2024年4月21日发(作者：)

Section Four: Text Appreciation

This essay is definitely categorized as a piece of literature in the full and

deep sense, for with its unique beauty and charm it succeeds in cultivating and

fostering special feelings and attitudes towards Oxford among the readers.

There are three elements making the writing highly literary. The first is the

author’s effort to create a general impression of Oxford upon the readers,

rather than present accurate detailed facts. The second element is the

romantic atmosphere the author creates. The third is uplifting inspiration as

advocated by neo-classicists. On Page 59 of the textbook, several examples of

these elements have been given. Can you give another three examples in the

text that illustrate the three elements?

1) An example of creating a general impression of Oxford upon the readers

rather than presenting accurate detailed facts to them can be found in Paragraph 3:

“I remember myself, as a child, visiting Oxford, and thinking that some of the

buildings were almost shamefully ruinous of aspect; now that I am wiser I know

that we have in these battered and fretted palace-fronts a kind of beauty that fills

the mind with an almost despairing sense of loveliness, till the heart aches with

gratitude, and thrills with the desire to proclaim the glory of the sight aloud.”

2) An example of the romantic atmosphere the author creates can be found in

Paragraph 4:

“…that give a glimpse and a hint—no more—of a fairy-land of

shelter and fountains within.”

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3) An example of uplifting inspiration can be found in Paragraph 7:

“…the

ideals that may not make for immediate national greatness, but which, if delicately

and faithfully nurtured, hold out at least a hope of affecting the intellectual and

spiritual life of the world.”

Section Five: Consolidation Activities

Language Work

I. Explain the italicized part in each sentence in your own words.

1.  stimulated or excited by

used to the greatest advantage

2. decayed in appearance

is filled with

is excited by

3. reflecting; showing

4. sense; suggestion

reveal clearly; manifest

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