Janet Mendell Goldstein. understanding of the title Expressions of quick fix society Structure & theme of the text General analysis.

Quick Fix Society

Janet Mendell Goldstein

General understanding

understanding of the title

Expressions of quick fix society

Structure & theme of the text

General analysis

What Is “Quick Fix Society”?What Is “Quick Fix Society”?

What is the meaning of “fix”?How do you understand “quick fix”?How is “quick fix society” reflected? In what aspects?

Part 1 (Paras. 1— ):

Part 2 (Paras. ):

Part 3 (Paras. ):

I. Text AnalysisI. Text Analysis

Structure

3

4—6

7—8

Her ride on fast roads and her return trip of a country road

Now instead of later

Faster instead of slower

Superficially instead of thoroughly

Slow down and rediscover life


“ Fix” means solution. “Quick fix” in this essay means having quick solution. “quick fix” refers to the lifestyle of modern people who are impatient to get everything done and want to find the quick solution to everything.

What is the meaning of “fix”?

How do you understand “quick fix”?

How is “quick fix society” reflected? In what aspects?

transportation

eating habits and consumption habits

entertainment

reading habits, learning habits

working style


Let’s slow down

and enjoy what

nature offers us

and what mankind

has left us and

rediscover life.

ThemeThe theme is summed up at the very

end.

II. Writing DevicesII. Writing DevicesThree writing devices used in

the text

Part 1 & Part 2 (Para4, 6):

Para 3,5, 6, 7:

Para 4 & Para 5:

Contrast

Rhetorical questions

Repetition

II. Writing DevicesII. Writing DevicesContrast

A contrast paragraph or essay discusses the differences between (at least) two things.

This essay mainly discusses the differences between the lifestyle of modern American people and that of American people in the past.

In the first two paragraphs, the writer contrasts her featureless ride driving on fast roads and the pleasure of the return trip of a different route.

Examples

II. Writing DevicesII. Writing Devices

Contrast Find out the words that show the contrast in the first two paragraphs.Fast lane trip

The herd of cows is reduced to a few dots…

Return trip

… the herds of cows—no longer little dots this time

—lying in it.

Pastoral scenery slid by us at 55mph.

We drove slowly through main streets…, slowing to

twenty miles an hour…

… getting there wasn’t any fun at all.

… getting there had been the fun.

More examples


Find out the words that show the contrast in

Para. 4.Once upon a time

put a little of each paycheck away “for a

rainy day”

Now

take out loans

relax now, pay later

Deferred satisfaction We aren’t so patient.

If we wanted to become thinner, we simply ate less. try the latest miracle diet

Contrast in Para. 4


Find out the words that show the contrast in

Para. 6.In the past

listened to every note of Beethoven’s Fifth

Symphony

Now

enjoy 26 seconds of that famous theme

linger over every word of a classic novel

read the condensed version

listen to the tape

devote large parts of our days to our loved ones

replace them with “quality time”

Contrast in Para. 6


Rhetorical Questions

Why is it that the featureless turnpikes and interstates are the routes of choice for so many of us? Why doesn't everybody try slowing down and exploring the countryside? (Para. 3)

A rhetorical question implies that the answer is obvious—the kind of question that does not need actually to be answered. It is used for rhetorically persuading someone of a truth without argument, or to give emphasis to a supposed truth by stating its opposite.

More examples



More examples

How dare anyone keep America waiting longer than overnight? (Para. 5)

Why waste 45 minutes listening to the whole thing when someone else has saved us the trouble of picking out the best parts? (Para. 6)

Why are we in such a hurry to save time? (Para. 7)



If winter comes, can spring be far behind?

—Percy Bysshe Shelley, Ode to the West Wind

Didn’t I tell you he would forget?

What difference does it make?

Writing DevicesWriting Devices

Repetition is a major rhetorical strategy for

producing emphasis, clarity, amplification, or

emotional effect.

Repetition

More examples


Repetition

If we wanted a new sofa or a week at a lakeside cabin, we saved up for it, …

If we lived in the right part of the country, we planted corn…

If we wanted to be thinner, we simply ate less of our favorite foods and waited patiently for the scale to drop, a pound at a time. (Para. 4)

repetition of sentence structure


Then we take our fast money to a fast convenience store, … And if our fast meal doesn't agree with us, we hurry to the medicine cabinet for—you guessed it—some fast relief. (Para. 5)

Repetition

repetition of words

Detailed analysis for Part 1

Why did the writer take the turnpikes and interstates? Did they have any fun on the way?Why did the writer take another way back? How did she feel this time?

Fast Roads in the Fast Roads in the U.S.U.S.

• Highway: a broad main road joining one town to another• Superhighway: a road with six or more lanes• Interstate highway: roads connecting cities in different

states• Freeway: a very wide road within a city for fast travel• Expressways: a fast road in or near cities• Turnpike: a large road for fast traffic, esp one that drivers

have to pay to use

Sentence Paraphrase Sentence Paraphrase 1 1

For four hours, our only real amusement

consisted of counting exit signs and wondering

what it would feel like to hold still again. (Para.

1)

The 4-hour drive on fast roads was tedious; the only fun we had was to count the exit signs we were passing and to figure out how we’d feel if we stopped again.

Sentence Sentence Paraphrase 2Paraphrase 2

Getting there certainly didn’t seem like half the fun; in fact, getting there wasn’t any fun at all. (Para. 1)

We had expected that our ride to West Virginia would be fun. But we were wrong. It wasn’t fun at all.

gerund as subject

More examples

Sentence Sentence ParaphraseParaphrase

1. It’s so nice sitting here with you.

2. Traveling abroad can be very exciting.


We toured a Civil War battlefield and stood on the little hill that fifteen thousand Confederate soldiers had tried to take on another hot July afternoon, one hundred and twenty-five years ago, not knowing that half of them would get killed in the vain attempt. (Para. 2)

We visited a Civil War battlefield and stood on the little hill. One hundred and twenty-five years ago, on a hot July afternoon, 15,000 soldiers fighting for slavery, while trying to occupy the hill, had no idea that they would fail and that half of them would be killed in the battle.

present participle as adverbial

attributive clause modifying “hill”

Word StudyWord Study2. antique

Examples:

It is an antique rosewood desk.

The palace is full of priceless antiques.

adj. being old and therefore valuable

n. an old object such as a piece of furniture

or jewellery that is valuable because it is

rare, beautiful, or well madeAn antique US mailbox

Furniture antiques from the Chinese Liao dynasty

Pennsylvania Dutch Pennsylvania Dutch TownTown

Antique shopping (Para. 2)

Pennsylvania Dutch town is called

“Sunday Antiques Capital of the United

States”. Over 3,000 antique dealers

gather here to display and sell their

merchandise.


Here, you’ll find over 240 factory outlet

stores featuring name brands and

quality merchandise prices at reduced

prices.

Outlet shopping (Para. 2)

Word StudyWord Study8. outlet

n. a. a shop or a place where a particular product is sold

b. a way of expressing strong feelings

that you would normally not express

Examples:

Most of their sales are through traditional

retail outlets.

He plays basketball as an outlet for

stress.

13. stuff with

Phrases and Phrases and ExpressionsExpressions

a. to fill sb. with food until one is not hungry

b. to fill a container or space with sth.,

especially sth. soft

Examples:

They stuff the children with food.

The bed was stuffed with cotton so it was very soft.


We stuffed ourselves with spicy salads and homemade bread in an “all-you-can-eat” farmhouse restaurant, then wandered outside to enjoy the sunshine and the herds of cows—no little dots this time—lying in it. (Para. 2)

to fill with sth. to eat as much as you can

We had a meal in a farmhouse restaurant where for a certain amount of money you could eat as much as you wanted, and we fed ourselves with lots of spicy salads and homemade bread. After the meal, we walked leisurely outdoors to enjoy the sunshine and watch the herds of cows—this time they did not seem like little dots—lying in the sunshine.

Word StudyWord Study9. refresh

refresh one’s memoryto make someone remember somethingrefresh someone’s drinkto add more of an alcoholic drink to someone’s glass

Examples:A shower will refresh you.I looked at the map to refresh my memory of the route.Can I refresh your drink?

adj. refreshedadj. refreshingn. refreshment

Word formation

v. to make someone feel less tired or less hot

Examples: The breeze was refreshing the stuffy classroomIt made a refreshing change to talk to someone new.Refreshments: small amount of food and drink provided at a meeting, sports event etc. 茶点，点心和饮料

Word StudyWord Study10. revitalize

v. to put new strength or power into sth.

Example:

They hope to revitalize the

neighborhood by providing better

housing.

Adj. vitalv. Vitalizen. vitality

n. vitalization

Word formation

Word-formation:

Vital: full of energy in a way that is exciting and attractive

(a strong and vital man)

Vitalize:

revitalize


And we returned home refreshed, revitalized, and reeducated. (Para. 2)

When we got home, we not only felt fresh and energetic, but also felt that we had experienced a new way of life.

past participles used as subject complement

More examples


In fact, most Americans are constantly in a hurry—and not just to get from Point A to Point B. Our country has become a nation in search of the quick fix—in more ways than one. (Para. 3)

quick solution

In fact, most Americans are always in a rush. People are not only trying to find the fast way to get around from place to place, but also looking for ways of getting things done quickly in various aspects of life.

to try to find


What is the attitude of modern people towards their life?


Once upon a time, Americans understood the

principle of deferred gratification. We put a little

of each paycheck away “for a rainy day”. (Para.

4)

for a future time when money may be needed

In the past, Americans were patient to have their desires satisfied. We saved a little money each time we got paid in case we might need it in the future.

satisfaction

Word StudyWord Study

Examples:

Let’s defer the decision for a few weeks.

I will defer to Mr. Walter on this point.

5. defer

Cf. postponedelay

v. to delay something until a later date

(formal) to agree to accept someone’s

opinion or decision because you have

respect for that person

defer to sb./sth.

9. put away


Chinese

存钱；收拾；抛弃；吃掉

Examples:

My grandfather had put away over

$100,000.

Put away all your books on the desk.

The guest might come any time.

Please put all negative thoughts away.

The boy put away the dinner in just a

few minutes.


If we wanted a new sofa or a week at a lakeside cabin, we saved up for it, and the banks helped us out by providing special Christmas Club and Vacation Club accounts. (Para. 4)

If we wanted to buy some new furniture or spend a week at a lakeside, we could open special accounts at the banks to save money for it.

a savings account, as in a bank, requiring periodic deposits to ensure money for

shopping at Christmas圣诞储蓄

度假储蓄

5. help out

救助，协助（渡过难关）


Chineseto help somebody in a difficult situation

Examples:

Who is helping out in the garden this afternoon?

I’ve often helped Bob out when he has been a bit short of money.


large scale

evolutionary scale

the bathroom scales

the scale on a thermometer

Richter scale

a scale of 1∶250

scales of fish

11. scale

大规模进化等级浴室磅秤温度计上的刻度里氏震级1∶250 的比例尺鱼鳞

Translation

8. off the rack


off-the-rack (AmE)/ off-the-peg (BrE)ready made

It was only a cheap suit, bought off the rack/off the peg.

Rack: a frame or shelf, usu. With bars or hooks, for holding things on (plate rack, luggage rack, roof-rack, wine rack)

Word StudyWord Study7. guarantee

v. a. to promise sth. will happen

b. to make sth. certain

n. a. an agreement that if sth. you buy does

not work, it will be repaired or replaced( 保修 / 包换单 )

b. a formal and firm promise that sth. will

be done or will happen

Examples

Be guaranteed to do sth: to be certain to behave, work, or happen in a particular way

If you yell at him, he’s guaranteed to do the opposite of what you want.


Examples:

The government guaranteed to free the

captives.

The rain guarantees a good crop this year.

The new television had a guarantee with it.

Is there a guarantee of work after training?

Collocation in the text

Be guaranteed to do sth: to be certain to behave, work, or happen in a particular way

If you yell at him, he’s guaranteed to do the opposite of what you want.


And if we are in a hurry to lose weight, we try the latest miracle diet, guaranteed to take away ten pounds in ten days… unless we’re rich enough to afford liposuction. (Para. 4)

If we want to lose weight quickly, we try the most recent miracle diet which is said to be effective and is sure to make us lose pounds in ten days. If we are rich enough to pay for the operation, we can have our unneeded fat removed from our bodies.

past participle used as attributive modifying “miracle diet”

More examples

Sentence Sentence ParaphraseParaphrase

1. The meeting, attended by over five thousand people, welcomed the Chinese delegation.

2. Some of them, born and brought up in rural villages, had never seen a train.

Examples:

Stop taking the medicine if it doesn’t agree with you.

I find that country life really agrees with me.

1. agree with sb.


If something agrees with you, it doesn’t make you feel ill.


We like our information fast, too: messages flashed on a computer screen, documents faxed from your telephone to mine, current events in 90-second bursts on Eyewitness News, history reduced to “Bicentennial Minutes”. (Para. 5)

For information, we also want to get it fast by skimming through what is offered on the web. Documents are faxed to one person from another. We are informed of what is happening at home and abroad through TV programs through which we get very brief accounts of current events. We learn the history of the past 200 years quickly from “Bicentennial Minutes”.

Bicentennial Minutes

the name of a series of short educational American television segments commemorating the bicentennial of the American Revolution. The segments were produced by the CBS Television Network and broadcast nightly from July 4, 1974, until December 31, 1976

centennial (AmE)/centenary (BrE):

adj. 一百周年纪念的n. 一百周年纪念

centenarybicentenarytercentenaryquatercentenaryquincentenary

一百周年纪念二百周年纪念三百周年纪念四百周年纪念五百周年纪念

bicentennial (para. 5)bicentennial (para. 5)

prefix

root

Word BuildingWord Building

Cliff’s Notes Cliff’s Notes

• Cliff’s notes are a series of reference books written to help undergraduate students to understand and appreciate important literary works.

• With such notes, students don’t have to

read the work itself and be able to write

papers and take exams.

BeethovenBeethoven

Lugwig Van Beethoven is one of the greatest composers in the world.

His famous symphonies include:

No. 5 (Fate)

No. 6 (Pastoral)

No. 9 (Choral)

11. save sb. the trouble of doing sth.


to make somebody able to avoid extra effort or work

Example:

Fast-food restaurants are popular because they save people the trouble of cooking.

12. save up


to keep or store something so that you can use it in the future

Examples:

They are saving up for a new car.

She spent all the money I have saved up for our trip.

pre-: a. before someone or sth.

b. in preparation

precedent

preface

premature

precaution

preconception

precondition

preview

先例，前例前言早熟的预防措施预想前提，先决条件（电影等）预演，预映

pre-digest (para. 6)pre-digest (para. 6)

prefix

root

Word BuildingWord Building


Even our personal relationships have become

compressed. Instead of devoting large parts of

our days to our loved ones, we replace them with

something called “quality time”, which, more

often than not, is no time at all. (Para. 6)

Even our personal relationships are affected. Instead of spending much of our time with our loved ones, we now talk about giving them full attention in the limited time after work. But usually we have no time to do that at all.

the time you spend with somebody when you can give them full attention

Word StudyWord Study3. compress

v. a. to press or squeeze something so that it fits into a smaller space 压紧，压缩 b. to write something in fewer words 使（语言）变简练 c. to make a process last for a shorter time than usual 压缩（做事情的）时间

Examples:The machine compresses old cars into blocks of scrap metal.Try to compress your notes so that they are easier to learn.You’d better compress two months’ work into one.

Cf. condense contract

Word StudyWord Study 4. condense

v. a. to cause (a gas or vapor) to change to a liquid 使凝结，使冷凝 b. to remove water from (milk, for example) 使（液体）浓缩 c. to make a piece of writing shorter by not giving details or

using fewer expressions to give the same information 使（讲话或文章）压缩

Examples:

Steam condensed on the bathroom mirror.

condensed milk ( 炼乳 )

condensed story ( 缩写本 )

Cf. compresscontract

compress, condense, contract


Fill in the blanks with

the right word.contracts

compress

condensed

The pupil of the eye dilates and _________ in

response to light.

She sat on the lid of the suitcase to ________

the clothes.

The chairman __________ all the suggestions

put forward into a single plan of action.

Contract ： to become smaller or narrower


As we rush from book to music to news item to relationship, we do not realize that we are living our lives by the iceberg principle—paying attention only to the top and ignoring the 8/9 that lies just below the surface. (Para. 6)

When we rush through books, music, news and relationship, we are paying attention to the surface and will never get into the heart of anything.

Icebergs float with only about 10% of their bulk above the surface of the water, therefore the much

larger part is out of sight.


Why did the author write this article? Was she suggesting we stop using all time-saving techniques and products?

把 ······ 做完了事


4. get sth. over with

Chineseto do and finish something difficult that you have to do

Examples:

I’ll speak first if you like—I’d rather get it over with quickly.

He looked upon the marriage ceremony as a mere formality—something to be got over with as quickly as possible.


When did it all begin, this urge to do it now, to get it over with, to skim the surface of life? (Para. 7)

When did this quick-fix lifestyle/attitude toward life begin?

to deal with something superficially, not going deeper

Word StudyWord Study1. advocate

v. to publicly support an idea or a plan

n. someone who strongly and publicly

supports someone or something

Examples:

He advocates building more schools.

There is no point advocating high salaries for teachers unless we can do it.

He is a tireless advocate of political reform.


But I am saying that all of us need to think more seriously about putting the brakes on our “we-want-it-all-and-we-want-it-nor” lifestyle before we speed completely out of control. (Para. 8)

But what I do want to say is this: before we go too far, all of us need to think seriously about changing our lifestyle of seeking a quick fix in our lives.

to slow down or stop doing something

10. put brakes on


Chinese

使停顿

put a brake on/ put the brakes on sth.

to stop sth. that is happening

Examples:

The high level of debt continued to put a brake on economic recovery.

The town government put the brakes on all these projects by giving them less money.


Location

The heart of the Pennsylvania Dutch Country is Lancaster County. It is located in south central Pennsylvania, one and half hours west of Philadelphia. Most of the Amish Country attractions are in Lancaster County, and almost all of the local Amish people live here as well.


People Amish The Amish are a religious group who live in settlements in 22 states of the U.S. and Ontario, Canada. The oldest group of Old Order Amish, about 16,000—18,000 people live in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The Amish stress humility, family and community, and separation from the world.


Amish’s beliefs

The Amish was part of the early Anabaptist movement in Europe, which took place at the time of the Reformation. The Anabaptists believed that only adults who had confessed their faith should be baptized, and that they should remain separate from the larger society. They also believe in non-resistance and basic Bible doctrines.


Amish’s lifestyle

• These people as a whole are not as materialistic as modern society today. They do not use electricity or modern conveniences.

• Amish men have beards, but not mustaches.

• Most Amish are trilingual: dialect of German, High German and English.


Amish’s lifestyle

• Old Order children attend one-room schools through the eighth grade.• They are a private people who believe God has kept them together. They are a strong example of a community that supports and cares for its members. They are a people apart; they are also a people together.

Janet Mendell Goldstein. understanding of the title Expressions of quick fix society Structure & theme of the text General analysis.

Documents

quick solution

meaning of fix

fast roads

return trip

lifestyle of modern

featureless ride

text analysis34678her

devicesa contrast paragraph