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Unit 5
The Company Man
content
1. Text one
2. Text two
3. Oral activity
4. Exercises
Text one
• Pre-reading questions
• Background information
• Vocabulary
• Structure analysis
• Comprehension questions
•
• Language points of Text I
Text I
The Company Man
• Pre-reading questions
1. What do you think is the life of
a typical workaholic like?
2. How important do you think work
is to a person?
3. What drives people to overwork?
Background information (1)
• About the text and the author
• Ellen Goodman(1941 – ), journalist
and columnist who won a Pulitzer
Prize in 1980 for commentary. She
has written for Newsweek, the
Detroit Free Press, and the Boston
Globe. Her works include Turning
Points (1979), Close to Home
(1979), and At Large (1981).
Background information (2)
• Ellen Goodman is an
American original. Her
abundant talents, intellect,
wit, style, news judgment,
set her apart with an élan
uniquely her own. Her
Pulitzer Prize winning
commentary appears in
more
than
375
newspapers
Background information (3)
• Goodman has been an innovative force in American
journalism. She once said, “I think readers need to
be less alienated from editorial pages” and made
them so by expanding the debate on op-ed pages.
She has commented on the tumult of social change
and its impact on families, and shattered the mold of
men writing exclusively about politics.
• Goodman brings new readers to editorial pages. She
is widely acclaimed as a voice of sanity, and readers
depend on her to help them make sense of their
changing lives and relationships. “I have always
read Ellen Goodman,” a Sarasota, Fla., reader says.
“She writes on issues that concern me, no matter
where I’ve lived or where I moved.”
Background information (4)
• In 1980, Goodman was awarded the Pulitzer Prize
for Distinguished Commentary.
• Goodman’s work has won many other awards,
including the American Society of Newspaper
Editors Distinguished Writing Award in 1980. She
received the Hubert H. Humphrey Civil Rights
Award from the Leadership Conference on Civil
Rights in 1988. In 1993, at its Seventh Annual
Exceptional Merit Media Award Ceremony, The
National Women’s Political Caucus gave her the
President’s Award. In 1994, the Women’s
Research & Education Institute presented her with
their American Woman Award.
Background information (5)
• Pulitzer Prize
• Any of several awards established by
Joseph Pulitzer and conferred annually
for accomplishment in various fields of
American journalism, literature, and
music.
Background information (6)
• 1. work while you work play while you play this is
the way to be cheerful and gay
• 2. Never put off the work till tomorrow what you
can put off today. 今日事，今日毕
• 3. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. 只
会用功不玩耍，聪明孩子也变傻
• Work smarter, not harder.更有技巧地工作，而不
是更努力地工作。
• Work has a bitter root but sweet fruit.--German
proverb 工作虽苦,果实却甘--德国谚语
• Many hands make light work.众人拾柴火焰高; 人
多好办事。
• Work makes the workman. 熟能生巧。
Structure analysis of the text (1)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Paragraph 1
This is an introductory paragraph.
Paragraphs 2-6
This part reports how devoted the man was to his
work.
Paragraphs 7-13
This part describes Phil’s role in his family.
Paragraph 14-16
This is the concluding part. After the cause of
Phil’s death being restated, the author goes on to
report the company president’s inquire for his
successor.
Structure analysis of the text (2)
• In a colloquial style, the author paints an
ironic picture of the cutthroat life of a
company man and his family. The man
was a workaholic who died of a heart
attack, which surprised no one. His wife
lost him years ago to his work, and his
children did not know him well. To make
her writing more effective, the author
uses repetition and parallelism.
Structure analysis of the text (3)
• Besides, she deliberately varies the length of
the sentences. By mixing some unusually
short sentences with the long ones, the author
varies their weight and achieves emphasis and
impact. For example, in Paragraph 3, the short
sentence “Phil knew that.” Follows two long
sentences. This helps avoid monotony is
narration and emphasize Phil’s awareness of
the cutthroat competition.
Comprehension questions (1)
• 1. what is meant by the sentence
“she would be well taken care of”
in Paragraph 8?
• Key: It means that the company
Phil worked for would provide
some financial help for his wife so
as to relieve her of any possible
worries about finance.
Comprehension questions (2)
• 2. why is the phrase “dearly
beloved” repeated when referring to
his children in Paragraph 9?
• Key: The phrase “delay beloved” is
repeated to create a sarcastic effect
for his relationship with his children
was far from being close and
intimate and he devoted too little to
his children.
Comprehension questions (3)
• 3. What do you think is the relationship like
between Phil and the three children?
• Key: Refer to Paragraphs 9—12. Successful
as his was as a corporate man, Phil was a
failing father. Is eldest son knew so little about
him that he had to research his father by
asking the neighbors what he was like. His
daughter had nothing to say when staying
along with him. And his younger son, also his
favorite, remarked bitterly that his father and
he only boarded at the home. The relationship
between Phil and his children was distant and
estranged.
Comprehension questions (4)
• 4.what is the implication of the ending?
• Key: It implies the story of Phil sees no end:
He will soon be replaced by an equally
hardworking guy who may following in his
steps and repeat the same tragedy. Bosses are
always on the lookout for workaholics and
they are never in short supply. The ending is
full of sarcasm and bitterness.
Comprehension questions (5)
• 5 . Do you think it is a sheer
waste of life to die so young
for working so hard? How can you
learn from the story of Phil?
Vocabulary
• 1. obituary: 1) [C] a published notice of
death, sometimes with a brief account
of the dead person’s life.
• 2) adj. an obituary notice
讣告
• 深圳市公安边防支队战士艾伟同志在执行海上缉私
任务中因公边艇遭走私快艇撞击而负伤，因伤重抢
救无效，于2005年11月7日22时20分以身殉职，光荣
牺牲，年仅20岁。
• 艾伟同志的追悼会定于2005年11月12日上午10时在
深圳市殡仪馆1号大厅房举行。
• 地址：深圳市龙岗区深惠公路沙湾路段
• 特此讣告
• 深圳市公安边防支队艾伟同志治丧委员会
• 2005年11月9日
• 联系人：关立志
• 联系电话：（0755）83350816－2218213428797579
Funeral notice
• CANSON, Joyce Rea
Sept 5, 1941-Oct 12, 2006…. Mother of Robert
Beverly, Richard Beverly, and Sheila Daniels.
Mother-in-law to Sheryl Beverly, Kim Beverly, and
Darius Daniels. Beloved ''Granny'' to Robert,
Anjalee, Sheila, Clarissa, Raven, and Kathryn. Sister
to Charlotte Smith, Gloria Johnson (husband
Ronald), and the late Jimmy Thorntona (late wife
Polly). Daughter to the late Charles Canson and
Emma Johnson. Survived by many cousins, nieces,
nephews, and good friends. Friends and family are
invited to attend a celebration of Joyces life, Tuesday,
October 17, 2006 at 12 pm at Sierra 2 Center, 2791
24th Street, Sacramento, CA 95818.
• 2. coronary thrombosis: blocking of a
coronary artery by a clot of blood,
damaging the heart and possibly
causing death; heart attack.
• 3. workaholic: [C] a person who works
obsessively and finds it difficult to stop.
• -holic: suffix. means be addicted to
– E.g. alcoholic
• [U] workaholism:
• 4. conceivably: adv. in a manner that can be
imagined or believed.
– E.g. He might conceivably have missed the bus.
• conceivable: adj.
–
–
–
–
E.g.简直难以想象瘦小的他能跑得这么快。
It is hardly conceivable that he can run so fast.
她千方百计得挣钱。
She earned money by every conceivable means
•
•
•
•
•
•
conceive:
1) We didn't conceive such a tragedy could occur.
To be of the opinion that; think:
2) We have to conceive a plan to increase profits.
To form or develop in the mind; devise:
3) I couldn't conceive the meaning of that sentence,
although he explained again.
• To apprehend mentally; understand
• 4)The baby was conceived in February and born in
November.
• To become pregnant with (offspring).
• 5. executive: 1) [C] a person or group having
administrative or managerial authority in an
organization.
• 2) adj. Of, relating to, capable of, or suited for
carrying out or executing:
– E.g.He was a man of great executive ability.
• Vt. execute:
– 1) A government executes the decisions of the
ruling party.
– To put into effect; carry out
– 2) The victim’s relatives expected to execute the
killer.
– To put to death, especially by carrying out a
lawful sentence.
• 6. survive: vt. To live longer than; to
outlive.
– E.g. My father survived my mother by/for
five years
• 7. board: vi. to pay to( or to make
somebody) sleep and eat meals in
somebody’s house.
– E.g. She arranged to board some students
from the university.
• 2) Food or meals considered as a whole:
– E.g. Each student has to pay $100 a month
for board and lodging.
• 8. widow: [C] a woman whose husband
has died, and who has not married again.
• widower: a man whose wife has died,
and who has not married again
• widow: vt. to make a widow or widower
of sb.
• 9. deceased: [C] somebody who has died,
especially
• Adj. dead.
• Vi/ [U] decease:
– E.g. Upon your decease the house will pass
to your wife.
• 10.lineup:[c]A group of people,
organizations, or things enlisted or
arrayed for a purpose:
– E.g. a candidate has an impressive lineup
of supporters.
• a line of people who has died,
especially recently.
Language points of Text I (1-1)
• 1.work himself to death: died from selfmotivated overwork.
• 2. finally: imply the doomed ending of
the workaholic.
• 3. precisely: exactly
– E.g.They arrived at five o’clock precisely.
• Note: Some of its synonyms are exactly,
accurately, definitely
• Emphasize his devotion to work.
Language points of Text I (1-2)
• 4. Why isn’t the name mentioned?
• 1) get the readers involved in finding
out the character.
• 2) suggest the fact that workaholism has
become a common/ubiquitous
phenomenon. workaholics lost their
individuality while they are busy in the
wok.
Language points of Text I (1-3)
• 5. juxtapositions: putting contradictory
actions or ideas together.
• E.g. work to death on Sunday morning,
which creates am image of a workaholic.
Language points of Text I (2-1)
• 1. What type of man was the deceased?
• 2. Were Phil’s friends all greatly
saddened by his sudden death?
Language points of Text I (4-1)
• 2. overweight: weighing more than is normal,
necessary, or allowed, especially having more body
weight than is considered normal or healthy for
one’s age or build.
• Compare: fat, obese, fleshy, stout, pudgy, plump,
chubby
• These adjectives mean having an abundance and
often an excess of flesh.
• Fat implies excessive weight and is generally
unfavorable in its connotations:
•
e.g. Charlie is not merely overweight but
downright fat.
Language points of Text I (4-2)
• obsess implies gross overweight:
•
e.g. “… a woman of robust frame … though
stout, not obsess”
• fleshy suggests a not necessarily excessive
abundance of flesh:
•
e.g. Susan quite likes her boyfriend’s firm,
fleshy arms.
• Stout is sometimes used as a polite term to
describe fatness. In stricter application stout refers
to a person with a thickset, bulky figure:
•
e.g. Even slim girls can become stout matrons.
Language points of Text I (4-3)
• Pudgy means short and fat:
•
e.g. His pudgy fingers look really funny.
• Plump applies to a pleasing fullness of figure:
•
e.g. Everybody loves Rita, the plump, rosy
little girl.
• A chubby person is round and plump:
• e.g. a chubby toddler; chubby checks
Language points of Text I (5)
• 3.survive: to live longer than; to outlive
• e.g. It’s amazing that she should have
survived all her children and grandchildren.
• My father survived my mother by four years.
• 4.marketable: wanted by purchasers or
employers.
• e.g. They have failed to launch a marketable
model for years.
•
It is a good idea to list your marketable
skills before heading for the job fair.
Language points of Text I (6)
• 5. widow: a woman whose husband has
died, and who has not married again.
• widower: a man whose wife has died,
and who has not married again.
• Widow v. to make a widow or widower
of somebody.
• e.g. She calls her windowed
father/mother nearly everyday.
Language points of Text I (7)
• 6.straighten out: to solve or settle: to
remove difficulties from something or
the doubt or ignorance in somebody’s
mind.
• e.g. we need someone capable of
straightening out all the confusion.
• I was then muddled about the
registration procedures. Luckily, she
came in time to straighten me out.
Language points of Text I (8)
• 7. inquiry: a request for help or
information; an investigation
• e.g. There have been many inquires
about the new degree program we
offer.
• Don’t hesitate to check with our
workers at the inquiry desk/office
when in doubt.
Language points of Text I (14)
• 1. a heart-attack natural: a person suited
by nature for heart-attack.
• 2. pick out: select
Language points of Text I (15)
• Why the author repeat the sentence
three times?
• The author relates the two contradictory
ideas—work to death on Sunday
morning.
• Thus reveals Phil’s personality and
suggests that he is destined to be
exhausted.
Language points of Text I (16-1)
• 1. discreetly: self-restraint in speech.
• 2. taste: faculty of discerning what is
excellent and appropriate.
• 3. replacement: substitute.
• It is contradictory to the Paragraph 13.
• It was the same quality, leading to Phil’s
death, that the president was seeking in
the replacement.
Language points of Text I (16-2)
• what is the implication of the ending?
• Key: It reveals handwork is the deciding factor in
determining whether one will be promoted. It is
also an inner drive to hard work.
• It implies the story of Phil sees no end: He will
soon be replaced by an equally hardworking guy
who may follow in his steps and repeat the same
tragedy. Bosses are always on the lookout for
workaholics and they are never in short supply.
• The ending is full of sarcasm and bitterness.
Comprehension questions of
Text II (1)
•
•
1.What is a kind of fundamental malaise
which seems very common and which
poses difficult problems for the social
reformer?
People are troubled by a feeling of
boredom and discontent, so they seem to
yearn for something that may help to boost
their spirits. The rich often feel depressed
and professional men often feel hopelessly
thwarted.
Comprehension questions of
Text II (2)
• 2. What is the first of the two causes that prevent
people from being as happy as one might expect?
• It is the necessity of readiness to submit to others in
some large organization. Conformity is encouraged
and submission is a virtue. If you are bubbling with
energy and laden with ideas, you constantly find
yourself in trouble. You are bossed about by some
big man at the top who is elderly, weary and cynical.
The bright people always suffer from the
impossibility of doing anything they believe to be
right.
Comprehension questions of
Text II (3)
• 3. What is the major cause that prevents people from being
happy as much as possible?
• Most people act on some principles rather than on impulse.
They believe in a general theory on how to make one happy,
but the theory is basically false. A competitive struggle
dominates life in which happiness lied in getting ahead of
those who are your neighbors, colleagues or friends. They
forget joys devoid of competitive elements. Though it is true
that you are mad if you always yield to impulse, it is no less
true that you may dry up by soft degrees if you never yield
to impulse. If you desire to live a healthy and happy life,
you should allow impulse to have sufficient scope to remain
alive and you should preserve a range of interests. However,
if you live merely on principle, you can hardly feel happy.
Comprehension questions of
Text II (4)
• 4. How do you understand the statement that
a life which is all principle is a life on rails?
• In such a life, one may score earthly
achievements in a fairly fast manner, but he
may succeed in attaining his particular goal
at the cost freedom, which is an
indispensable element in happiness.
Oral activities
Organize yourselves into groups
of three to five and discuss the
following issue:
How can Phil avoid his tragedy
Exercises
• 1. Word transformation: P60
• 2. Paraphrase: P61
• 3. Present perfect or present
perfect progressive tense:
P61-62
• 4. translation: P48
• 5. Writing practice
Exercises (1)
Translation exercises
• 1. 我的顶头上司是一个典型的工作狂，一年
到头每天工作10个小时以上。(workaholic)
• My immediate boss is typical workaholic, for he
works for over ten hours each day all the year
round.
• 2. 校长十分注重课外活动。他认为，课外活
动有助于培养学生对外部世界的极大兴趣。
(extracurricular)
• The principal attaches much importance to
extracurricular activities and he believes that they
will help to cultivate students’ tremendous
interest in the external world.
Exercises (1)
• 3. 星期一早上，他总是快速冲个澡，胡乱吃个
三明治，接着赶搭出租车去上班。(grab)
• He always grabs a shower, a sandwich and then a
taxi to go to work every Monday morning.
• 4. 既然你要离开公司了，你要在本周内清算帐
目。(straighten out)
• Since you are leaving the company, you should
straighten out the accounts within the week.
• 5. 为了及时完成他的博士论文，他经常熬夜。
(stay up)
• He often stays up late at night in order to finish
writing his Ph. D. dissertation on time.
Exercises (1)
• 6. 没有什么东西可以取代内心深处最深切的爱。
(replace)
• He is considered a natural for the post of the
president, for he has been an excellent vicepresident for almost ten years.
• 7. 他被认为是总裁职位的当然人选，因为他已
经做了近10年出色的副总裁。(natural)
• He is considered a natural for the post of the
president, for he has been an excellent vicepresident for almost ten years.
• 8. 他实在太普通了，在人群中不会被挑选出来。
（pick out）
• He is just too common to be picked out from the
crowd.
Exercises (2)
• Fill in the blank in each sentence with a word
taken from the box in the proper form.
board
discreetly
executive survive
widow
deceased
precisely
classic
conceivably
grab
obituary workaholic
Exercises (2)
• 1. The woman survived
_________ her husband by
nine years.
grabs
• 2.The plot of the novel _________
the
reader.
• 3. Not wanting to draw any attention, Roy
went discreetly
__________ into the lecture hall.
deceased father
• 4. We learned about her ________
obituary in The Times.
by reading his ________
Exercises (2)
• 5.I do not understand how the arranged marriage
conceivably work out in the more
could ___________
traditional societies.
• 6. The old couple plans to __________
some
board
students from the university .
• 7. The new business writing course is oriented
towards executives
_________ and managers who wasn’t
the individual attention and focused training that
will help them write with impact and
effectiveness.
• 8. Upper-intermediate English learners are often
classics
encouraged to read the _________
of the
English and American literature.
Writing practice (1)
Write a composition of at least
200 words on the following
topic.
Career or Family: which
is more important?
Sample writing
• Career or Family: which is more
important?
• Sample:
• When asked about their opinion of career
and family, people always respond
differently. Some people deem it more
important to pursue their career, while there
are always other people who argue that
family should be the number one in one’s life.
• It goes without any question that career plays
a key role in our life. In the very first place,
career can give us an aim to live on. Without
career, much of our living time will be
certainly wasted. What’s more, career can
provide us with a means to live on. Most of
the people earn their income from a job. On
the other hand, family is also an indispensable
part of life, as many people will admit. Family
is always regarded as a place where we can
escape from troubles in life. In addition, we
can obtain a sense of belonging to from family.
Without it, anyone will feel lonely and
desperate.
• In my opinion, career and family are not in
opposition to each other. Rather, they can
enhance each other so that one’s life can
become better and better. Therefore, it’s not a
choice between right and wrong, but one
between ideal and practical.

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