The Cellist of Sarajevo
By Jessica Li 2013
“The Cellist of Sarajevo”
▲ The music The music began, stealing into the hushed began, stealing into the hushed hall and creating a shadowy, empty universe.
hall and creating a shadowy, empty universe.
▲▲ Slowly the music grew into an agonized,Slowly the music grew into an agonized, screaming, and slashing furor,
screaming, and slashing furor, gripping us gripping us
all all before before subsiding into a hollow death rattle subsiding into a hollow death rattle and eventually,
and eventually, back to silence.back to silence.
ClimaxClimax ________
________ rising rising fallingfalling _________ _________
Exposition
Exposition resolution
resolution
Phrase and Vocabulary
∆ stealing into the hushed hall stealing into the hushed hall
---- sneaking into the tranquil hall quietly---- sneaking into the tranquil hall quietly
∆ ∆ shadowy, empty universeshadowy, empty universe
---- mysterious and secret universe---- mysterious and secret universe
∆ ∆ an agonized, and slashing furoran agonized, and slashing furor
---- such is the furor that it can cut sth in---- such is the furor that it can cut sth in a violent waya violent way
∆ ∆ gripping us allgripping us all
---- attracted all of us/ all of us ---- attracted all of us/ all of us were were intoxicated with intoxicated with the piece of musicthe piece of music
∆ subside (V) subside (V)
(1) become weaker, less violent(1) become weaker, less violent
Ex 1. The pain should subside in an hour. Ex 1. The pain should subside in an hour.
Ex 2. By morning, the storm had subsided.Ex 2. By morning, the storm had subsided.
(2) sinks to a lower level(2) sinks to a lower level
Ex. With the over pumping of undergroundEx. With the over pumping of underground
water, the buildings on the site are water, the buildings on the site are
likely to collapse in years because thelikely to collapse in years because the
land will subside as a result.land will subside as a result.
∆ subsiding into a hollow death rattle∆ subsiding into a hollow death rattle
---- the music became weaker and ended ---- the music became weaker and ended up with a short, sharp knocking sound as ifup with a short, sharp knocking sound as if a dying person let out a short, sharp crya dying person let out a short, sharp cry with the his shaking body.with the his shaking body.
∆ ∆ rattle rattle
(1) (V) make short, sharp knocking sound (1) (V) make short, sharp knocking sound
as sth moves or shakesas sth moves or shakes
Ex. The house shook and the door andEx. The house shook and the door and
windows rattled.windows rattled.
(2) (N) a short, sharp knocking sound(2) (N) a short, sharp knocking sound
Paragraph I
▲ The performance The performance on the opening night on the opening night consists of/ is comprised of / is composed of
consists of/ is comprised of / is composed of workworkss for for the unaccompanied cello.the unaccompanied cello.
∆
∆ accompany (V) keep sb company/ accompany (V) keep sb company/ 伴奏伴奏 / /
to come along with sthto come along with sth Ex. A skin rash may be accompanied by Ex. A skin rash may be accompanied by
fever.fever.
▲ (On the stage) On the stage) waswas (a solitary chair.)(a solitary chair.) --- (A solitary chair)--- (A solitary chair) was ( was on the stage) on the stage) ∆ ∆ a solitary/ a solitary/ solesole chair chair
▲ music standmusic stand
▲▲ conductor’s podium conductor’s podium
Paragraph II
▲ distribute (V) distribution (N)distribute (V) distribution (N)
Ex1. Medical supplies and daily necessities Ex1. Medical supplies and daily necessities are being distributed to the victims in the are being distributed to the victims in the typhoon-stricken areas.typhoon-stricken areas.
Ex2. Backpacks are believed to distributeEx2. Backpacks are believed to distribute more pressure on the back than shoulder more pressure on the back than shoulder bags.bags.
Ex3. The distribution of rainfalls is so Ex3. The distribution of rainfalls is so uneven that some regions suffer from uneven that some regions suffer from severe droughts while some suffer from severe droughts while some suffer from tremendous floods.tremendous floods.
▲ ▲ war-torn city war-torn city
--- a city that was devastated by war--- a city that was devastated by war
▲▲ Flesh, blood, bone Flesh, blood, bone and rubble and rubble were were splatteredsplattered over the over the city.city.
Paragraph III
▲ ▲ ((Not far away) Not far away) livedlived (a distinguished (a distinguished cellist
cellist
named Vedran Samailovic.)named Vedran Samailovic.)
∆ ∆ a a distinguished/ famous distinguished/ famous cellist cellist
▲▲ No soonerNo sooner hadhad he he seenseen the massacre the massacre outside his window outside his window thanthan a feeling of a feeling of anguish anguish overwhelmedoverwhelmed him. him.
--- He --- He had seen had seen the massacre outside histhe massacre outside his window window no sooner than no sooner than a feeling of a feeling of
anguish anguish overwhelmedoverwhelmed him. him.
--- --- As soon as As soon as he he sawsaw the massacre the massacre
outside his window, a feeling of anguish outside his window, a feeling of anguish overwhelmedoverwhelmed him. him.
--- --- UponUpon seeingseeing the massacre outside his the massacre outside his window, a feeling of anguish window, a feeling of anguish
overwhelmedoverwhelmed him. him.
∆
∆ No sooner No sooner hadhad S+ S+ PPPP thanthan S + S + Ved.Ved.
Ex.Ex. No sooner No sooner had I explained had I explained my failure my failure to complete the task on timeto complete the task on time thanthan my my
bossboss stormed away. stormed away.
▲ a feeling of anguish a feeling of anguish overwhelmedoverwhelmed him. him.
---- he ---- he felt extremely sorrowful felt extremely sorrowful for the for the massacre/ brutal killing of human lives.massacre/ brutal killing of human lives.
∆ ∆ overwhelm (V) overwhelm (V)
(1) affect sb in a very powerful way(1) affect sb in a very powerful way
Ex. Helen’s extraordinary beauty Ex. Helen’s extraordinary beauty
overwhelmed Prince Paris.overwhelmed Prince Paris.
(2) to surprise sb a lot(2) to surprise sb a lot
Ex. We were overwhelmed the Ex. We were overwhelmed the
unexpected result.unexpected result.
(3) to exist in great numbers(3) to exist in great numbers
Ex. She was overwhelmed by great Ex. She was overwhelmed by great
expenses.expenses.
(4) to defeat(4) to defeat
Ex. The government troops have Ex. The government troops have
overwhelmed a rebel encampment.overwhelmed a rebel encampment.
∆
∆ overwhelming (a) larger, strongeroverwhelming (a) larger, stronger
Ex. An overwhelming majority votedEx. An overwhelming majority voted
against his proposal.against his proposal.
▲ ▲ resolve (V)resolve (V) (1) to solve(1) to solve
Ex. The crisis was resolved by Ex. The crisis was resolved by
negotiation.negotiation.
(2) to make a formal/firm decision(2) to make a formal/firm decision
Ex. The committee resolved to review Ex. The committee resolved to review
the overall spending.the overall spending.
∆
∆ resolve (n) = resolution/ resolve (n) = resolution/
firm determinationfirm determination
Ex. The minister vowed the issue of Ex. The minister vowed the issue of
adulterated oils would not weaken hisadulterated oils would not weaken his
resolve to impose food security resolve to impose food security
measures.measures.
Paragraph IV
▲ ▲ --- and walked out of his apartment into --- and walked out of his apartment into the midst of the midst of the battle the battle ragingraging around him. around him.
--- He put himself in the battlefield.--- He put himself in the battlefield.
∆
∆ rage (V) to continue with a lot of forcerage (V) to continue with a lot of force
Ex. Outside the shelter, the storm raged Ex. Outside the shelter, the storm raged
on for days.on for days.
▲ ▲ he played ---he played ---mournful and haunting mournful and haunting pieces in his repertoire.pieces in his repertoire.
---- The pieces sound so sorrowful that ---- The pieces sound so sorrowful that they would be always on people’s mind.they would be always on people’s mind.
▲▲ He He played to played to the the abandonedabandoned streets, streets, smashedsmashed trucks, and ----, trucks, and ----, and to and to the the terrifiedterrified people----. people----.
▲ ▲ WithWith masonry masonry explodingexploding around him, he around him, he courageously courageously fought for fought for human dignity, human dignity, forfor those who had those who had been lost to war,been lost to war, forfor civilization, civilization, forfor compassion, compassion, and for and for
peace.peace.
Paragraph V
▲ After newspaper After newspaper picked up the story picked up the story ---, ---, an English composer named David Wilde an English composer named David Wilde was was so moved that so moved that he wrote a he wrote a compositioncomposition ---entitled/ which was entitled entitled/ which was entitled “The Cellist“The Cellist of Sarajevo,” of Sarajevo,” into which into which he he pouredpoured --- ---
outrage and love and brotherhood outrage and love and brotherhood ---.---.
∆
∆ pour A into B pour A into B
Paragraph VII
▲▲ When Ma had finished, he When Ma had finished, he remained bent remained bent overover his cello, his cello, withwith his bow his bow restingresting onon the the
strings.
strings.
▲ ▲ It It waswas as though as though we we had witnessed
had witnessed the the massacre ourselves.
massacre ourselves.
(( 與過去相反的假設與過去相反的假設 ))
▲ Ma stood up,----, Ma stood up,----, stretched out stretched out his handhis hand,, beckoning/signaling
beckoning/signaling someone someone toto come ---- come ----
▲▲An indescribable feeling An indescribable feeling swept over us swept over us as as we realized who it was ---.
we realized who it was ---.
Ex. A realization swept over Lora when she Ex. A realization swept over Lora when she
found the missing necklace in her best found the missing necklace in her best
friend’s drawer.
friend’s drawer.
Paragraph VIII
▲ Samilovic Samilovic rose from his seat rose from his seat and and walked walked down the aisle
down the aisle, and Ma , and Ma left the stage to left the stage to meet him
meet him. . (details about people’s acts)(details about people’s acts)
▲▲Everyone Everyone erupted in erupted in chaotic, emotional chaotic, emotional excitement
excitement ---- ---- clapping, shouting, andclapping, shouting, and cheering.
cheering. (details about people’s acts)(details about people’s acts)
▲ Yo Yo Ma, an elegant cellilst of classic Yo Yo Ma, an elegant cellilst of classic music, flawless in appearance and
music, flawless in appearance and performance,
performance, and Vedran Samilovic, dressedand Vedran Samilovic, dressed in a stained, tattered leather motorcycle
in a stained, tattered leather motorcycle Jacket.
Jacket.
---- The striking contrast between them can’t ---- The striking contrast between them can’t
affect their brotherhood.
affect their brotherhood.
▲ His His wild, long hairwild, long hair and and huge mustache huge mustache framed a face
framed a face that looked old beyond his that looked old beyond his Years,
Years, soakedsoaked with tears with tears and lined and lined with pain.with pain.
---- The face was soaked with tears shedding ---- The face was soaked with tears shedding
for the victims in the war, and was lined with for the victims in the war, and was lined with
wrinkles caused by sufferings.
wrinkles caused by sufferings.
▲▲ Now that Now that we had encountered the man, we had encountered the man, who had shaken his cello like a fist
who had shaken his cello like a fist in the face in the face ofof bomb ----, bomb ----, we were all stripped down to we were all stripped down to
our deepest humanity.( What does this line our deepest humanity.( What does this line
mean ?) mean ?)
---- We removed all of our disguise and ---- We removed all of our disguise and revealed our deepest humanity, the
revealed our deepest humanity, the compassion for others’ sufferings.
compassion for others’ sufferings.
∆ ∆ strip down (V) to remove clothesstrip down (V) to remove clothes
Ex. The mischievous stripped down to his Ex. The mischievous stripped down to his underwear and jumped into the pool to underwear and jumped into the pool to enjoy the cool water.enjoy the cool water.
Paragraph IX
▲ ▲ It was It was then then thatthat I realized that music is a I realized that music is a gift that we all share equally.
gift that we all share equally.
---- Music is without boundary.
---- Music is without boundary.
▲▲ ----, especially ----, especially when we need it most--- when we need it most--- and expect it least.
and expect it least.
---- Vedran Smailovic is the only person to ---- Vedran Smailovic is the only person to
play music in the battlefield to soothe play music in the battlefield to soothe
people’s sorrow and pain.
people’s sorrow and pain.
