Bedside Lamp English Learning Reader I: Son and Lover (English-Chinese Contrast)

Author: Mao Ronggui
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: Views on Reading from Famous Figures in the English World. It's not enough to just learn a few dry English sentences; don't always put the purpose of reading as improving English. Reading is primarily about absorbing knowledge, and in the process of absorbing knowledge, the language is naturally absorbed as well. — Xu Guozhang
Thinking in English is an aspiration many English learners hope to achieve, as it is the foundation for expressing thoughts fluently in English. For a Chinese student living in a non-English environment, it is indeed challenging to think partly or entirely in English, but it is not an unattainable goal. From my own experience learning English, I have found that persistent extensive reading is one of the most effective ways to achieve this goal. — He Qixin (Vice President and Doctoral Supervisor, Beijing Foreign Studies University)
For intermediate and advanced English learners, I especially recommend easy English readers. The material should be simple and engaging, and the reading speed should be as fast as possible. The more you read, the better. This is a tried-and-true method for learning English. — Hu Wenzhong (Professor, Beijing Foreign Studies University)
This book is D.H. Lawrence's first successful work, written based on his own childhood and youth. The protagonist, Paul, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Morel, who fall in love at first sight at a ball and marry. However, Mr. Morel is a miner, while Mrs. Morel comes from the middle class. Their life philosophies are completely different. Facing her husband's aimlessness, Mrs. Morel feels her hopes shatter. Her disappointment, dissatisfaction, and resentment toward her husband lead her to pour all her love and expectations into her son. She first hopes for her eldest son, William, but he dies young. Then she turns her hopes to her second son, Paul, hoping he will rise to prominence and fulfill her dreams. She loves her son, encourages him to achieve fame and success, and helps him climb the social ladder; yet she also controls his spirit, preventing him from falling in love with any other woman. This leaves Paul confused and lost in his emotional life. His relationship with his girlfriend, Millie, brings him spiritual suffering. However, like his mother, Millie tries to dominate Paul's spirit, leaving him suffocated. Eventually, they break up. Paul is also involved with a woman named Clara, who is separated from her husband. He finds physical fulfillment with her, but Clara eventually ends their relationship and returns to her husband. In the end, Mrs. Morel passes away, and Paul and Millie fail to reunite. He remains alone, drifting from place to place, continuing his spiritual struggle.