The Eras of Western History

Lesson from the Shenzhen Daily:
http://szdaily.sznews.com/html/2009-03/05/content_536810.htm

Practice the conversation; study the vocabulary; then discuss the questions with a friend in English.

Questions:
1. What do you know about any of the periods described here?
2. Which period do you think is most interesting? Why?
3. If you could live in any period besides this one, which would you choose? Why?

Virtues 2--The Seven Deadly Sins

Lesson from the Shenzhen Daily:
http://szdaily.sznews.com/html/2009-03/03/content_534123.htm

Practice the conversation; study the vocabulary; then discuss the questions with a friend in English.

Questions:
1. Do you see a way in which the "Christian virtues"-- Faith, Hope, and Charity--might be important even for non-Christians?
2. Which of the Seven Deadly Sins is the most serious: Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy, or Pride? Why?
3. Which of the "seven heavenly virtues" is most important: Chastity, Temperance, Charity, Diligence, Patience, Kindness, or Humility? Why?

Virtues 1--Greco-Roman Ideas

Lesson from the Shenzhen Daily:
http://szdaily.sznews.com/html/2009-03/02/content_533066.htm

Practice the conversation; study the vocabulary; then discuss the questions with a friend in English.

Questions:
1. Which do you think is most important: The Good, The True, or The Beautiful? Why?
2. Which of Plato's five virtues-- Temperance, Prudence, Fortitude, Justice, or Piety--do you think is most important? Why?
3. How about the seven Christian virtues: Temperance, Prudence, Fortitude, Justice, Faith, Hope, or Charity? Which is most important? Why?

The Olympians III

Lesson from the Shenzhen Daily:
http://szdaily.sznews.com/html/2009-02/16/content_515407.htm

Practice the conversation; study the vocabulary; then discuss the questions with a friend in English.

Questions:
1. "The sun and the moon are certainly the most notable things in the sky." Are there interesting stories about them in your culture?
2. There are three different words for "earth" in this lesson. Talk about where they came from. What does this tell you about English?
3. Describe the days of the week and how they got their English names.

The Olympians II

Lesson from the Shenzhen Daily:
http://szdaily.sznews.com/html/2009-02/12/content_511042.htm

Practice the conversation; study the vocabulary; then discuss the questions with a friend in English.

Questions:
1. Name these five of the second generation of Olympians, and say what they're famous for.
2. Look for the common English words from these names (martial, mercurial, volcano, etc.) and use them in sentences.
3. Summarize the names of planets learned in this lesson and the previous one, and tell which god each is named after. (You'll see the full list in the next lesson.)

The Olympians I

Lesson from the Shenzhen Daily:
http://szdaily.sznews.com/html/2009-02/10/content_509151.htm

Practice the conversation; study the vocabulary; then discuss the questions with a friend in English.

Questions:
1. What is the connection between "Olympos" (or "Olympus"), "Olympia," and "the Olympics"?
2. Who are the king and queen of the Olympians? Who were their parents?
3. Name the rest of the first generation of Olympians, and say what they're famous for.

Two Titanic Battles

Lesson from the Shenzhen Daily:
http://szdaily.sznews.com/html/2009-02/09/content_507834.htm

Practice the conversation; study the vocabulary; then discuss the questions with a friend in English.

Questions:
1. Why did humans invent stories of one generation of gods rebelling against and overthrowing another?
2. Why do you think Kronos hated his father Ouranos? (Remember, no reason is given; just make a good guess and explain it.)
3. This stories are quite bloody, filled with bad behavior. Why do you think that is?

The Titans II

Lesson from the Shenzhen Daily:
http://szdaily.sznews.com/html/2009-02/05/content_504911.htm

Practice the conversation; study the vocabulary; then discuss the questions with a friend in English.

Questions:
1. What does it mean to say the sun, the moon, and the dawn were the children of the god of light (Hyperion) and sight (Theia)?
2. Many of the Titans are responsible for different aspects of time. Why do you think this is so important to humans?
3. Why do you think there are twelve Titans? That is, what is so important about the number twelve?

The Titans I

Lesson from the Shenzhen Daily:
http://szdaily.sznews.com/html/2009-02/03/content_503144.htm

Practice the conversation; study the vocabulary; then discuss the questions with a friend in English.

Questions:
1. How could a human write about "the origin of the gods"?
2. Look at the names Ouranos, Gaia, and Okeanos. What do they mean? How important are these things as natural phenomena?
3. Why would the Titan in charge of fresh-water springs be called "grandmother" or "nurse"? How important is she?

Fates, Furies, and Harpies

Lesson from the Shenzhen Daily:
http://szdaily.sznews.com/html/2009-02/02/content_502296.htm

Practice the conversation; study the vocabulary; then discuss the questions with a friend in English.

Questions:
1. Look at the meaning of the names of the three fates, and each one's role. Explain how they match.
2. Why would the Romans call the Furies a name that would make them happy? Look up the word "euphemism" and see how it applies.
3. Look at the explanation by Fulgentius. Does it make sense to you? Why or why not?

The Muses II

Lesson from the Shenzhen Daily:
http://szdaily.sznews.com/html/2009-01/22/content_497660.htm

Practice the conversation; study the vocabulary; then discuss the questions with a friend in English.

Questions:
1. Why do you think the "Muse of Epic Poetry" is considered the "Chief of the Muses"?
2. Look at some of the word roots here (calli-, ero-, poly-). Can you think of other words that use these roots? Try using them in sentences.
3. Did you ever think of history and astronomy as "arts" in the same way as poetry, music, and dance? What do you think of this?

The Muses I

Lesson from the Shenzhen Daily:
http://szdaily.sznews.com/html/2009-01/20/content_495723.htm

Practice the conversation; study the vocabulary; then discuss the questions with a friend in English.

Questions:
1. What do you often "muse upon"?
2. What's your favorite museum? How is it connected to "the Muses"?
3. Do you like poetry? If so, what's your favorite kind? If not, why not?

Homer IV

Lesson from the Shenzhen Daily:
http://szdaily.sznews.com/html/2009-01/19/content_494640.htm

Practice the conversation; study the vocabulary; then discuss the questions with a friend in English.

Questions:
1. What "siren song" calls to you? Money? Fame? Something else?
2. Have you ever had to pass "between Scylla and Charybdis"? Tell the story.
3. Three goddesses tried to bribe Paris with wealth, wisdom, love. Which one would you take? Or would you refuse them all?

Homer III

Lesson from the Shenzhen Daily:
http://szdaily.sznews.com/html/2009-01/15/content_489841.htm

Practice the conversation; study the vocabulary; then discuss the questions with a friend in English.

Questions:
1. Use the word "odyssey" in its common meaning. Have you ever been on an odyssey? If so, talk about it. If not, would you like to?
2. What are some other modern English words that come from "The Odyssey"? Use them in sentences.
3. Does your language use allusions? Give some examples and explain them in English.

Homer II

Lesson from the Shenzhen Daily:
http://szdaily.sznews.com/html/2009-01/13/content_486651.htm

Practice the conversation; study the vocabulary; then discuss the questions with a friend in English.

Questions:
1. What is "The Iliad" about? What led to this?
2. Talk about Achilles. Why is he "complex"?
3. Discuss some ways that "The Iliad" contributed to the modern English language.

Homer I

Lesson from the Shenzhen Daily:
http://szdaily.sznews.com/html/2009-01/12/content_485363.htm

Practice the conversation; study the vocabulary; then discuss the questions with a friend in English.

Questions:
1. This lesson goes back to the beginning of my "great books" columns in 2009. What are the so-called "Great Books"? Are you interested in reading them?
2. Are you familiar with "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" by Homer? If so, what do you know about them?
3. Can you think of any books or movies that are "Homeric"?

Poe, Hawthorne, Melville

Lesson from the Shenzhen Daily:
http://szdaily.sznews.com/html/2012-12/31/content_2335295.htm

Practice the conversation; study the vocabulary; then discuss the questions with a friend in English.

Questions:
1. Do you know anything about Poe, Hawthorne, or Melville? Have you read any of their works?
2. Do you like detective stories? Why or why not?
3. Do you like "creepy" stories? Why or why not?

British Women Novelists

Lesson from the Shenzhen Daily:
http://szdaily.sznews.com/html/2012-12/27/content_2331011.htm

Practice the conversation; study the vocabulary; then discuss the questions with a friend in English.

Questions:
1. Do you like "chick lit" (women's literature)? Why or why not?
2. What are some modern examples of "chick lit"? What do you think of them?
3. Why did some women authors publish anonymously, and others use men's names?

Four Poets in English

Lesson from the Shenzhen Daily:
http://szdaily.sznews.com/html/2012-12/25/content_2327926.htm

Practice the conversation; study the vocabulary; then discuss the questions with a friend in English.

Questions:
1. Do you know anything about Blake, Wordsworth, Coleridge, or Yeats? Have you read any of their works?
2. Blake's and Yeats's poetry is often about mystical things. Why is this a good subject for poetry?
3. All of these poets can be considered "Romantic." What does that mean? (It's NOT about love between a man and a woman!)

Goethe, Mann, Kafka

Lesson from the Shenzhen Daily:
http://szdaily.sznews.com/html/2012-12/24/content_2326493.htm

Practice the conversation; study the vocabulary; then discuss the questions with a friend in English.

Questions:
1. Do you know anything about Goethe, Mann, or Kafka? Have you read any of their works?
2. Goethe's Faust made a "deal with the devil." Have you ever heard of this idea? What do you think it means?
3. Kafka's character Gregor Samsa becomes a "giant cockroach." What do you think this symbolizes?

British Novelists

Lesson from the Shenzhen Daily:
http://szdaily.sznews.com/html/2012-12/20/content_2322528.htm

Practice the conversation; study the vocabulary; then discuss the questions with a friend in English.

Questions:
1. Have you heard of any of the novels or authors mentioned? Have you read any of them? What do you know about them?
2. Are you familiar with the singer Tom Jones? How does Sunny say he got his name? What do you think of this?
3. "Vanity Fair" is called "A Novel without a Hero." What does that mean?

British Political Philosophers

Lesson from the Shenzhen Daily:
http://szdaily.sznews.com/html/2012-12/18/content_2319025.htm

Practice the conversation; study the vocabulary; then discuss the questions with a friend in English.

Questions:
1. What do you think would be included in the "social contract"?
2. What is "epistemology"? Have you ever thought about "how we know what we know"?
3. Are you an "empiricist"? Why or why not?

Allegory and Satire

Lesson from the Shenzhen Daily:
http://szdaily.sznews.com/html/2012-12/17/content_2317784.htm

Practice the conversation; study the vocabulary; then discuss the questions with a friend in English.

Questions:
1. Aside from the works mentioned here, are you familiar with any other allegories or satires?
2. How do allegory and satire "teach people about themselves and society"?
3. Becky says great literature "can be read from many points of view." Can you give an example from the literature of your culture?

Great French Writers

Lesson from the Shenzhen Daily:
http://szdaily.sznews.com/html/2012-12/13/content_2313552.htm

Practice the conversation; study the vocabulary; then discuss the questions with a friend in English.

Questions:
1. Do you know anything about Descartes, Pascal, Molière, or Voltaire? If "yes," talk about them; if "no," look them up.
2. Does the expression "I think therefore I am" mean anything to you? Talk about it.
3. Two of these writers used pseudonyms. Do you know of other famous writers who also took "pen names"?

John Milton

Lesson from the Shenzhen Daily:
http://szdaily.sznews.com/html/2012-12/11/content_2309932.htm

Practice the conversation; study the vocabulary; then discuss the questions with a friend in English.

Questions:
1. Do you know anything about "Paradise Lost" or its characters--God and Satan, Adam, and Eve?
2. Milton knew a lot of languages: Latin, Italian, Greek, Hebrew, French, Spanish, Dutch, and Old English, in addition to English. How do you think this helped make him "a brilliant ... master of English letters"?
3. Becky says, "Education ain't what it used to be." Do you think it was better in the old days, or now? Why do you think so?

John Donne

Lesson from the Shenzhen Daily:
http://szdaily.sznews.com/html/2012-12/10/content_2308582.htm

Practice the conversation; study the vocabulary; then discuss the questions with a friend in English.

Questions:
1. Do you agree that "No man is an island"?
2. Donne's "Meditation XVII," like a lot of literature, is about death. Why do you think this is such a popular topic for writers?
3. Are you surprised to learn that a minister wrote poems about love and sex? Why or why not?

Great Essays

Lesson from the Shenzhen Daily:
http://szdaily.sznews.com/html/2012-12/06/content_2304467.htm

Practice the conversation; study the vocabulary; then discuss the questions with a friend in English.

Questions:
1. Do you enjoy reading--or writing--essays? Why, or why not?
2. Are you familiar with Montaigne or Bacon? If "yes," talk about them; if "no," look them up.
3. Why do you think the great essayists mentioned kept the titles of their works so simple?

Classic Chinese Novels II

Lesson from the Shenzhen Daily:
http://szdaily.sznews.com/html/2012-12/04/content_2301932.htm

Practice the conversation; study the vocabulary; then discuss the questions with a friend in English.

Questions:
1. Do you know anything about Xuanzang, the monk who really went to India? Find out about him, if you can.
2. "Journey to the West" is a fictional book based on an historical event. Can you think of other examples of this sort of book (or film)?
3. Ming mentions that "The Dream of the Red Chamber," along with other books, is extremely complicated. Why do you think readers in another time enjoyed that sort of story?

Classic Chinese Novels I

Lesson from the Shenzhen Daily:
http://szdaily.sznews.com/html/2012-12/03/content_2299793.htm

Practice the conversation; study the vocabulary; then discuss the questions with a friend in English.

Questions:
1. Are there other works in your culture that have inspired art, music, films, and TV shows, as these great works have in China?
2. The heroes in "The Water Margin" are good guys--but outlaws. Mark mentions "Robin Hood" as being similar. Can you think of other stories in your culture where "bad guys" are "good guys"?
3. In "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms," the three friends swear to support each other in a peach grove. What is the importance of loyalty in your culture?

Don Quixote

Lesson from the Shenzhen Daily:
http://szdaily.sznews.com/html/2012-11/29/content_2295406.htm

Practice the conversation; study the vocabulary; then discuss the questions with a friend in English.

Questions:
1. Have you read Don Quixote, or anything about him? Or have you seen a movie about him? Talk about the character.
2. Do you think a man like him is noble? Or just crazy?
3. What's a "foil"? Can you think of any stories that use a foil to show more about the main character? Talk about one.

Machiavelli

Lesson from the Shenzhen Daily:
http://szdaily.sznews.com/html/2012-11/27/content_2293178.htm

Practice the conversation; study the vocabulary; then discuss the questions with a friend in English.

Questions:
1. What do you think of the quotes from Machiavelli in this lesson? Talk about each one.
2. Why do you think some people in history admired Machiavelli?
3. Do you think it's possible that "Machiavelli was writing satire"? Or do you think he meant everything he wrote? Why do you think so?