A Summers Reading Essays - Anti-social Behaviour, Human Behavior

A Summers Reading Essays - Anti-social Behaviour, Human Behavior English A Summers Reading Respect is a very dominant and important factor in the story of Bernard Malamud, A Summers Reading. The reach for respect from the people around him causes a lot of dilemma within the main character, George Stoyonovic. And those dilemmas led to consequences that George hated. George, a high school drop out, can not get any job during one summer. He decides to read the magazines found at home. But when he met Mr. Cattanzara, he immediately lies about the hundred books he is reading, in order for Mr. Cattanzara to respect him as well as to be proud of him. Respect is a form of acknowledgement of ones existence. Respect is very important to everybody. Respect also gives a person a sense of confidence that he is not a failure and contradicts the idea that he is not good enough. People want respect because they want others to know how good they are. Though everybody wants it, most people often take it for granted. The irony of it all is that people wants it so much that they would do anything just to get it. In the story, the theme Respect is very important for everybody was shown a couple of times. An example of these scenes is when George was contemplating whether or not he should attend the night classes. He has considered registering in a night high school, only he did not like the idea of teachers always telling him what to do. He felt that they had not respected him. He decides that since he has nothing to do at home, attending night-class would be great and it would help him catch up on the lessons he has missed. But that the idea of teachers telling him what to do causes George to think twice. He thinks that when his teachers tell him what to do or should not do it shows a lack of respect on the teachers part. He then feels that he is not good enough and loses confidence in himself. But in reality, when people tell you what to do, it means that they are concerned about you and that they know that you can do better but it does not really mean that you are not good enough as a person. They are actually acknowledging your abilities and your capabilities which also acknowledge your existence. George searches for respect because it is where he gets the confidence that will enable him to move on forward with his life. Another instance in the story where it shows respect is very important is when George tells Mr. Cattanzara that he is reading a hundred books for the summer. He wants Mr. Cattanzara to respect him that he is willing to lie in order to achieve that respect. He wants Mr. Cattanzara that to know that he is more than just a boy who dropped out of school and who can not get a decent job. And that he can also do things which people around him can be proud of. When he found out that his neighbors knew what he was doing for the summer, George instantly became confident that he is not a nobody anymore in the community. People in his community respect him now. But what did George do with the respect shown to him? He did not fulfill his end of the bargain. He thinks that being respected is enough already but he must learn that he should walk the talk. He must do what he says he will do because if the people finds out that he is just pure talk and no concrete actions are being done, people will start to doubt him and eventually George will lose the respect that his neighbors gave him. Ultimately, Mr. Cattanzara senses that George was not telling him the whole truth. He knew that George really did not finish reading all those books as what he has said he has done. Maybe the reason why Mr. Cattanzara did not told the others about Georges lie is because he knows that George did not want to lose the admiration that the people has for him. And he thought that

ESL Beginner Reading Comprehension Cooking Dialogue

ESL Beginner Reading Comprehension Cooking Dialogue In this dialogue, you will practice speaking about daily routines by focusing on cooking. Notice that the present simple is used to speak about daily routines. Adverbs of frequency tell us how often we do something and include usually, sometimes, never, etc.. Practice the dialogue with your partner and then interview each other about how you do certain tasks you enjoy. Cooking (At a friends house) Carol: This is a lovely house!Martha: Thank you. Carol, we call it home. Carol: Its very close to work, isnt it?Martha: Yes, it is. I always walk to work - even when it rains! Carol: I usually take the bus. It takes so long!Martha: How long does it take? Carol: Oh, it takes about 20 minutes.Martha: That is a long time. Well, have some cake. Carol: (taking a bite of some cake) this is delicious! Do you bake all of your own cakes?Martha: Yes, I usually bake something at the weekend. I like having sweets in the house. Carol: Youre a wonderful cook!Martha: Thank you, its nothing really. Carol: I never cook. Im just hopeless. My husband, David, usually does all the cooking.Martha: Do you often go out to eat? Carol: Yes, when he doesnt have time to cook, we go out to eat somewhere.Martha: There are some wonderful restaurants in the city. Carol: Too many! You can eat at a different restaurant every day. Monday - Chinese, Tuesday - Italian, Wednesday - Mexican, on and on ... Check your understanding with this multiple choice comprehension quiz. More Dialogue Practice - Includes level and target structures/language functions for each dialogue.