Unit 2 The Company Man 段落解析

The Company ManBy :bombom

1. How many times is “he finally worked himself to death, at precisely 3:00 a.m. Sunday morning”?2. Why is it repeated? 3. Can you raise some aspects in Phil’s life into illustrate his being a workaholic? 4. What is the implication of the ending?

Phil was overweight and nervous and worked too hard. If he wasn't at the office he was worried about it. Phil was a Type A, heart-attack natural. You could have picked him out in a minute from a lineup.

So when he finally worked himself to death, at precisely 3:00 A.M. Sunday morning, no one was really surprised.

pick outa. 认出来，辨认出； b. 精心挑选

Her purple hair make it easy to pick her out in a crowd.

By 5:00 P.M. the afternoon of the funeral, the company president had begun, discreetly of course, with care and taste, to make inquiries about his replacement. One of three men. He asked around: "Who's been working the hardest?"

inquiry1: a question which you ask in order to get some information. 询问，打听 eg: We are expecting your rely to inquiry.2: an official investigation. 调查

eg: This is the most difficult and shocking murder inquiry I have had to open in the last 25 years.这是 25 年来我所展开的最困难、最令人震惊的谋杀调查。

inquiry into 对……的调查 inquiry about 有关……的调查，打听……make a inquiry 询价

1. How many times is “he finally worked himself to death, at precisely 3:00 a.m. Sunday morning”?

Three times .

2. Why is it repeated?By repeating this sentence, the author relates the two contradictory ideas ——work and Sunday and thus reveals the personality of the man and implies the man is destined to be exhausted.

3. Can you raise some aspects in Phil’s life into illustrate his being a workaholic?

Over-long working time, no hobby, monotonous diet, estranged relationship with family members…

4. What is the implication of the ending?It aims the story of Phil sees on end: He will soon be replaced by an equally hardworking guy who may following in his steps and repeat the same tragedy . Bosses are always on the lookout for workaholics and they are never in short supply. The ending is full of sarcasm and bitterness.

Thank you!

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