Unit 4
Moments of kindness and reconciliation are worth having, even if the parting has to come sooner or later.
— Alice Munro
Because I am a woman, I must make unusual efforts to succeed.If I fail, no one will say, “She doesn’t have what it takes.” They will say, “Women don’t have what it takes.”
— Clare Boothe Luce
Unit Goals
After learning the unit, students are expected to be able
·to know Alice Munro as a Canadian short-story writer and the winner of 2013 Noble Prize in Literature,
·to understand characterization in fiction-writing,
·to understand the theme of female concerns in the story,
·to enlarge English vocabulary and reinforce grammatical knowledge, and
·to improve language proficiency and critical thinking through the content of this unit.
Before You Read
1.Form groups of three or four students.Try to find information about Alice Munro, and analyze how her life story has influenced her writing.Prepare a presentation of ten minutes to talk about your ideas.
2.What do you know about married women’s lives? Are there dilemmas troubling their lives? Discuss with your partners.
3.Have you ever thought of being yourself for a while? Talk to your partner about the reason.
Start to Read