Hello students. I’m proud of you for completing years 1 and 2 of our American English course. In order for you to become a strong intermediate American English learner, you need to be able to read, understand, and discuss abridged American English short stories. In this lesson, throughout Year 3 of your studies, you will read, listen to, and write about popular American English short stories. Please follow the directions below closely.
- Study the American English vocabulary below.
Words in This Story
shrug – v. to raise and lower your shoulders usually to show that you do not know or care about something
sensual – adj. relating to, devoted to, or producing physical or sexual pleasure
gumbo – n. a thick soup made in the southern U.S. with meat or seafood and usually okra
role – n. the character played by an actor
secure – v. to get (something) by using effort
homesick – adj. sad because you are away from your family and home
overcome – v. to affect (someone) very strongly or severely – usually used as (be) overcome
- Listen to the story.
- Watch the video and read along.
- Take the short story quiz.
Take quiz: https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/2741685/p1.html?isEmbedded=True
- Write a summary of the short story you just read and listened to in the comments section below. Click here to read an article that teaches you how to summarize a story. Remember to let us know who the characters of the story are, what they do, and what the story is about.
Lesson 3.35.2: Year 3
American Story, “‘ Athanasia ” Written by Kate Chopin
The story is very interesting and fascinating. Although the story has many characters, but it revolves around the life of a willful young. woman, named Athenasie.She has strong will and daring character. Athenasie , just hate being married and wants to be single again. She has nothing personally against her husband and she is clear that he does not mistreat her in anyway or abuse her. What she finds so difficult to accept is the way that marriage represents a kind of controlling people by force and limiting their freedom. She runs away from her husband’s Louisiana plantation and lives secretly in New Orleans. One day, she complains to Madam Sylivia, the owner of Orleans boarding house that she is feeling not well. Madam Sylivia is a wise woman and ask her to go to the doctor. When she realizes that she is pregnant, her Perseptive suddenly changes, and this provokes her passion for her husband.
In the quiz of this story, I got 75%
Dear teacher,
Lesson 3.35.2: Year 3
American Story, “‘ Athanasia ” Written by Kate Chopin.
Athenaise went away one morning to visit her parents, ten miles back on the Bon Dieu River in Louisiana. She did not return in the evening, and Cazeau, her husband, was worried.
Cazeau expressed his worries to his servant, Felicite, who served him dinner.
She was angrily and not returned home even her husband write massage to her and then he leaved home for searching his wife. Athenaise did not return the next day, although her husband sent a message to do so through her brother, Monteclin. On the third day, Cazeau prepared his horse and went himself in search of her.
Cazeau stood up and went inside the house to his wife’s room.
“Athenaise, get ready,” he said quietly.
“It is late and we do not have time to lose.”
Athenaise was not prepared for his calm request. She felt a sense of hopelessness about continuing to rebel against the idea of marriage. She gathered her hat and gloves. Then, she walked downstairs past her brother and mother, got on her horse and rode away. Cazeau followed behind her. No one could understand why she so hated her role as wife. Cazeau had never spoken angrily to her or called her names or failed to give her everything she wanted. His main offense seemed to be that he loved her.
And Athenaise was not a woman to be loved against her will.
She was staying at a private hotel that Monteclin had chosen and paid to rent for a month. A woman named Sylvie owned the hotel and took good care of Athenaise.
Athenaise soon became friends with
Mister Governail who was also staying at the hotel. This friendship helped her feel less lonely about missing her family. But Mister Governail soon started to fall in love with Athenaise. He knew she was uninformed, unsatisfied and strong-willed.
But he also suspected that she loved her husband, although she did not know it.
Sylvie was very wise, and Athenaise was very stupid. Sylvie very calmly explained to Athenaise that she was feeling sick because she was pregnant.
Athenaise sat very still for a long time thinking about this new information.
The next day Athenaise spent travelling home. When she arrived at Cazeau’s, he lifted her out of the horse carriage and they held each other tight. The country night was warm and still except for a baby crying in the distance.
Thank you.