Page 82 - The Language of Composition 4e Teacher Edition Sample.indd

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lines of reaction on my environment, and sigh- Since Balaam’s beast there has been but lit-
4
ing for new worlds to conquer, I determined that tle authentic talking done by the four-footed; but
CLOSE READING Identity I would learn the bicycle. that is no reason why the two-wheeled should
An English naval officer had said to me, after not speak its mind, and the first utterance I have
You might want to point out the witty use of
ou might want to point out the witty use of
Y
personification in paragraph 4 (the bicycle learning it himself, “You women have no idea of to chronicle in the softly flowing vocables of my
“speak[s]” to its rider). What life lessons the new realm of happiness which the bicycle bicycle is to the following purport. I heard it as
does the bicycle seem to suggest to its has opened to us men.” Already I knew well we trundled off down the Priory incline at the
rider, and how does this advice correspond enough that tens of thousands who could never suburban home of Lady Henry Somerset,
to Willard’s desire to effect change both afford to own, feed, and stable a horse, had by Reigate, England; it said: “Behold, I do not fail
Copyright (c) 2023 Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. Uncorrected proofs have been used for this sample chapter.
judiciously and effectively? Why do stu- this bright invention enjoyed the swiftness of you; I am not a skittish beastie, but a sober,
dents believe Willard chose this particular motion which is perhaps the most fascinating well-conducted roadster. I did not ask you to
rhetorical strategy here? feature of material life, the charm of a wide out- mount or drive, but since you have done so you
look upon the natural world, and that sense of must now learn the laws of balance and exploita-
mastery which is probably the greatest attraction tion. I did not invent these laws, but I have been
in horseback-riding. But the steed that never built conformably to them, and you must suit
CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING tires, and is “mettlesome” in the fullest sense of yourself to the unchanging regulations of gravity,
Distributed by Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. Strictly for use with its products. Not for redistribution.
You may want to highlight some of the the word, is full of tricks and capers, and to hold general and specific, as illustrated in me. Strange
tricky vocabulary coming up in this pas- his head steady and make him prance to suit as the paradox may seem, you will do this best by
sage (pars. 3–4) in order to provide a step- you is no small accomplishment. I had often not trying to do it at all. You must make up what
ping stone to understanding (steed: horse mentioned in my temperance writings that the you are pleased to call your mind — make it up
available for riding; mettlesome: spirited bicycle was perhaps our strongest ally in winning speedily, or you will be cast in yonder mud-
and courageous; capers: skips about in a young men away from public-houses, because it puddle, and no blame to me and no thanks to
lively way; blithesome: cheerful; Balaam’s afforded them a pleasure far more enduring, and yourself. Two things must occupy your thinking
beast: a biblical reference in which a don- an exhilaration as much more delightful as the powers to the exclusion of every other thing: first,
key is given powers to see an angel and natural is than the unnatural. From my observa- the goal; and, second, the momentum requisite
rebukes his master for mistreating him; tion of my own brother and hundreds of young to reach it. Do not look down like an imbecile
vocable: a word with reference to form men who have been my pupils, I have always upon the steering-wheel in front of you — that
rather than meaning). You may also want to held that a boy’s heart is not set in him to do evil would be about as wise as for a nauseated voy-
help students navigate the metaphors Wil- any more than a girl’s, and that the reason our ager to keep his optical instruments fixed upon
lard uses for a bicycle in these paragraphs, young men fall into evil ways is largely because the rolling waves. It is the curse of life that nearly
often comparing it to a horse (“the steed we have not had the wit and wisdom to provide every one looks down. But the microscope will
that never tires”). them with amusements suited to their joyous never set you free; you must glue your eyes to the
youth, by means of which they could invest their telescope for ever and a day. Look up and off and
superabundant animal spirits in ways that on and out; get forehead and foot into line, the
should harm no one and help themselves to the latter acting as a rhythmic spur in the flanks of
DIFFERENTIATION best development and the cleanliest ways of liv- your equilibriated equine; so shall you win, and
Speaking and Listening ing. So as a temperance reformer I always felt a that right speedily.
strong attraction toward the bicycle, because it is “It was divinely said that the kingdom of God 5
You might have small groups of students the vehicle of so much harmless pleasure, and is within you. Some make a mysticism of this
examine Willard’s claim in paragraph 4: “It because the skill required in handling it obliges declaration, but it is hard common sense; for the
is the curse of life that nearly every one those who mount to keep clear heads and steady lesson you will learn from me is this: every
looks down. But the microscope will never hands. Nor could I see a reason in the world why
set you free; you must glue your eyes to a woman should not ride the silent steed so swift
the telescope for ever and a day. Look up and blithesome. . . . 1 Balaam is a biblical figure whose donkey, miraculously given the
and off and on and out.” Which topics or power of speech, saves his life. — Eds.
issues are better analyzed closely in isola- 188
tion (with a microscope) and which lend
themselves to long-range vision (with a
telescope)? Groups could brainstorm top-
ics in each category, and then draft a thesis
statement that responds to Willard’s claim 05_sheatlc4e_40925_ch04_170_315.indd 188 CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING 12/10/22 2:33 PM
about the way to approach life.
The final sentence in paragraph 4 might prove
difficult for students. You might ask students
to “chunk” the passage. “Look up and off
and on and out” is an example of how syntax
and pacing can represent the writer’s pur-
pose. How does Willard connect the bicycle
with the horse in her phrase “equilibriated
equine”? You could also use this moment to
remind students about how the punctuation
for the quotation works, since the bicycle
continues to “speak” in paragraph 5.

188 chapter 4 / Identity

05_sheatlcte4e_46921_ch04_170a_315_2pp.indd 188 1/20/23 7:44 PM