Section A . Discuss the following questions:
1) How do you feel about your present life?
2) Are you in a bad mood sometimes? If so, why?
3) Do you know how to keep yourself in a good mood?
4) How do you react to difficulties in life? Can you give an example?
5) Do you think optimism is the key to a happy and better life?
Section B Quotes
▇Study the following quotes about personality and see if you accept the ideas expressed in the quotes.
⊙ Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face. ─Victor Hugo
Interpretation:
When we feel disappointed, sad, lonely or miserable, we tend to feel as if we were living in winter. But laughter is a good medicine and it can work miracles. If we make a conscious effort to laugh, we will soon find that we are in a better mood. Here, Victor Hugo tells us, in a humorous way, the importance of being optimistic in times of adversity.
About Victor Hugo:
Victor Hugo (1802-1885): French writer of poems, plays, and novels. Two of his most famous novels, Notre Dame de Paris (《巴黎圣母院》); in English also called The Hunchback of Notre Dame (《钟楼怪人》) and Les Misérables (《悲惨世界》), have been made into films, and Les Misérables has also been made into a famous musical (音乐剧).
⊙ What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise (伪装). ─Oscar Wilde
Interpretation:
Life is full of trials. When you are in difficulty or suffer a setback, don't despair. You can always find something good in what seems to be a bad thing. Once you've gone through the trials, you will find yourself stronger and in a better position to attain success.
About Oscar Wilde:
Oscar Wilde (1854-1900): Irish writer of poems, stories, and especially humorous plays. He is best known for his play The Importance of Being Earnest and for his novel The Picture of Dorian Gray.
⊙ A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. ─Winston Churchill
Interpretation:
The attitude of a person colours things around him or her. A pessimistic person is always focusing on the negative side of things. Even when there is a good opportunity, a pessimist will think about the possible dangers or risks involved in it. An optimist does recognize the difficulties, but he or she chooses to focus on the positive side.
About Winston Churchill:
Winston Churchill (1874-1965): British politician who was Prime Minister during most of World War II and again from 1951 to 1955. He is still remembered and admired by most British people as a great leader who made possible
⊙ Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence. ─ Helen Keller
Interpretation:
Optimism is essential for achievement. If we see no hope and have no confidence in what we are doing, we can achieve nothing. It is hope and confidence that motivate us to reach our objectives.
About Helen Keller:
Helen Keller (1880-1968): US writer known especially for the way she learned to speak and write after becoming blind and deaf as a baby. She greatly helped blind and deaf people by collecting money, making speeches, and trying to change people's attitudes. She was the subject of a famous book and film about her life called The Miracle Worker (《奇迹创造者》).
