Dear KYOTO NHK ESS members,
This is an announcement of practice on June 18.
I am sorry, I will absent 6/11. So I would like you to announce the contents of 6/18's practice tomorrow.
TITLE: WALDEN
GENRE: READING, WRITING, DISCUSSION and SPEECH.
The outline of the practice is as follow:
1. INTRODUCTION
The book “Walden” was written by Henry David Thoreau and published in 1854. He had lived alone in a house he built on the shores of Walden Pond, and earned his living by himself for two years and two months. While and after he lived in Walden, he thought about civilized modern society, what is necessary for life, what we live for and so on. In today’s practice, we will read articles and then, discuss our lives.
2. READ BELOW ARTICLE
What is necessary for life [H.D.Thoreau, Walden, IBC Publishing, pp.15-24] Just for a moment, let us look at all the trouble and worry in our lives, and see how much we should really be troubled or worried. What I meant by “necessary for life” is this: all the things that people gained by the labor of their own hands, people have considered from the first, or people long used, they are absolutely necessary. For most animals, food is the only thing they need. As for human, what is necessary for life may be divided up into four things. Food, clothing, shelter and fuel. It is only after we have gotten these four that we are ready to think about problems of life with any freedom or hope of success. Fire was probably discovered by accident, and at first it was a luxury. But now we cannot live without it. Even dogs and cats copy their master and sit by the fire. In some countries, summer is nearly a perfect time of a year, seen from human point of view. Fuel is unnecessary except to cook. The sun provides fire that is needed, and some kind fruit is “cooked” by its ray. A variety of food is ready at hand, and clothing and shelter, for the most part, are not needed.
3. THINK ABOUT OUR LIVES
(1) Write the inconvenience of modern society.
(2) Write down necessary goods in modern society except for food, clothing, shelter and fuel.
(3) If you went to Japan of 19th century, what would you bring? Why?
4. DISCUSSION
Select the best thing to bring to 19th century in your group.
5. SPEECH
Give a speech to other groups about the best thing and its reason.
(*) If you find a wrong or poor expression, let me know it.
I hope that we all can enjoy the practice.
Tadahiro, UESUGI