9 Mr. Know All

1、Plot Summary A gadfly passenger on board a ship makes a nuisance of himself, but displays the supreme virtue of compassion in a situation that demands the ultimate in self-control and sacrifice.,Setting: The story takes place in international waters on an ocean going liner sailing from San Francisco

2、, U.S.A to Yokohama, Japan on the Pacific ocean. As WWI had just ended, it was difficult to get accommodations. Therefore, the narrator had to share a cabin with a total stranger.,In “Mr. Know-All”, the narrator displays racism on at least four different occasions: prejudges his cabin-mate, Mr. Kela

3、da, by his last name (1). 2. dislikes the look of his luggage (2). 3. in his physical description of Max Kelada (10). 4. judges Mr. Kelada simply by calling him Mr. Know-All (28).,Narrator He was prejudiced against all non- Britons, feeling superior to them. He abhorred the cultural differences betw

4、een Kelada and himself. He both detested and despised Mr. Keladas gestures. Therefore, the description of Kelada is negative and biased. He searches for the smallest reasons not to like him.,“The Definition of a Gentleman” (1852 ) Cardinal Newman Hence it is that it is almost a definition of a gentl

5、eman to say that he is one who never inflicts pain. He is seldom prominent in conversation, and never wearisome. He makes light of favors while he does them, and seems to be receiving when he is conferring. He never speaks of himself except when compelled; He is never mean or little in his disputes,

6、 never takes unfair advantage, never mistakes personalities or sharp saying for arguments. He has too much good sense to be affronted at insults, he is too well employed to remember injuries, and too indolent to bear malice. .,The narrators prejudice is based on several cultural differences between

7、him and Mr. Kelada: a) A total stranger should address a gentleman with Mr. and be formal. b) A gentleman shouldnt be pushy. c) A gentleman should be modest. d) A gentleman should keep quiet during meals. e) A gentleman shouldnt be too chatty and argumentative. f) A gentleman shouldnt show off and b

8、oast about his super knowledge. g) A gentleman shouldnt be too dogmatic.,“Often in our self indulged lives we dont take a moment to step back and look deeply at the true characters of the people around us. Instead we are happier with making our unsupported judgments on people and continuing to go ab

9、out our own concerns. we too often tend to act judgmental towards others, but later when we pause and take a closer look, we may find that they are truly greater in character than we are”.,Mr. Max Kelada /Chatty/Patriotic/Familiar/A good mixer/He ran everything (28)./He was everywhere and always. In

10、sensitive/Most intolerable/ Hearty /jovial/ loquacious/He knows everything better than anybody else./Vain/dogmatic/cocksure tidy/ orderly/ Generous/ good-natured/ easy-going/ warm-hearted/ Knowledgeable /learned/ kind/gentlemanlike,Moral/Theme: we must not judge a book by its cover /Pride and Prejud

11、ice This story shows that first impressions are often misleading and that appearances are sometimes deceptive. Mr. Kelada who is described as a disgusting person who shows off all the time and knows everything better than others, is in reality a sensitive, brave gentleman who wouldnt hurt others. On

12、 the other hand, Mrs. Ramsay, whose modesty and good qualities no one questions, has been unfaithful to her husband.,Foreshadowing refers to “the organization and presentation of events and scenes in a work of fiction or drama so that the reader or observer is prepared to some degree for wht occurs later in the work”. This ca