Unit 12

The Courage of Ones Convictions

I. Introducing the topic. Answer the following questions:
1. Have you ever told a lie only because telling the truth would have got you into trouble?
2. Have you ever flattered a teacher/ a relative to gain an advantage or to avoid punishment?
3. Do you agree/ disagree with the saying Better a living rat than a dead lion?
4. Can you think of recent times in Romanian history when people had to live up to their beliefs at the
cost of their freedom/life?
II.1 After having watched A Man for All Seasons, listen to the relevant section again and fill in the
blanks with the appropriate words/phrases:
Roper: Meg's under (1)_____________ to persuade you. []
Thomas More: You want me to swear to the Act of Succession?
Margaret: "God more regards the thoughts of the (2)_________ than the words of the mouth." Or so
you've always told me.
Th. More: Yes.
Margaret: Then say the words of the oath and in your heart think (3) ___________.
More: What is an oath then but words we say to God? [] When a man takes an oath, Meg, hes
(4)_________________ in his own hands. Like water. (He cups his hands.) And if he opens his fingers then
he neednt hope to find himself again. Some men arent capable of this, but Id be loathe to think your
father one of them.
Margaret: I have another (5)____________ .
Th. More: Oh, Meg.
Margaret: In any State that was half good, you would be (6)___________ high, not here, for what youve
done already. Its not your fault the States three-quarters bad. Then if you elect to suffer for it, you
(7)___________ yourself a hero.
Th. More: Thats very neat. But look now ... If we lived in a State where virtue was profitable,
(8)_______________ would make us good, and greed would make us saintly. And wed live like animals or
angels in the happy land that needs no heroes. But since in fact we see that
(9)________________________ , pride, sloth, lust and stupidity commonly profit far beyond humility,
chastity, fortitude, justice and thought, and have ___________ , to be human at all ... why then perhaps we
must stand fast a little even at the risk of being heroes.
Margaret: But (10)_____________ ! Haven't you done as much as God can reasonably want?
Th. More: Well, finally it isn't a matter of reason. Finally, it's a matter of love.
II.2 Discuss the following questions:
1. How do you regard Thomas Mores decision not to swear to the Act of Succession?
2. How do you interpret his last words in the passage quoted above?
3. Do you share C. S. Lewis belief that courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every
virtue at the testing point?
4. Can you think of situations when public acts of courage are required in a free democratic society?
III. Read the following conversations with a partner, noting the underlined expressions. Then answer
the questions.
Conversation 1
Rafael: Hey, Jeff. Are you busy?
Jeff:
No. Whats up?
Rafael: Sorry for missing your party last night. I just had too much to do. I have to write a paper for class,
and it takes me a really long time.
Jeff:
Oh, thats too bad! Would you like me to read your paper? I could check your English.
Rafael: That would be great! Thanks!

Jeff:

No problem.

Conversation 2
Rafael:
Excuse me, Dr. Barker. Do you have a moment?
Dr. Barker: Of course, Rafael. Come in. What can I do for you?
Rafael:
Im really sorry that I missed the lecture yesterday. I had to study for a test in another class.
Dr. Barker: Thats unfortunate. I covered some important topics in the lecture.
Rafael:
Is there anything I can do?
Dr. Barker: You could borrow lecture notes from one of your classmates. And read Chapter 3 in this book.
It has a good summary.
Rafael:
Thank you for your help.
Dr. Barker: Dont mention it.
III.1 What is the difference between the two conversations?
III.2 What is the reason for this difference?
III.3 Write the expressions from Conversation 2 that have the same meanings.
1. Are you busy?
__________________
4. Thats too bad. ____________________
2. Whats up?
__________________
5. Thanks.
____________________
3. Sorry for missing __________________
6. No problem. ____________________
IV. Work with a partner to make this conversation more polite.
Student: Hi, Ms. Cole. Are you doing anything?
Teacher: No. What do you want?
Student: I couldnt understand your lecture today.
Teacher: Well, I dont have time to explain now. Come back at 4:00.
Student: Ok.
Teacher: Bye now.
Student: Bye-bye.
Student: __________________________________________________________
Teacher: __________________________________________________________
Student: __________________________________________________________
Teacher: __________________________________________________________
Student: __________________________________________________________
Teacher: __________________________________________________________
Student: __________________________________________________________
(taken from K.L. Johannsen, English for the Humanities, Thomson ELT, Boston, 2006)