Section BSection B

Disney Mirrors AmerDisney Mirrors American Cultureican Culture

Background InformationBackground Information

1. Walt Disney Company1. Walt Disney Company

    It was formerly (1929—1986) known aIt was formerly (1929—1986) known as Walt Disney Productions. It is an Amers Walt Disney Productions. It is an American corporation that was the best-knowican corporation that was the best-known provider of family entertainment in the n provider of family entertainment in the 20th century. It is getting even more pop20th century. It is getting even more popular now.ular now.

2. Walter Elias Disney 2. Walter Elias Disney

    Walter Elias Disney was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1901. Walter Elias Disney was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1901. He was famous as a pioneer of animated cartoon films (He was famous as a pioneer of animated cartoon films ( 动画动画片片 ) and as the creator of such cartoon characters as Mickey M) and as the creator of such cartoon characters as Mickey Mouse (ouse ( 米老鼠米老鼠 ) and Donald Duck () and Donald Duck ( 唐老鸭唐老鸭 ). Walt produced s). Walt produced such animated classics (uch animated classics ( 经典动画片经典动画片 ) as ) as Snow White and the SSnow White and the Seven Dwarfseven Dwarfs ( ( 《白雪公主》《白雪公主》 )) ，， PinocchoPinoccho ( ( 《木偶奇遇《木偶奇遇记》记》 )and )and DumboDumbo ( ( 《小飞象》《小飞象》 ). He also planned and built ). He also planned and built Disneyland, a huge amusement park that opened near Los AngDisneyland, a huge amusement park that opened near Los Angeles in 1955. During his lifetime Disney won a record of 30 Aeles in 1955. During his lifetime Disney won a record of 30 Academy Awards(cademy Awards( 奥斯卡金像奖奥斯卡金像奖 ) and had been named among ) and had been named among the most successful American entrepreneurs (the most successful American entrepreneurs ( 企业家企业家 ). Walt ). Walt Disney died on December 15, 1966.Disney died on December 15, 1966.

3. Disney World3. Disney World

    Walt Disney World opened near OrlanWalt Disney World opened near Orlando, Florida, in 1971. It is the most populdo, Florida, in 1971. It is the most popular theme park in the world; it draws ovear theme park in the world; it draws over 40 million visitors annually. It is moder 40 million visitors annually. It is modeled as a utopian (led as a utopian ( 乌托邦式的乌托邦式的 ) city of l) city of leisure (eisure ( 消闲消闲 ). It is represented by pers). It is represented by personalities (onalities ( 人物人物 ) from Disney animation ) from Disney animation (( 动画动画 ) and operated by 26,000 employ) and operated by 26,000 employees.ees.

4.Pocahontas4.Pocahontas

  PocahontasPocahontas is a Disney film. Pocahontas is a pea is a Disney film. Pocahontas is a peaceful Indian princess that is puzzled by the newcoceful Indian princess that is puzzled by the newcomers to her world, the white men. The white men mers to her world, the white men. The white men have come in on large ships and created a colony have come in on large ships and created a colony (( 殖民地殖民地 ), destroying the countryside for gold. A), destroying the countryside for gold. As hatred grows among the two sides, and the weas hatred grows among the two sides, and the weak relationship among the natives (k relationship among the natives ( 土著人土著人 ) and t) and the Europeans is getting worse, Pocahontas becomhe Europeans is getting worse, Pocahontas becomes attracted to John Smith, one of the head white es attracted to John Smith, one of the head white men. As their friendship develops, Pocahontas temen. As their friendship develops, Pocahontas teaches John about the living spirit in all things, the aches John about the living spirit in all things, the wind, the water, the rocks. However, a war is abowind, the water, the rocks. However, a war is about to break out between the rivaling cultures andut to break out between the rivaling cultures and

both Smith and Pocahontas must decide both Smith and Pocahontas must decide what their loyalties (what their loyalties ( 忠诚忠诚 ) are.) are.

5.The Lion King5.The Lion King

    The Lion KingThe Lion King is a Disney film released is a Disney film released (( 发行发行 ) in 1994. It is a story about a young ) in 1994. It is a story about a young lion cub (lion cub ( 幼狮幼狮 ) named Simba, who strugg) named Simba, who struggles to accept the responsibilities of adultholes to accept the responsibilities of adulthood and his destined (od and his destined ( 注定的注定的 ) role as king ) role as king of the jungle (of the jungle ( 丛林丛林 ).).

6.Abraham Lincoln 6.Abraham Lincoln

    Abraham Lincoln (1809—1865) was the 16th Abraham Lincoln (1809—1865) was the 16th President of the United States. Lincoln became President of the United States. Lincoln became the President at a critical period in U.S. history, the President at a critical period in U.S. history, just before the Civil War, and died from an assjust before the Civil War, and died from an assassin's (assin's ( 暗杀者暗杀者 ) bullet at the end of the war. L) bullet at the end of the war. Lincoln was perhaps the most esteemed (incoln was perhaps the most esteemed ( 受尊敬受尊敬的的 ) of the American presidents. He was famou) of the American presidents. He was famous for his eloquent (s for his eloquent ( 雄辩的雄辩的 ) speeches, includin) speeches, including the Gettysburg Address of 1863.g the Gettysburg Address of 1863.

7.The Gettysburg Address 7.The Gettysburg Address

  The Gettysburg Address is a speech delivered on   The Gettysburg Address is a speech delivered on Nov.18, 1863 by Abraham Lincoln at the dedicatiNov.18, 1863 by Abraham Lincoln at the dedication (on ( 落成典礼落成典礼 ) of the national cemetery () of the national cemetery ( 国家公国家公墓墓 ) on the site of the Battle of Gettysburg () on the site of the Battle of Gettysburg ( 葛底葛底斯堡战役斯堡战役 ) in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Lincol) in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Lincoln's speech not only memorialized the dead, but alsn's speech not only memorialized the dead, but also gave the idea of equality. It is the best-known spo gave the idea of equality. It is the best-known speech of Abraham Lincoln.eech of Abraham Lincoln.

Reading MoreReading More

Questions and Answers:Questions and Answers:Direction: Answer the following questions according to tDirection: Answer the following questions according to t

he text.he text.

1.What rare thing did the Walt Disney company do last autumn?

2.People are influenced by Disney in Many ways. Which of the following is Not mentioned in the text?

3.According to Professor Bloom, what will happen if peo3.According to Professor Bloom, what will happen if people continue to be influenced by Disney in such a way?ple continue to be influenced by Disney in such a way?

4.According to the text, what is wrong with Disney films?

Disney’s Advantages and DisadvantagesDisney’s Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages(For)Advantages(For) Disadvantages(Against)Disadvantages(Against)

cheerfulnesscheerfulness Cultural uniformityCultural uniformity

Good-hearted funGood-hearted fun Sexist,racistSexist,racist

a tradition of artistic qa tradition of artistic qualityuality

……the murder …playthe murder …played out as a love stored out as a love storyy

Intensive ReadingIntensive Reading

1. Disney Mirrors American Culture(Title)1. Disney Mirrors American Culture(Title)

2. It admitted defeat in its fight to build a history theme park 2. It admitted defeat in its fight to build a history theme park in Virginia.in Virginia. (para.1) (para.1)

3. 3. The park was going to be called “Disney’s America”. (paThe park was going to be called “Disney’s America”. (para.1)ra.1)

4. Americans rushed out to see Disney films(para.4)4. Americans rushed out to see Disney films(para.4)

5. they make trips to Disneyland and Disney world. (para.4)5. they make trips to Disneyland and Disney world. (para.4)

6. The world of Disney is becoming anything but small. (par6. The world of Disney is becoming anything but small. (para.5)a.5)

7. All this makes some people more than a little upset. (para.7. All this makes some people more than a little upset. (para.6)6)

8. 8. “At the end of this road lies cultural uniformity of the worst kind. Its just terrible.”(para.7)

9. most of whom will be able to perform every word of the 9. most of whom will be able to perform every word of the Lion King long before they even learn US President AbrLion King long before they even learn US President Abraham Lincoln’s historic Gettysburg Address.(para.13)aham Lincoln’s historic Gettysburg Address.(para.13)

10. Critical or not, most of those who oppose the company a10. Critical or not, most of those who oppose the company are Disney customers themselves. (para.14)re Disney customers themselves. (para.14)

mirror: 1. n. 镜，反映 2. v. 反映

Meaning:Meaning: Disney is a mirror of American culture: it accurat Disney is a mirror of American culture: it accurately represents the American culture.ely represents the American culture.

e.g.e.g.

1. Fashion is a mirror of the times.

时尚反映着时代。2. Does art mirror society , or shape it?

究竟艺术是反映了社会，还是塑造了社会？

admit: v.1. 承认，供认 2. 准许…进入

e.g.e.g. John openly admitted that it was his own mistake.约翰公开承认了自己的错误。辨析： acknowledge,admit,concede,confess,recognize 都含有

一定的“承认”之意acknowledge 着重”公开承认” , 常用来指过去曾隐瞒或否认的事admit 是指在压力下不得不承认已经证实或难以否认的事实 , 供认 ( 事实 , 错误等 )concede ( 不情愿地 ) 承认 ,( 在结果确定前 ) 承认失败confess 着重承认自己的过错或罪恶recognize 指正式承认主权、权利等

PracticePractice

1.He _1.He ____ that the statement was true in an argument._ that the statement was true in an argument.A.conceded B.admitted C.confessed D.recognizedA.conceded B.admitted C.confessed D.recognized

2.She ___ having been at fault.2.She ___ having been at fault.A.admitted B.confessed C.acknowledged D.recognizedA.admitted B.confessed C.acknowledged D.recognized

3.The new law was generally admitted ___ difficult to en3.The new law was generally admitted ___ difficult to enforce.force.A.being B.to being C.to be D.to haveA.being B.to being C.to be D.to have

4.Although they had suffered heavy losses,they refused t4.Although they had suffered heavy losses,they refused to ___ defeat.o ___ defeat.A.conced B.conserve C.admit D.assertA.conced B.conserve C.admit D.assert

5.Finally he has to ___ himself guilty.5.Finally he has to ___ himself guilty.A.concede B.confess C.admit D.acknowledgeA.concede B.confess C.admit D.acknowledge

6.Mr.Zhang was___ as the legitimate representative. 6.Mr.Zhang was___ as the legitimate representative. A.acknowledge B.admitted C.conceded D.recognized A.acknowledge B.admitted C.conceded D.recognized

KeyKey

AA

AA

CC

CC

BB

DD

1.He 1.He concededconcededthat the statement was true in an argument.that the statement was true in an argument.他在辩论中承认对方的说法是正确的他在辩论中承认对方的说法是正确的 .(.( 有点不情愿的有点不情愿的承认承认 ))2.She 2.She acknowledgedacknowledged having been at fault. having been at fault. 他承认自己他承认自己曾犯过错误曾犯过错误 ..3.The new law was generally admitted 3.The new law was generally admitted to beto be difficult to e difficult to enforce.nforce. 大家普遍认为大家普遍认为 ,, 新的法律很难实施新的法律很难实施 .(admit.(admit 后后面可跟名词或动名词作宾语面可跟名词或动名词作宾语 ,, 不根不定式作宾语不根不定式作宾语 ,, 但但可接不定式作宾补可接不定式作宾补 .. 此句中此句中 admitadmit 为被动结构为被动结构 ,, 所以所以用用 to be difficult to enforceto be difficult to enforce 作主语补语作主语补语 .).)4.Although they had suffered heavy losses,they refused t4.Although they had suffered heavy losses,they refused to o concedeconcede defeat. defeat. 虽然他们已遭受惨重损失虽然他们已遭受惨重损失 ,, 但还是不但还是不肯认输肯认输 ..5.Finally he has to 5.Finally he has to confessconfess himself guilty. himself guilty. 最终他不得不最终他不得不认罪认罪 .(confess oneself.(confess oneself 认罪认罪 ))6.Mr.Zhang was 6.Mr.Zhang was recognizedrecognized as the legitimate representat as the legitimate representative of the company.ive of the company. 张先生背城认为公司的合法代表张先生背城认为公司的合法代表 . .

rush :v. 急速行进；突然猛冲

e.g.e.g.

1. When the bell rang, the children rushed into the classroom, out of breath.

上课铃响了，孩子们上气不接下气的冲进教室。上课铃响了，孩子们上气不接下气的冲进教室。2.They rushed up the stairs.2.They rushed up the stairs.

他们冲上了楼梯。他们冲上了楼梯。

make a trip/ trips to : 旅行；旅游

e.g.e.g.1. Being a reporter means making frequent business trip

s to different places.

做一名记者意味着要经常到各地出差 .

2.Making a trip to Louvre Museum is the dream of many young artists.

去卢浮宫博物馆参观是许多年轻艺术家的梦想。

anything but: 根本不 ; 一点也不

e.g.e.g.1. The performance is anything but successful.

这次演出一点都不成功。

2. Many people got confused, for what he said was anything but clear.

他讲的一点都不清楚，所以许多人都糊涂了。

more than a little: 非常；极其

Notice Notice “all this” refers to what is mentioned before: Disney i“all this” refers to what is mentioned before: Disney is affecting every aspect of people’s life.s affecting every aspect of people’s life.

e.g.e.g.1. Everyone became more than a little excited when hearing

the good news.

听到这个好消息，每个人都非常激动。

2. In completing the task, we got more than a little help from the friends.

在完成任务的过程中，我们从朋友那得到了很大的帮助。

of the worst kind: 最糟糕的

e.g.e.g.1.Many tourists complain that the service here is one of t

he worst kind.

许多游客抱怨说这里的服务真是糟糕透顶。

2. That earthquake was a natural disaster of the worst kind in U.S history.

那次地震是美国历史上最为严重的自然灾害。

long before: 早在…之前

e.g.e.g.

1. Thousands of the devoted fans had already gathered together in front of the hall long before the performance started .

在演出开始前，数以千计的忠实的歌迷们已经早早地聚集在大厅前。

2. In life,many things have already gone long before we actually realize their values.

人生中有许多事情，当我们真正意识到他们的价值时，它们早已一去不复返了。

Critical or not: 不管是否存心挑剔

Similar expressions:

Believe or not 不管相信与否Like it or not 不管是否喜欢Consciously or not 不管有意识还是无意识e.g.

Believe it or not, computers have actually entered every corner of our life.

不管你是否相信，电脑的确已经地进入到了我们生活的每个角落。

Testing YourselfTesting Yourself

Getting the MessageGetting the Message1.What rare thing did the Walt Disney company do last aut

umn?

A. It planned to build a history theme park

in Virginia.

B. It admitted that their plan to build another park failed.C. It bought a big company.

D. It claimed to be the mirror of American

culture.

2.People are influenced by Disney in many ways. Which of the following is not mentioned in the text ?

A.People eat Disney food.

B.People love to see Disney films. C. People listen to Disney songs on Radio Disney.

C. People listen to Disney songs on Radio Disney.

D. People visit Disneyland and Disney World.

3. According to Professor Bloom, what will happen if people continue to be influenced by Disney in such a way?

A.Children can learn a lot before they go to school.

B.People will have many different forms of

entertainment.

C. People will find themselves in the same culture all over—Disney’s culture.

D. People will become sexist or racist.

4. According to the text, what is wrong with Disney films?

A.Some films are love stories and are not good

for children.

B.Some films are not good in quality.

C. Some films are too cheerful to be true.

D. Some films are not true to the history.

5. What is the main idea of the text?

A. Walt Disney Company is a successful company.

B. Disney is the symbol of American culture, though

some people don’t like it.C. Disney is not good because it gives false accounts in its

films.

D. Disney is good because it brings people fun.