12.4 Chapter One Literary Patriotic Duke

Part 1

In this chapter, the author explained why his favorite poet is Su Tungpo and pointed out two reasons why Su Tungpo today stands out more sharply and fully etched against his life and writings than that of any other Chinese writer.

Part 2 Sentences:

1. From the natural flow of thoughts and language arises its wayward, abundant charm.

2. A man's life is like a drama, and we can judge a drama only when the curtain drops.

Part 3

1. There is a current Chinese saying that final judgment upon a man is possible only when the cover is nailed on his coffin.

a nail in sb's/sth's coffin  导致失败的事物；导致某事终结之物，此处的the cover is nailed on his coffin意为“盖棺论定”

e.g: It is anxious to nail a coffin.

2. Su Tungpo the poet and human philosopher pitted his common sense against the logic of Wang Anshih the economist, and the lesson he taught and China paid for we still have not learned today.

pit sb/sth against sth 使竞争；使较量；使经受考验

e.g:  An aggressive person would like to pit his wits against the best.

3. One of his grandchildren, Su Fu, was given a high office in consideration of his illustrious grandfather.

given a high office 赐封高官

e.g: This capable administrator was given a high office