试卷代号：1062 中央广播电视大学2010一2011学年度第一学期“开放本科”期末考试 文学阅读与欣赏 试题 2011年1月 注意事项 一、将你的学号、姓名及分校（工作站）名称填写在答题纸的规定栏 内。考试结束后，把试卷和答题纸放在桌上。试卷和答题纸均不得带 出考场。监考人收完考卷和答题纸后才可离开考场。 二、仔细读懂题目的说明，并按题目要求答题。答案一定要写在答 题纸的指定位置上，写在试卷上的答案无效。 三、用蓝、黑圆珠笔或钢笔答题，使用铅笔答题无效。 Information for the examinees: This examination consists of 3 parts.They are: Part I:Literary Fundamentals (30 points) Part II:Reading Comprehension (50 points) PartⅢ：Writing(20 points.) ● The total marks for this examination are 100 points.Time allowed for completing this examination is 90 minutes. There will be no extra time to transfer answers to the Answer Sheet;therefore,you should write ALL your answers on the Answer Sheet as you do each task. 447
试卷代号: 1062 中央广播电视大学 2011 年度第 一 放本 文学阅读与欣赏试题 2011 年1 注意事项 一、将你的学号、姓名及分校(工作站)名称填写在答题纸的规定栏 内。考试结束后，把试卷和答题纸放在桌上。试卷和答题纸均不得带 出考场 o监考人收完考卷和答题纸后才可离开考场。 二、仔细读懂题目的说明，并按题目要求答题。答案一定要写在答 题纸的指定位置上，写在试卷上的答案无效。 三、用蓝、黑圆珠笔或钢笔答题，使用铅笔答题无效。 Information for the examinees: •. This examination consists of 3 parts. They are; Part I : Literary Fundamentals (30 points) Part II : Reading Comprehension (50 points) Part ill: Writing (20 points) • The total marks for this examination are 100 points. Time allowed for completing this examination is 90 minutes. • There will be no extra time to transfer answers to the Answer Sheet; therefore , you should write ALL your answers on the Answer Sheet as you do each task. 447
Part I Literary Fundamentals [30 points] Section 1.Match the works with their writers (10 points). Works 1.Of Studies 2.The Rime of the Ancient Mariner 3.Lord of the Flies 4.Jane Eyre 5.The Old Man and Sea Writers A.Charlotte Bronte B.JB Priestley C.Robert Louis Stenven D.Francis Bacon E.Ernest Hemingway F.William Golding G.Emily Dickinson H.Samuel Taylor Coleridge Section 2.Decide whether the following statements are True (T)or False (F)(10 points). 6.The novel A Christmas Carol charts the growing up of the character Pip. 7.The play The Im portance of Being Ernest is a tragedy. 8.Emily Dickinson is a well-known American poet. 9.Hamlet is one of Shakespeare's well-known tragedies,the other three being Macbeth,Othello and King Lear. 10.The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a novel addressing questions of equal rights between the blacks and whites. Section 3.Choose the correct answers to complete the following sentences (10 points). 11. is written to commemorate someone who has died. A.A limerick B.A sonnet C.An elegy D.An epitaph 448
Part I Literary Fundamentals [30 points] Section 1. Match the works with their writers (10 points). Works 1. Of Studies 2. The Rime of the Ancient Mariner 3. Lord of the Flies 4. Jane Eyre 5. The Old Man and Sea Writers A. Charlotte Bront B. ]B Priestley C. Robert Louis Stenven D. Francis Bacon E. Ernest Hemingway F. William Golding G. Emily Dickinson H. Samuel Taylor Coleridge Section 2. Decide whether the following statements are True (T) or False (F) (1 0 points). 6. The novel A Christmas Carol charts the growing up of the character Pip. 7. The play The 1m οrtance of Being Ernest is a tragedy. 8. Emily Dickinson is a well-known American poet. 9. Hamlet is one of Shakespeare' s well-known tragedies, the other three being Macbeth , Othello and King Lear. 10. The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a novel addressing questions of equal rights between the blacks and whites. Section 3. Choose the correct answers to complete the following sentences (1 0 points). 11. is written to commemorate someone who has died. 448 A. A limerick C. An elegy B. A sonnet D. An epitaph
12. can be established by describing the place where the action takes place,or the situation at the start of the story. A.Climax B.Point of view C.Flashback D.Setting 13.Which figure of speech is used in the following lines? "Suspicions amongst thoughts are like bats amongst birds,they ever fly by twilight..” A.Metaphor B.Parallelism C.Simile D.Pun 14.All the following were awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature except A.Harold Pinter B.Charles Dickens C.William Golding D.Ernest Hemingway 15.In his essay "Of Studies",the writer makes the point that education shapes and refines an individual's innate abilities thus: A."Histories make men wise;poets witty;the mathematics subtile;natural philosophy deep;moral grave;logic and rhetoric able to contend. B."..for natural abilities are like natural plants,that need pruning by study." C."To spend too much time in studies is sloth;to use them too much for ornament, is affectation..,” D."Studies serve for delight,for ornament,and for ability. Part II Reading Comprehension [50 points] Read the text 1-3 and choose the best answer to each question. Text 1 Proctor:Woman.(She turns to him.)I'll not have your suspicion any more. Elizabeth (a little loftily):I have no- Proctor:I'll not have it! Elizabeth:Then let you not earn it. Proctor (with a violent undertone):You doubt me yet? 449
12. can be established by describing the place where the action takes place , or the situation at the start of the story. A. Climax C. Flashback B. Point of view D. Setting 13. Which figure of speech is used in the followmg lines? "Suspicions amongst thoughts are like bats amongst birds , they ever fly by twilight. " A. Metaphor C. Simile B. Parallelism D. Pun 14. All the following were awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature except A. Harold Pinter C. William Golding B. Charles Dickens D. Ernest Hemingway 15. In his essay" Of Studies" , the writer makes the point that education shapes and • refines an individuaP s innate abilities thus: A. "Histories make men wise; poets witty; the mathematics subtile; natural philosophy deep; moral grave; logic and rhetoric able to contend. " B. " . .. for natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study. " C. "To spend too much time in studies is sloth; to use them too much for ornament , is affectation ...." D. "Studies serve for delight , for ornament , and for ability. " Part II Reading Comprehension [50 points] Read the text 1-3 and chωse the 臼t answer to each question. Text 1 Proctor: Woman. (She turns to him.) I'll not have your suspicion any more. Elizabeth (a little loftily) : I have no Proctor: I' 11 not have it! Elizabeth: Then let you not earn it. Proctor (with a violent undertone) : You doubt me yet? 449
Elizabeth (with a smile,to keep her dignity):John,if it were not Abigail that you must go to hurt,would you falter now?I think not. Proctor:Now look you- Elizabeth:I see what I see,John. Proctor (with solemn warning )You will not judge me more,Elizabeth.I have good reason to think before I charge fraud on Abigail,and I will think on it.Let you look to your own improvement before you go to judge your husband any more.I have forgot Abigail,and- Elizabeth:And I. Proctor:Spare me!You forget nothin'and forgive nothin'.Learn charity,woman.I have gone tiptoe in this house all seven month since she is gone.I have not moved from there to there without I think to please you,and still an everlasting funeral marches round your heart.I cannot speak but I am doubted,every moment judged for lies, as though I come into a court when I come into this house! Elizabeth:John,you are not open with me.You saw her with a crowd,you said.Now you- Proctor:I'll plead my honesty no more,Elizabeth. Elizabeth (now she would justify herself):John,I am only- Proctor:No more!I should have roared you down when first you told me your suspicion. But I wilted,and,like a Christian,I confessed.Confessed!Some dream I had must have mistaken you for God that day.But you're not,you're not and let you remember it!Let you look sometimes for the goodness in me,and judge me not. Elizabeth:I do not judge you.The magistrate sits in your heart that judges you.I never thought you but a good man,John -(with a smile )-only somewhat bewildered. Proctor:(laughing bitterly):Oh,Elizabeth,your justice would freeze beer! Questions 16-19 (12 points) 16.The extract is taken from A.Lord of the Flies B.The Crucible C.An Inspector Calls 450
• Elizabeth (witha smile , tokeep her dignity): John , if it were not Abigail that you must go to hurt , would you falter now? I think not. Proctor: Now look you Elizabeth: I see what I see , John. Proctor (with solemn warning) .: You will not judge me more , Elizabeth. I have good reason to think before I charge fraud on Abigail , .and I will think on it. Let you look to your Own improvement before you go to judge your husband any more. I have forgot Abigail , and - Elizabeth , And 1. Proctor: Spare me! You forget nothin' and forgive nothin 气Learn charity , woman. I have gone tiptoe in this house all seven month since she is gone. I have not moved from there to there without I think to please you , and still an everlasting funeral marches round your heart. I cannot speak but I am doubted , every moment judged for lies, as though I come into a COurt when I come into this house! Elizab巳th: John, you are not open with me. You saw her with a crowd , you said. Now you - Proctor: I' 11 plead my honesty no more , Elizabeth. Elizabeth (now she would justify herself) : John, I am only • Proctor: No more! I should have roared you down when first you told me your suspicion. But 1 wilted , and , like a Christian, I confessed. Confessed! Some dream 1 had must have mistaken you for God that day. But you' re not , you' re not and let you remember it! Let you look sometimes for the goodness in me , and judge me not. Elizabeth: I do not judge you. The magistrate sits in your heart that judges you. I never thought you but a good man , John a smile) somewhat bewildered. Proctor: (laughing bitterly): Oh , Elizabeth , your justice would freeze beer! Questions 16•19 02 points) 16. The extract is taken from 450 A. Lord of the Flies C. An Inspector Calls B. The Crucible
17.Which of the following is true according to the extract? A.There is great tension between Proctor and Elizabeth. B.Elizabeth demands Proctor to stop hurting Abigail. C.Proctor felt guilty because he has charged fraud on Abigail. 18.What does Proctor imply by the statement "..as though I come into a court when I come into this house'”? A."...I try to forget and forgive you but you keep reminding me of your fault yourself.” B."...You are too hard on me and I want to end our marriage through legal means.” C."...You make my life at home a misery with your constant suspicions and accusations.” 19.Elizabeth is portrayed as A.very supportive of her husband's decisions B.extremely suspicious of her husband C.ready to give up her life to save her husband Text 2 ..Kino had grown tight and hard.He felt the creeping of fate,the circling of wolves, the hover of vultures.He felt the evil coagulating about him,and he was helpless to protect himself.He heard in his ears the evil music.And on the black velvet the great pearl glistened,so that the dealer could not keep his eyes from it. The crowd in the doorway wavered and broke and let the three pearl dealers through. The crowd was silent now,fearing to miss a word,to fail to see a gesture or an expression. Kino was silent and watchful.He felt a little tugging at his back,and he turned and looked in Juana's eyes,and when he looked away he had renewed strength. The dealers did not glance at one another nor at the pearl.The man behind the desk said,I have put a value on this pearl.The owner here does not think it fair.I will ask you to examine this -this thing and make an offer.Notice,'he said to Kino,'I have not mentioned what I have offered.' 451
17. Which of the following is true according to the extract? A. There is great tension between Proctor and Elizabeth. Ii Elizabeth demands Proctor to stop hurting Abigail. C. Proctor felt guilty because he has charged fraud on Abigail. 18. What does Proctor imply by the sta.tement "…as though I come into a court when I come into this house"? A. " . .. I try to forget and forgive you but you keep reminding me of your fault yourself. " B." ... You are too hard on me and I want to end our marriage through legal means. " C." ... You make my life at home a misery with your constant suspicions and accusations. ,, 19. Elizabeth is portrayed as • A. very supportive of her husband's decisions B. extremely suspicious of her husband C. readyto give up her life to save her husband Text 2 • • • Kino had grown tight and hard. He felt the creeping of fate , the circling of wolves, the hover of vultures. He felt the evil coagulating about him , and he was helpless to protect himself. He heard in his ears the evil music. And on the black velvet the great pearl glistened , so that the dealer could not keep his eyes from it. The crowd in the doorway wavered and broke and let the three pearl dealers through. The crowd was silent now, fearing to miss a word , to fail to see a gesture or an expression. Kino was silent and watchful. He felt a little tugging at his back , and he turned and looked in Juana's eyes, and when he looked away he had renewed strength. The dealers did not glance at one another nor at the pearl. The man behind the desk said , ‘I have put a value on this pearl. The owner here does not think it fair. I will ask you to examine this - this thing and make an offer. Notice , ' he said to Kino , ‘I have not mentioned what I have offered. ' 451
The first dealer,dry and stringy,seemed now to see the pearl for the first time.He took it up,rolled it quickly between thumb and forefinger,and then cast it contemptuously back into the tray. 'Do not include me in this discussion,'he said dryly.'I will make no offer at all.I do not want it.This is not a pearl-it is a monstrosity.His thin lips curled. Now the second dealer,a little man with a shy soft voice,took up the pearl,and he examined it carefully.He took a glass from his pocket and inspected it under magnification. Then he laughed softly. 'Better pearls are made of paste,'he said.'I know these things.This is soft and chalky,it will lose its color and die in a few months.Look -.He offered the glass to Kino,showed him how to use it,and Kino,who had never seen a pearl's surface magnified, was shocked at the strange-looking surface. The third dealer took the pearl from Kino's hands.'One of my clients likes such things,'he said.'I will offer five hundred pesos,and perhaps I can sell it to my client for six hundred.’ Kino reached quickly and snatched the pearl from his hand.He wrapped it in the deerskin and thrust it inside his shirt. The man behind the desk said,'I'm a fool,I know,but my first offer stands.I still offer a thousand.What are you doing?'he asked,as Kino thrust the pearl out of sight. 'I am cheated,'Kino cried fiercely.'My pearl is not for sale here.I will go,perhaps even to the capital.’ Now the dealers glanced quickly at one another.They knew they had played too hard; they knew they would be disciplined for their failure,and the man at the desk said quickly, ‘I might go to fifteen hundred..’ But Kino was pushing his way through the crowd.The hum of talk came to him dimly, his rage blood pounded in his ears,and he burst through and strode away.Juana followed, trotting after him. 452
The first dealer, dry and stringy, seemed now to see the pearl for the first time. He took it up , rolled it quickly between thumb and forefinger , and then cast it contemptuously back into the tray. ‘ Do not include me in this discussion , ' he said dryly. ‘I will make no offer at all. I do not want it. This is not a pearl - it is a monstrosity. ' His thin lips curled. Now the second dealer, a little man with a shy soft voice , took up the pearl , and he examined it carefully. He took a glass from his pocket and inspected it under magnification. Then he laughed softly. ‘ Better pearls are made of paste ,' he said. ‘I know these things. This is soft and chalky , it will lose its color and die in a few months. Look -. ' He offered the glass to Kino , showed him how to use it , and Kino , who had never seen a pearl's surface magnified , was shocked at the strange-looking surface. The third dealer took the pearl from Kino' shands. 'One of my clients likes such things, ' he said. ‘I will offer five hundred pesos, and perhaps I can sell it to my client for six hundred. ' Kino reached quickly and snatched the pearl from his hand. He wrapped it in the deerskin and thrust it inside his shirt. The man behind the desk said 汀'm a fool , I know, but my first offer stands. I still offer a thousand. What are you doing?' he asked , as Kino thrust the pearl out of sight. ‘ I am cheated , ' Kino cried fiercely. ‘My pearl is not for sale here. I will go , perhaps even to the capital. ' Now the dealers glanced quickly at one another. They knew they had played too hard; they knew they would be disciplined for their failure , and the man at the desk said quickly , ‘ I might go to fifteen hundred. ' But Kino was pushing his way through the crowd. The hum of talk came to him dimly , his rage blood pounded in his ears, and he burst through and strode away. Juana followed , trotting after him. 452
Questions 20-22 (9 points) 20.The extract is taken from A.The Old Man and the Sea B.Heart of Darkness C.The Pearl 21.Which of the following is true of the three dealers? A.They conspired together to cheat Kino. B.They were not interested in Kino's pearl. C.They didn't know much about the shapes and sizes of pearls. 22.By using a number of verbs of violent action such as“snatched”,“thrust'”,and “burst through”,the writer successfully A.depicts the contrast of manners between Kino and the dealers B.characterizes Kino's habitual violent behavior C.shows Kino's strong emotions Text 3 I,too I,too,sing America. I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh, 。 And eat well, And grow strong. Tomorrow, I'll be at the table When company comes. Nobody'll dare 453
Questions 20-22 (9 points) 20. The extract is taken from • A. The Old Man and the Sea B. Heart of Darkness C. The Pearl 21. Which of the following is true of the three dealers? A. They conspired together to cheat Kino. B. They were not interested in Kino' s pearl. C. They didn' t know much about the shapes and sizes of pearls. 22. By using a number of verbs of violent action such as "snatched" , "thrust" , and "burst through" , the writer successfully A. depicts the contrast of manners between Kino and the dealers B. characterizes Kino' s habitual violent behavior C. shows Kino' s strong emotions • Text 3 I, too I, too , sing America. I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh , And eat well, And grow strong. QU 1nd 14ve zbc km CJwimH > , TVnnN mHHUJm 453
Say to me, “Eat in the kitchen,” Then. Besides, They'll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed- I,too,am America. [(Langston Hughes (1902-1967)] Questions 23-25 (9 points) 23.The poem is written in the form of A.sonnet B.free verse C.ballad 24.Which of the following expresses the theme of the poem? A.It mainly exposes the hypocrisy of the injustice to the black people B.It contains strong protest against the cold relationship between employers and employees. C.It expresses the hope of a bright future when equality is achieved. 25.The poem conveys a tone of A.distress and confusion and anguish B.confidence and optimism C.loss and nostalgia(怀i旧之情) Text 4 Read the text and give brief answers to the questions 26-29 that follow. Please note:This reading task will be relevant to the writing task in Part My Wonderful Lousy Poem When I was eight or nine years old,I wrote my first poem.At that time my father was a Hollywood tycoon,head of Paramount Studios.My mother was a prime mover in various 454
Say to me , "Eat in the kitchen ," Then. Besides, They' 11 see how beautiful I am And be ashamed I, too , am America. [(Langston Hughes (1 6 7 Questions 23-25 (9 points) 23. The poem is written in the form of A. sonnet C. ballad • B. free verse • • 24. Which of the following expresses the theme of the poem? A. It mainly exposes the hypocrisy of the injustice to the black people B. It contains strong protest against the cold relationship between employers and employees. C. It expresses the hope of a bright future when equality is achieved. 25. The poem conveys a tone of A. distress and confusion and anguish C. loss and nostalgia (怀旧之情) B. confidence and optimism Text 4 Read the text and give brief answers to the questions 26-29 that follow. Please note: This reading task will be relevant to the writing task in Part My Wonderful Lousy Poem When I was eight or nine years old , I wrote my first poem. At that time my father was a Hollywood tycoon , head of Paramount Studios. My mother was a prime mover in various 454
intellectual projects,helping to bring "culture"to the exuberant Hollywood community of the1920's. My mother read the little poem and began to cry."Buddy,you didn't really write this beautiful,beautiful poem!" Shyly,proud-bursting,I stammered that I had.She poured out her praise.Why,this poem was nothing short of genius! I glowed."What time will Father be home?"I asked.I could hardly wait to show him. I spent the best part of that afternoon preparing for his arrival.First,I wrote the poem out in my finest flourish.Then I crayoned an elaborate border around it that would do justice to its brilliant content.As seven o'clock drew near,I confidently placed it on my father's plate on the dining room table. But my father did not return at seven.Seven-fifteen came.Seven-thirty.The suspense was exquisite.I admired my father.I like to go to the studio and watch the cuts of his new pictures in his big projection room.He had begun his motion-picture career as a writer.He would be able to appreciate this wonderful poem of mine even more than my mother. But this evening when my father burst in,his mood seem even more thunderous than usual.An hour late for dinner,he could not sit down but circled the long dining room with a Scotch highball in his hand,calling down terrible oaths on his employees.I can see him now,a big Havana cigar in one hand,highball in the other,crying out against the Fates that had sentenced him to the cruel job of running a Hollywood studio. "Imagine,we would have finished the picture tonight,"my father was shouting. "Instead that moron (stupid person)suddenly gets it into her beautiful,empty little head that she can't play the last scene.So the whole company has to stand there at 1000 a minute while this silly little blank,who's lucky she isn't behind the counter of a five-and- ten,walks off the set！And now I have to beg her to come back on Monday！” He wheeled in his pacing,paused and glared at his plate.There was a suspenseful silence."What is this?"He was reaching for my poem. "Ben,a wonderful thing has happened,my mother began."Buddy has written his first 455
intellectual projects, helping to bring "culture" to the exuberant Hollywood community of the 1920's. My mother read the little poem and began to cry. "Buddy , you didn' t really write this beautiful , beautiful poem!" Shyly , proud-bursting , I stammered that I had. She poured out her praise. Why , this poem was nothing short of genius! I glowed. "What time will Father be hor,ne?" I asked. I could hardly wait to show him. I spent the best part of that afternoon preparing for his arrival. First , I wrote the poem out in my finest flourish. Then I crayoned an elaborate border around it that would do justice to its brilliant content. As seven 0' clock drew near, I confidently placed it on my father plate on the dining room table. But my father did not return at seven. Seven-fifteen came. Seven-thirty. The suspense was exquisite. I admired my father. I like to go to the studio and watch the cuts of his new pictures in his big projection room. He had begun his motion-picture career as a writer. He would be able to appreciate this wonderful poem of mine even more than my mother. But this evening when my father burst in , his mood seem even more thunderous than usual. An hour late for dinner, he could not sit down but circled the long dining room with a Scotch highball in his hand , calling down terrible oaths on his employees. I can see him now , a big Havana cigar in one hand , highball in the other, crying out against the Fates that had sentenced him to the cruel job of running a Hollywood studio. "Imagine , we would have finished the picture tonight ," my father was shouting. "Instead that moron (stupid person) suddenly gets it into her beautiful , empty little head that she can' t play the last scene. So the whole company has to stand there at $ 1000 a minute while this silly little blank , who' s lucky she isn' t behind the counter of a five-andten , walks off the set! And now I have to beg her to come back on Monday!" He wheeled in his pacing , paused and glared at his plate. There was a suspenseful silence."What is this?"He was reaching for my poem- "Ben , a wonderful thing has happened ," my mother began. "Buddy has written his first 455
poem！And it's beautiful,absolutely amaz一” "If you don't mind,I'd like to decide that for myself,"Father said. I kept my face lowered to my plate as he read that poem.It was only ten lines.But it seemed to take hours.I remember wondering why it was taking so long.I could hear my father breathing.Then I could hear him dropping the poem back on the table.Now came the moment of decision. “I think it's lousy,”my father said.. I couldn't look up.My eyes were getting wet. "Ben,sometimes I don't understand you,my mother was saying."This is just a little boy.You're not in your studio now.These are the first lines of poetry he's ever written. He needs encouragement." "I don't know why.My father held his ground."Isn't there enough lousy poetry in the world already?No law says Buddy has to become a poet. They quarreled over it,and I still remember my father's self-defense:"Look,I pay my best writers 2000 a week.All afternoon I've been tearing apart their stuff.I only pay Buddy 50 cents a week.And you're trying to tell me I don't have a right to tear apart his stuff if I think it's lousy!" I couldn't stand it another second.I ran from the dining room bawling.Up in my room I threw myself on the bed and sobbed. That may have been the end of the anecdote,but not of its significance for me. Inevitably the family wounds healed.My mother began talking to my father again.My father asked me whether I would like to go to a prizefight-his favorite recreation.I even began committing poetry again,though of course I dared not expose it to my father. A few years later I took a second look at that first poem:it was a pretty lousy poem. After a while,I worked up the courage to show him something new,a primitive short story written in what I fancied to be the dark Russian manner.My father thought it was over- written but not hopeless.I was learning to rewrite and my mother was learning that she could criticize me without crushing me.You might say we were all learning.I was going on 12. But it wasn't until years later that the true meaning of that painful "first poem" 456
poem! And it' s beautiful , absolutely amaz "If you don' t mind , I' d like to decide that for myself, "Father said. I kept my face lowered to my plate as he read that poem. It was only ten lines. But it seemed to take hours. I remember wondering why it was taking so long. I could hear my father breathing. Then I could hear him dropping the poem back on the table. Now came the moment of decision. "I think it 气lousy my father said. I couldn't look up. My eyes were getting wet. "Ben , sometimes I don' t understand you." my mother was saying. "This is just a little boy. You're not in your studio now. Thes巳are the first lines of poetry he' s ever written. He needs encouragement. " "I don't know why." My father held his ground. "Isn't there enough lousy poetry in the world already? No law says Buddy has to become a poet. " They quarreled over it. and I still remember my father's self-defense: "Look. I pay my best writers $ 2000 a week. All afternoon I' ve been tearing apart their stuff. I only pay Buddy 50 cents a week. And you' re trying to tell me I don' t have a right to tear apart his stuff if I think it's lousy!" I couldn' t stand it another second. I ran from the dining room bawling. Up in my room I threw myself on the bed and sobbed. That may have been the end of the anecdote. but not of its significance for me. Inevitably the family wounds healed. My mother began talking to my father again. My father asked me whether I would like to go to a prizefight - hisfavorite recreation. I even began committing poetry again. though of course I dared not expose it to my father. A few years later I took a second look at that first poem: it was a pretty lousy poem. After a while. I worked up the courage to show him something new. a primitive short story written in what I fancied to be the dark Russian manner. My father thought it was overwritten but not hopeless. I was learning to rewrite and my mother was learning that she could criticize me without crushing me. You might say we were all learning. I was going on 12. But it wasn' t until years later that the true meaning of that painful "first poem" 456
