Top 5 Best Interpretations of Sentence Meaning (Literature 11)

Lesson Content

- Sentence meaning consists of: the meaning of the event and the modal meaning.

- The event meaning of a sentence refers to the meaning related to the events mentioned in the sentence.

- Event meaning and modal meaning should always go hand in hand, complementing each other.

Lesson Guide

1. Two Components of Sentence Meaning

a. Analyze the data (Textbook page 6)

- Common events discussed:

+ Sentence pairs a1 and a2: Both mention Chí Phèo's past dream of having a small family.

+ Sentence pairs b1 and b2: Discuss the idea that people are also agreeable.

- Beyond the general information:

+ Sentence a1: Shows that Chí Phèo once thought about a family but is unsure, as indicated by the modal word "perhaps".

+ Sentence a2: Refers to an event that happened in the past.

+ Sentence b1: Represents a subjective judgment but conveys trust.

+ Sentence b2: Only mentions the event straightforwardly.

b. Conclusion after comparison:

- Each sentence typically has two components: event meaning and modal meaning.

- Event meaning and modal meaning should always accompany each other and enrich each other's meaning, except in cases of exclamatory sentences.

2. Event Meaning

- Event meaning is also known as descriptive meaning. It refers to the part of the sentence that relates to the event being mentioned.

- How event meaning is expressed:

+ Through actions.

+ Through states, characteristics, or traits.

+ Through processes.

+ Through posture.

+ Through existence.

+ Through relationships.

- Event meaning in sentences is often shown through elements such as the subject, predicate, adverbial, and other auxiliary components.

Practice

Sentence 1 (Textbook page 9, part 2)

- Line 1: "The cold autumn pond, water crystal clear".

Event meaning: Two states: Cold pond and clear water.

- Line 2: "A tiny fishing boat".

Event meaning: Description of the fishing boat (small and frail).

- Lines 3, 4: "Blue waves ripple gently, yellow leaves flutter in the wind".

Event meaning: A process (waves ripple, leaves flutter).

- Line 5: "Floating clouds, deep blue sky".

Event meaning: Process (clouds float), characteristic (sky is deep blue).

- Line 6: "Curved bamboo lane, deserted".

Event meaning: Describes features (bamboo lane is curved), state (deserted).

- Line 7: "Leaning on the cushion, the fishing pole dropped".

Event meaning: Describes posture (leaning, dropping the pole).

- Line 8: "Fish nibbles under the water".

Event meaning: Describes action (fish nibbles).

Sentence 2 (Textbook page 9, part 2)

a.

- Event meaning: Talks about Xuân tóc đỏ, a character in the novel "Số đỏ" by Vũ Trọng Phụng.

- Modal meaning: The words "mention", "really", "worthy" show a cautious yet somewhat sarcastic evaluation of Xuân's character.

b.

- Event meaning: The jailer thinks that he and the scribe chose the wrong profession.

- Modal meaning: The word "perhaps" indicates uncertainty in the choice of profession.

c. Two event meanings and two modal meanings

- Event meaning 1: "They are just as uncertain as I am".

- Modal meaning 1: A tentative attitude.

- Event meaning 2: "I’m not sure if my daughter is bad".

- Modal meaning 2: The words "certainly", "right", and "even" emphasize uncertain guesses.

Sentence 3 (Textbook page 9, part 2)

Many good qualities are mentioned, such as: recognizing noble spirit, feeling regret, respecting talent, and confirming that the person is not bad.

Choosing the word "certainly" is a suitable modal word, representing a definite, decisive affirmation.

Part I

THE TWO COMPONENTS OF SENTENCE MEANING

Question 1 (Page 6, 11th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2)

a1) It seems that at one time, he dreamed of having a small family.

(Nam Cao, Chí Phèo)

a2) At one time, he dreamed of having a small family.

b1) If I speak, people will likely agree...

(Vũ Trọng Phụng, Số đỏ)

b2) If I speak, people will agree...

- What common event do both sentences in each pair refer to?

- Besides the event, what do you observe?

+ Which sentence expresses uncertainty about the event?

+ Which sentence expresses a high level of certainty about the event?

+ Which sentence shows a neutral or ordinary perception of the event?

Detailed Explanation:

a. Sentences a1 + a2:

- Similar: Both sentences refer to the same event: Chí Phèo once dreamed of having a small family.

- Different:

+ Sentence a1: Includes a level of uncertainty about the event (the word "seems").

+ Sentence a2: Simply mentions the event as if it happened.

b. Sentences b1 + b2:

- Similar: Both refer to the event: "People will agree".

- Different:

+ Sentence b1: Expresses the speaker's subjective evaluation of the event's outcome.

+ Sentence b2: Simply states the event.

Practice Exercise

Question 1 (Page 9, 11th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2)

Analyze the meaning of each sentence in the following poem:

"The autumn pond is cold, the water clear,"

"A tiny fishing boat, small and frail."

"The blue waves ripple, barely moving,"

"Yellow leaves flutter gently in the wind."

"The floating clouds hover in the bright sky,"

"The winding bamboo path, visitors nowhere in sight."

"Leaning on the armrest, unable to cast the line,"

"Where are the fish, moving beneath the lily pads?"

Answer:

- Line 1: The meaning describes two states (the autumn pond being cold, the water being clear).

- Line 2: The meaning describes the feature of the fishing boat (the boat being small and frail).

- Lines 3 and 4: The meaning describes a process (waves rippling, leaves fluttering).

- Line 5: The meaning describes a process (clouds floating) and a feature (the sky being clear).

- Line 6: The meaning describes a feature (the bamboo path being winding) and a state (no visitors).

- Line 7: The meaning describes positions (leaning on the armrest, unable to cast the line).

- Line 8: The meaning describes an action (fish moving).

Question 2 (Page 5, 11th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2)

Separate the event meaning and mood meaning in the following sentences:

a) There is a man like Xuân who is certainly of high status, but also quite frightening.

(Vũ Trọng Phụng, Số đỏ)

b) Perhaps he, like me, has chosen the wrong career.

(Nguyễn Tuân, Chữ người tử tù)

c) They might be confused like me, because even I don't know whether my daughter is truly bad or not!

(Vũ Trọng Phụng, Số đỏ)

Answer:

a.

- Event meaning: Describing Xuân.

- Mood meaning: Acknowledging his high status but also implying something unsettling.

b.

- Event meaning: The prison warden thinks about his career choice and the clerk's career choice.

- Mood meaning: Expressing uncertainty, as it's a mere possibility about the wrong career choice.

c. This sentence has two event meanings and two mood meanings:

- Event 1: They might be confused like me => Expresses an uncertain attitude ("maybe" = "perhaps").

- Event 2: I don't know whether my daughter is good or bad.

= Expression of doubt emphasized with three modal words ("even I don't").

Question 3 (Page 5, 11th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2)

Select the most appropriate word to complete the sentence so that it expresses both the event and the mood meaning correctly:

Answer:

To complete the blank in the sentence: "A person who respects others' honor, regrets, and values talented people... cannot be evil or indifferent," the most fitting word is a strong affirmative modal word, so we should choose the word 'certainly'.

I. Two Components of Sentence Meaning

The two sentences mentioned refer to Chí Phèo's desire for a small family.

- Difference: one expresses uncertainty about the event.

+ Sentence a1 includes uncertainty about the event.

+ Sentence a2 presents the event as having already occurred.

Sentences b1 and b2:

- Similar: both discuss the idea of "people agreeing".

- Difference:

+ Sentence b1 reveals the speaker's subjective evaluation of the event's outcome.

+ Sentence b2 simply states the event.

II. Event Meaning

The event meaning of a sentence corresponds to the meaning of the event it refers to. The reality in the event is objective and diverse, belonging to various types.

EXERCISES

Exercise 1 (Page 9, Grade 11 Literature Textbook):

Sentence 1: depicts an event (the state of the autumn pond, clear and cold).

Sentence 2: describes an event—characteristic (the image of the small boat on the pond).

Sentence 3: depicts a process (waves rippling).

Sentence 4: depicts a process (leaves fluttering).

Sentence 5: depicts an event—a process (the floating clouds) and a characteristic (the blue sky).

Sentence 6: depicts two events—one process (the winding bamboo path) and one characteristic (the absence of visitors).

Sentence 7: depicts two events—positions (sitting and fishing).

Sentence 8: depicts an event—action (the fish biting).

Exercise 2 (Page 9, Grade 11 Literature Textbook):

The meaning of the event refers to Xuân Tóc Đỏ (in the novel *Số Đỏ* by Vũ Trọng Phụng).

The modal meaning: with a sarcastic tone about Xuân Tóc Đỏ, a man with a name but no real value, having fame but being fearsome.

The meaning of the event: the prison warden’s thoughts about his and his subordinate’s career choices.

The modal meaning: it expresses a mere possibility, not a certainty, about choosing the wrong profession.

c. Event meaning: they are uncertain, just like me—> a speculative attitude, unsure (perhaps, maybe).

+ I don't even know if my daughter is corrupt.

Modal meaning: disbelief, doubt about one's own child.

Exercise 3 (Page 9, Grade 11 Literature Textbook):

The speaker mentions several good qualities (honoring bravery, regretting, respecting the talented), and concludes that such a person is not bad.

For the event meaning, only a decisive mood word fits here, which is why the word "definitely" is appropriate.

I. Two Components of Sentence Meaning

Exercise 1 (Page 6, Grade 11 Literature Textbook, Volume 2):

Both sentences in each pair address the same event. Sentence a1 uses "seems to" to show uncertainty, while sentence a2 presents the event with higher confidence.

- Sentence a1 has the word "seems to" to indicate uncertainty.

- Sentence a2 expresses a higher degree of certainty.

Sentences b1 and b2:

- Sentence b1 conveys trust in the event, while sentence b2 simply mentions the event.

II. Event Meaning

Exercise

Sentence 1 (Page 9, Grade 11 Literature Textbook):

- Sentence 1: Event.

- Sentence 2: Event—characteristic.

- Sentence 3: Event—process.

- Sentence 4: Event—process.

- Sentence 5: State—characteristic.

- Sentence 6: Characteristic—modal meaning.

- Sentence 7: Position.

- Sentence 8: Event—action.

Sentence 2 (Page 9, Grade 11 Literature Textbook):

a. The event meaning refers to Xuân Tóc Đỏ (from the novel *Số Đỏ* by Vũ Trọng Phụng).
Modal meaning: sarcastically describing Xuân Tóc Đỏ, a man with a name but no true worth, who is both famous and frightening.
b. Event meaning: the prison warden reflects on the choice of career for himself and his assistant.
Modal meaning: expresses a tentative possibility about the wrong career choice, not yet certain.
c. Event meaning: they hesitate like I do—> speculative attitude, unsure (perhaps, maybe).
+ I don't know for sure if my daughter is misbehaving.
Modal meaning: doubt and mistrust about one's own child.

Sentence 3 (Page 9, Grade 11 Literature Textbook):

- Solution 3.

I. Two Elements of Sentence Meaning

(Page 6, Vietnamese Literature 11, Volume 2): In each pair of sentences...

- In pair a1 and a2: both sentences discuss Chí Phèo's past desire for a small family. However, sentence a1 expresses uncertainty about the event, while a2 states it more definitively, as though it has already occurred.

- In pair b1 and b2: both sentences express that people are willing, but b1 shows confidence in the event's occurrence, while b2 presents a more neutral perspective.

II. Event Meaning

The event meaning of a sentence refers to the part that corresponds to the event being described.

Exercise

Sentence 1 (Page 9, Vietnamese Literature 11, Volume 2):

- Sentence 1: the event meaning depicts two states (the chilly autumn pond and the crystal-clear water).

- Sentence 2: the event meaning describes a characteristic of a boat (the boat – very small).

- Sentences 3 and 4: the event meaning shows a process (waves – ripple; leaves – flutter).

- Sentence 5: the event meaning includes a process (clouds – floating) and a characteristic (the sky – very blue).

- Sentence 6: the event meaning includes a characteristic (the winding bamboo path) and a state (the few visitors).

- Sentence 7: the event meaning describes positions (leaning on the pillow, holding the fishing rod).

- Sentence 8: the event meaning describes an action (the fish – bites).

Sentence 2 (Page 9, Vietnamese Literature 11, Volume 2):

a.

- Event meaning: Xuân is a person of high status, yet somewhat intimidating.

- Modal meaning: cautious attitude when evaluating Xuân, expressed through words like "telling", "really", and "scary".

b.

- Event meaning: both individuals chose the wrong profession.

- Modal meaning: an uncertain assumption about the situation, expressed by the word "perhaps".

c. Two events and two modal meanings:

- First event: "They are also unsure like me".

- Modal meaning: The event is tentatively assumed.

- Second event: "I don’t even know if my daughter is misbehaving".

- Modal meaning: The speaker emphasizes with words like "actually", "directly", and "even".

Sentence 3 (Page 9, Vietnamese Literature 11, Volume 2):

The speaker refers to multiple positive traits (knowing how to admire courage, how to regret, how to value talent) that suggest the person is not bad.

In line with the event meaning, this must be a declarative modal expression, so the word "certainly" should be used.