Unit 4 Exploring Literature Reading 课件 -2025-2026学年高中英语 牛津译林版（2020）必修第二册

Unit 4 Exploring Literature The Wonder of Literature Lead in Listen & Think Close your eyes and imagine you are holding a shell. What sound might you hear? the sea the wind or something mysterious? A story A child once held a shell to his ear. He believed he heard a new world of sounds. What does the story mean? Does the shell create new sounds? Or does it reveal something we did not notice before? However, an old man told him: It is not a new world. It is the music of the old world. This small story suggests an important idea about  how literature works. Sometimes we think writers create completely new worlds. But actually, great writers often do something different: They help us see ordinary life in a new way. This is exactly what literature does. Literature and the Shell Just like a shell reveals the sound of the sea, literature reveals the hidden meaning of life. Writers observe the world carefully and express their discoveries through language. Readers then begin to notice things they never thought about before. “Great literature is language charged with meaning.” — Ezra Pound Literature is not just ordinary language. It is language that carries:   deep emotion rich imagination powerful meaning In other words, literature makes words  alive and meaningful. Reading Task Task 1: Skimming Before exploring the details of literature, understand the main idea of the text. Skim the passage quickly and answer: What is the article mainly about? A. The history of literature B. How to write literature C. What makes great literature ☑️ Task 2: Understanding the Structure Good readers always pay attention to how a text is organized. Structure of the article Introduction Three qualities of literature Conclusion Understanding the structure helps us grasp the author's logic. Scanning Task Task 3: Find Key Information Scan the text and find the three qualities of great literature. They are: Truth & Beauty Feelings & Imagination Permanence These qualities explain why great works remain meaningful across time. Quality 1 The first quality of literature is its description of truth and beauty. Great writers can discover beauty even in ordinary things. They observe life deeply and reveal hidden truths. Through their words, readers begin to see ordinary life differently. An ordinary man sees dead grass. But a poet writes: “Yesterday’s flowers am I.” Reflection: Why does the poet say “I”? He feels the pain of aging and decay. He discovers the dignity of having lived and experienced life. Literature connects human life with the natural world. Quality 2 The second quality of literature is its appeal to feelings and imagination. Literature does not only provide information. Instead, it encourages readers to  imagine, feel and experience. “Was this the face that launched a thousand ships?” “She is beautiful.” Effect: Provides limited facts. The reader remains a passive observer. “...launched a thousand ships.” Effect: Describes the catastrophic consequence of beauty. The reader feels the impact. Literature’s job is not to describe outward appearance, but to inspire imagination. Step 1: The key The writer gives clues. Step 2: The door The text opens a door. Step 3: The world The reader's imagination completes the world. A collaborative daydream Literature is a collaboration between the writer, the text and the reader. Thinking Question Millions of books are published every year. But why are most forgotten quickly, while some books are read hundreds of years later? This leads to the third quality of literature. Quality 3 The third quality of literature is permanence. Great works remain meaningful across time because they describe universal human experiences. Universal Themes Literature often explores themes such as: love fear hope sadness These emotions are shared by all humans, regardless of time or culture. This universality gives literature its lasting power. Personal Style At the same time, every writer has a unique voice. For example: William Shakespeare Lu Xun Although their styles are different, both writers are unforgettable. Their works show the power of individual expression. Task 4: Literature Detective Mission Read each sentence and decide which quality it represents. Options: Truth & Beauty Feelings &Imagination Permanence Round 1 The writer describes an old tree in autumn and shows the quiet beauty of nature and life. Which quality does this sentence show? A. Truth & Beauty B. Feelings & Imagination C. Permanence Answer: A The writer discovers beauty in an ordinary scene and reveals a deeper truth about life. Round 2 Instead of saying “The hero was brave,” the author writes: “He stood alone against the storm while the whole army stepped back.” Which quality does this sentence show? A. Truth & Beauty B. Feelings & Imagination C. Permanence Answer: B The vivid image stimulates readers’ imagination and emotions. Round 3 Many people today still read the plays of Shakespeare written more than 400 years ago. Which quality does this sentence show? A. Truth & Beauty B. Feelings & Imagination C. Permanence Answer: C The works remain meaningful and influential across centuries. Round 4 Great novels often explore universal themes like love, hope, fear and loss. Which quality does this sentence show? A. Truth & Beauty B. Feelings & Imagination C. Permanence Answer: C Universal themes allow literature to remain relevant across different times and cultures. Final Understanding Literature helps us: see life more clearly feel emotions more deeply understand the human experience Through language, literature reveals the hidden music of life. Final Task Task 5: Choose a Great Work Choose a famous literary work and explain: Why is it great literature? You may discuss: truth or beauty feelings and imagination universal themes Conclusion Just like a shell reveals the sound of the sea, It allows us to see the world with new understanding and deeper feeling. literature reveals the music of life. null 3213.0652 null 3369.8005 $