1.Joe 打破了花瓶，但他表現得彷彿沒事發生一樣。

2. 麥可 ( 現在 ) 吃東西的樣子好像好幾天沒吃東西了。

once conj. 一旦◊ Once you try this drug, you may get addicted to it.

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“I’m going to say it again,” he said. “Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live.” He was making sure I absorbed this point, without embarrassing me by asking if I had really got it. It was part of what made him a good teacher.

He was making sure I absorbed this point, without embarrassing me by asking if I had really got it.

make sure 確認◊ Celia made sure that she signed her name before

handing in the contract. absorb vt. 理解，汲取 ( 知識等 )

(= take in/get/grasp)◊ The genius spent only ten seconds absorbing all

the information in the article.

He was making sure I absorbed this point, without embarrassing me by asking if I had really got it.

此處為間接問句， if 在此譯作「是否」，即whether ，引導名詞子句，作動詞 ask 的受詞。

請將本句 ( 間接問句 ) 改為直接問句 : …by asking,

“ ?”

[ 問題 3]

“Did you think much about death before you got sick?” I asked. “No,” Morrie smiled. “I was like everyone else. I once told a friend of mine, in a moment of exuberance, ‘I’m gonna be the healthiest old man you’ve ever met!’ ” “How old were you?” I asked. “In my sixties,” Morrie smiled again. “So you were optimistic,” I said. “Why not?” Morrie replied. “Like I said, people don’t really believe they’re going to die.”

4/11

請將以下句子 ( 直接問句 ) 改為間接問句

[ 問題 4]

“Did you think much about death before you got sick?” I asked.

I asked .

“How old were you?” I asked.

I asked

a friend of mine 限定詞 ( 如冠詞、指示形容詞、不定形容詞、所有格等 ) 可用以修飾名詞，但不能同時使用 兩個。若要同時使用，必須改以「雙重所有格」的形式呈現，以表示關係。「雙重所有格」 的寫法為「限定詞 + N + of + 所有格代名詞」，例： ◊ Have you learned this news of the teacher’s?

5/11

“But everyone knows someone who has died,” Isaid. “Why is it so hard to think about dying?” “Because,” Morrie continued, “most of us all walk around as if we’re sleepwalking. We really don’t experience the world fully, because we’re half asleep, automatically doing the things we think wehave to do.” “And facing death changes all that?” I asked. “Oh, yes. You strip away all that stuff and you focus on the essentials,” he said. “When you realize you are going to die, you see everything much differently.” He sighed. “Learn how to die, and you learn how to live.”

“Because,” Morrie continued, “most of us all walk around as if we’re sleepwalking.

1. 此句中的 we’re 是甚麼的縮寫 ?

2. 又此句中的 as if 有搭配與事實相反的假設嗎 ?

3. 本句要表達的意思是什麼 ?

[ 問題 5]

We really don’t experience the world fully, because we’re half asleep, automatically doing the things we think we have to do.”

=…, because we’re half asleep the things we think we have to do.”

[ 問題 6]

本句主詞為動名詞片語 facing death ，其後動詞應與其一致，使用單數動詞。

◊ Thinking positively helps the patient who suffers from stomach cancer stay in a jovial mood.

essential n. pl. (the ～ ) 要素，要點◊ Diligence is one of the essentials for success.

連接詞 and 用於祈使句之時，譯作「那麼…」，此句型可代換成 if

◊ Never give up, and you’ll finally reach your goal. = If you never give up, you’ll finally reach your

goal.

or 則譯作「否則…」 ◊ Don’t eat too much, or you’ll gain weight.

I noticed that he quivered now when he moved his hands. His glasses hung around his neck, and when he lifted them to his eyes, they slid around his temples as if he were trying to put them on someone else in the dark. I reached over to help guide them onto his ears.

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[ 問題 7]His glasses hung around his neck, and when he lifted them to his eyes, they slid around his temples as if he were trying to put them on someone else in the dark.

請解釋本句中 as if 之句型 ( 有假設與否 ? 為什麼動詞用 were trying)

“Thank you,” Morrie whispered. He smiled when my hand brushed up against his head. The slightest human contact was immediate joy. “Mitch,” he said. “Can I tell you something?” “Of course,” I replied. “You might not like it,” he cautioned. “Why not?” I asked. “Well, the truth is,” he began, “if only you really listened to that bird on your shoulder and accepted that you could die at any time, then you might not be as ambitious as you are.”

7/11

brush against 輕拂◊ Phoebe’s long hair brushed against my

arm in the breeze.

caution (v.) 警告；告誡

. . . “if only you really listened to that bird on your shoulder and accepted that you could die at any time, then you might not be as ambitious as you are.”

if only 在此譯作「要是…」，表示「與現在事實相反」。此句型詳細用法請見本課句型解析 1 。

A + be + as adj. as + B 為原級形容詞的比較句型，譯作「 A 和 B 一樣…」，例：

◊ The captain of the team is as excellent as his coach has expected.

原形比較級 1 S1 + be + as adj. as + S2 → S1 + be + the same + N + as + S2

◊ My PE teacher is as old as my father.　→ My PE teacher is the same age as my father.

2 S1 + V + as + adv. + as + S2 ◊ Mark claimed that he could play golf as well as Yani

Tseng. 3 S1 + be/V + as + adj. + N(P) + as + S2 ◊ I can draw as beautiful a picture as Marc Chagall (does). 4 S1 + be + not + as/so + adj. + as + S2

　→ S1 + be + less + adj. + than + S2

◊ Linkin Park’s songs are not as/so familiar to the locals as Jay Chou’s.→ Linkin Park’s songs are less familiar to the locals than

Jay Chou’s.

I forced a small grin. “The things you spend so much time on all this work you do might not seem as important,” he continued. “You might have to make room for some more spiritual things.” “Spiritual things?” I asked. “You hate that word, don’t you?” Morrie said. “ ‘Spiritual.’ You think it’s touchy-feely stuff.” “Well,” I said. He tried to wink, a bad try, and I burst into laughter.

8/11

force a grin/smile/laugh 強作笑顏◊ In order not to worry his parents, the boy who

just broke up with his girlfriend forced a grin upon getting home. make room (for sth) ( 為… ) 騰出空間◊ If you want to buy any new furniture, first and

foremost you have to make some room.

“You hate that word, don’t you?” 附加問句 (tag question) 通常用於口語或非正式

用法之中，可置於肯定句或否定句後方，用以表示尋求他人認可或請求協助。附加問句的語氣必須與主句相反。肯定句的附加問句應為否定語氣，否定句的附加問句則應為肯定語氣。

附加問句1 aren’t I ：在 I am . . . 的句子中，附加問句應為 aren’t I ，

例：◊ I’m the first person to come to the party, aren’t I?

2 否定字詞：否定句中並不一定會出現 not ，而是可能改用never 、 seldom 、 hardly 、 little 、 none 等否定字詞，其後附加問句依然必須為肯定語氣，例：◊ You have little money left, do you?

3 祈使句：祈使句中，省略了主詞 you ，因此在加上附加問句時，應使用 won’t/will/would/can/can’t/

could you ，例：◊ Turn off the TV before you go to bed, won’t you?

4 let’s ：在以 let’s 為首的句子中，附加問句一律使用 shall we ，以表示提議，例：◊ Let’s go to a movie together tonight, shall we?

5 請求協助：否定句加上附加問句可用以表示請求他人提供協助，例：◊ You couldn’t pass me the pepper, could you?

6 語調：附加問句的語調會根據語意的不同而有所差異。若說話者對陳述的語句沒有把

握，想要徵求他人的認可時，其語調同一般的疑問句，音調向上；若說話者對陳述的語

句相當肯定，只是用以引起他人注意或尋求附和時，其語調下降。

burst into + N. (tears, laughter…)= burst out + Ving 突然 ( 大哭、笑 ) (crying, laughing)

“Mitch,” he said, laughing along, “even I don’t know what ‘spiritual development’ really means. But I do know we’re deficient in some way. We are too involved in materialistic things, and they don’t satisfy us. The loving relationships we have, the universe around us, we take these things for granted.”

9/11

take sb/sth for granted 將…視為理所當然◊ Many children take it for granted that their

parents should offer them everything they ask for.

He nodded toward the window with the sunshine streaming in. “You see that? You can go out there, outside, anytime. You can run up and down the block and go crazy. I can’t do that. I can’t go out. I can’t run. I can’t be out there without fear of getting sick. But you know what? I appreciate that window more than you do.”

10/11

此處屬於 with + O + OC 表示附帶說明的用法，由於動詞 stream 和受詞 the sunshine 的關係為主動，故改寫為現在分詞，作受詞補語。

without fear (of sth) 不害怕 (…) ◊ In spite of the approach of the typhoon, Miquel

went surfing without fear of drowning himself.

“Appreciate it?” I asked. “Yes,” Morrie said. “I look out that window every day. I notice the change in the trees and how strong the wind is blowing. It’s like I can see time passing through that windowpane. Because I know my time is almost done, I am drawn to nature like I’m seeing it for the first time.” He stopped, and for a moment we both looked out the window. I tried to see what he saw. I tried to see time and seasons, and my life passed in slow motion. Morrie dropped his head slightly and curled it toward his shoulder. “Is it today, little bird?” he asked. “Is it today?”

11/11

like 在此並不是一般用以表示「像」的介系詞。 like 在此為連接詞，譯作「彷彿」，即 as if 或 as though 之意。為非正式用法，不過，就正式的文體看來，這是不適當的。下句的 like 用法亦同。

I. Which of the following statements is the main idea of the reading? Check ( ) the correct answer.

Comprehension Check

_____1. We should not be optimistic, since we will die eventually._____ 2. Everything that we spend time doing is of no importance at all._____ 3. Once we learn how to die, we learn how to live._____ 4. We should study Buddhism in order to learn more about spiritual things.

II. Choose the correct answer to each question or statement.( ) 1. According to the reading, what can we do to get prepared for death? (A) We can keep birds on our shoulders and talk to them. (B) We can automatically do the things that we have to do. (C) We can try to become the people that we really want to be. (D) We can expect words of wisdom from our elders to teach us more.

C

( ) 2. Why does Morrie say, “Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live,” more than one time? (A) He wants to make sure that his student has caught it. (B) He does so because he doesn’t remember saying it. (C) He tries to persuade himself into believing it. (D) He repeats it to the bird on his shoulder.

A

( ) 3. Which of the following statements is true? (A) Knowing how to die will prevent us from dying accidentally. (B) People should avoid sleepwalking because it is too dangerous. (C) When we know life is coming to an end, we will cherish the time left for us even more. (D) People can readily accept the fact that they are going to die.

C

( ) 4. From the reading, we can infer that _______. (A) just like Mitch, Morrie doesn’t like touchy-feely things (B) Morrie passes away after he curls his head to his shoulder (C) when people are dying, they will often gain a different perspective on life (D) Mitch totally agrees with Morrie about whatever Morrie tells him about life

C

I. In the passage, Morrie suggests that Mitch make more room for “spiritual things.” What are “spiritual things”? Share your thoughts with the class.

II. In tuesdays with Morrie, Mitch regularly visits Morrie, his old college professor, after learning that the professor is going to die. If someone you care about is going to die, what will you do and how will you interact with this person?

Questions for Discussion