Zesson SA Button,Button by Richard Matheson
Button, Button by Richard Matheson
1.Introduction of the text 2.Text 3.Language points 4.Exercises A.exercises related to the text B. Grammar and I grammar exercises
1. Introduction of the text 2. Text 3. Language points 4. Exercises : A. exercises related to the text B. Grammar and grammar exercises
Introduction This fantasy seems to be designed to expose certain people's moral failings:in this case greed and insensitivity.It succeeds in this purpose. With a little imagination however,one might feel that the author could be ridiculing the moral failings of humanity as a whole rather than a few individuals like Norma in the story. Button-pressing has replaced bayonet fighting.And one can without seeing the blood or hearing the scream or witnessing the the death agony.Above all,one is convinced that all this killing will eventually bring enormous material reward to the killer.All these are misconceptions of course. One might note in passing that in this story
Introduction This fantasy seems to be designed to expose certain people’s moral failings: in this case greed and insensitivity. It succeeds in this purpose. With a little imagination however, one might feel that the author could be ridiculing the moral failings of humanity as a whole rather than a few individuals like Norma in the story. Button-pressing has replaced bayonet fighting. And one can without seeing the blood or hearing the scream or witnessing the the death agony. Above all , one is convinced that all this killing will eventually bring enormous material reward to the killer. All these are misconceptions of course. One might note in passing that in this story
the woman is the greedy and insensitive one,while it is her husband who has the high moral standards. Certainly this happens in real life as well,but it is not quite representative.Commitment to monetary goals regardless of human costs is far more common among men than women in the West.This is clearly evidenced by the overwhelming preponderance of men in prison for theft and murder compared to women. The ending tends to rely on a gimmick.Norma is willing to accept another person's death as long as she doesn't know fact that she is punished by the death of her husband,the more important and profound point gets lost.It, in fact,is not an unknown "old Chinese
the woman is the greedy and insensitive one, while it is her husband who has the high moral standards. Certainly this happens in real life as well , but it is not quite representative. Commitment to monetary goals regardless of human costs is far more common among men than women in the West. This is clearly evidenced by the overwhelming preponderance of men in prison for theft and murder compared to women. The ending tends to rely on a gimmick. Norma is willing to accept another person’s death as long as she doesn’t know fact that she is punished by the death of her husband, the more important and profound point gets lost. It , in fact, is not an unknown “ old Chinese
peasant'”or“diseased native in the Congo”who dies because of her greed and insensitivity.The suggestion is that it were one of these people,it would have mattered much less,and that it only matters because it is her husband whom she has killed
peasant” or “diseased native in the Congo ” who dies because of her greed and insensitivity. The suggestion is that it were one of these people , it would have mattered much less, and that it only matters because it is her husband whom she has killed
lesson Six Text Button,Button by Richard Matheson The package was lying by the front door-a cube-shape carton sealed with tape.(1 Norma picked it up,(2)unlocked the door,and went into the apartment.It was just getting dark. After she put the lamb chops (3)in the broiler,she sat down to open the package. Inside the carton was a push-button unit fastened to a small wooden box.A glass dome covered the button.Norma tried to lift it off,but it was locked in place.(4 She turned the unit over and saw a piece of paper taped to the button of the box:"Mr. Steward will call on you at 8:00 p.m
lesson Six Text Button, Button by Richard Matheson The package was lying by the front door—a cube-shape carton sealed with tape.（1）Norma picked it up, (2) unlocked the door, and went into the apartment. It was just getting dark. After she put the lamb chops (3) in the broiler, she sat down to open the package. Inside the carton was a push-button unit fastened to a small wooden box. A glass dome covered the button. Norma tried to lift it off, but it was locked in place. (4) She turned the unit over and saw a piece of paper taped to the button of the box: “Mr. Steward will call on you at 8:00 p.m
lesson Six Text Norma put the button unit on the couch,and went back into the kitchen to make the salad. The doorbell rang at eight o'clock.“'业get达，”Norma called from the kitchen.Arthur was in the living room.reading. A small man.He removed his hat as Norma opened the door. "Mrs.Lewis?"he inquired politely."Yes?""I am Mr.Steward." “Oh,yes.”Norma repressed(⑥a smile.She was sure now並 was a sales pitch.(7 "I am rather busy,"Norma said."I will get you your whatchamacallit,(8)though." She started to turn. “Don't you want to know what it is?” Norma turned back."No,I don't think so
lesson Six Text Norma put the button unit on the couch, and went back into the kitchen to make the salad. The doorbell rang at eight o’clock. “I’ll get it,”(5) Norma called from the kitchen. Arthur was in the living room.reading. A small man. He removed his hat as Norma opened the door. “Mrs. Lewis?” he inquired politely. “Yes?” “I am Mr. Steward.” “Oh, yes.” Norma repressed (6) a smile. She was sure now it was a sales pitch. (7) “I am rather busy,” Norma said. “I will get you your whatchamacallit, (8) though.” She started to turn. “Don’t you want to know what it is?” Norma turned back. “No, I don’t think so
lesson Six Text It could prove very valuable,"he told her. "Monetarily?"she challenged. Mr.Steward nodded.“Monetarily,.”9 he said Norma frowned.She didn't like his attitude."What are you trying to sell?"she asked. “I am not selling anything,”he answered, Arthur came out of the living room."Something wrong?" Mr.Steward introduced himself. "Oh,the---"Arthur pointed toward the living room and smiled."What is that gadget,anyway?
lesson Six Text “It could prove very valuable,” he told her. “Monetarily?” she challenged. Mr. Steward nodded. “Monetarily,”(9) he said. Norma frowned. She didn’t like his attitude. “What are you trying to sell?” she asked. “I am not selling anything,” he answered. Arthur came out of the living room. “Something wrong?” Mr. Steward introduced himself. “Oh, the----,” Arthur pointed toward the living room and smiled. “What is that gadget, anyway?
lesson Six Text "It won't take long to explain,"replied Mr.Steward. “May I come in? Arthur looked at Norma.“☑o to you,”L0 she said. He hesitated."Well,why not?"he said. They went into the living room.Mr.Steward reached into his pocket and withdrew small envelop.(11"Inside here is a key to the bell-unit dome,"he said. “What's it for??”L2 asked Arthur. "Ifyou push the button,"Mr.Steward told him, "somewhere in the world someone will die
lesson Six Text “It won’t take long to explain,” replied Mr. Steward. “May I come in?” Arthur looked at Norma. “Up to you,” (10) she said. He hesitated. “Well, why not?” he said. They went into the living room. Mr. Steward reached into his pocket and withdrew small envelop. (11) “Inside here is a key to the bell-unit dome,” he said. “What’s it for?” (12) asked Arthur. “If you push the button,” Mr. Steward told him, “somewhere in the world someone will die.
Lesson Six Text In return for this you will receive a payment of S50,000.”(13 Norma stared at the small man. "What are you talking about?"Arthur asked him. Mr.Steward looked surprised."But I've just explained," he said. “Is this a practical joke'?”l4 asked Arthur. "Not at all.The offer is completely genuine." “ou aren't making sense,”5 Arthur said. "I think you'd better leave
Lesson Six Text In return for this you will receive a payment of $ 50,000.” (13) Norma stared at the small man. “What are you talking about?” Arthur asked him. Mr. Steward looked surprised. “But I’ve just explained,” he said. “Is this a practical joke?” (14) asked Arthur. “Not at all. The offer is completely genuine.” “You aren’t making sense,” (15) Arthur said. “I think you’d better leave
