Macbeth

This story of Macbeth is retold from William Shakepeare's play of the same name. It teels of Macbeth and his wife who, in their greed for power, add to the violence already prevalent in the kingdom of Scotland, and as a result disturb the peace in their own lives. One day when Macbeth and Banquo went back from the battle. They met three witches who told Macbeth that he would become the King with fearful voice. After that, Macbeth's seeds of ambition had already been sown because he wanted the crown. Lady Macbeth who loved power encouraged his husband to kill the King when he was asleep. Finally, They killed the King of Scotland, Duncan. Macbeth lost his peace and he was killed on the battlefield in the end.

Vocabulary:
1. revolt (v.) : to take violent action against the people in power 反叛
2. mocking (adj.) : showing that you think sb/ sth is ridiculous 嘲弄的
3. proposition (n.) : a thing that you intend to do; a problem or task to be dealt with 欲做的事；任务
4.shrieked (n.) : to say sth in a loud, high voice 尖声说
5. tremble (v.) : to shake slightly 颤动；轻轻摇晃

Comment:
I think the greedy mind will not give us happiness. The crown which Macbeth desires is the main reason to make him do the decision to kill the King, Duncan. His hand is full of fresh blood of the one whom he kills. He regrets and feel scary after his doings. All his regrets are too late because he has done something merciless and unfeeling to the King who trusts him very much. We should make sure that our decision is the correct one and don't to do something that isn't a human's will do. Our decision is the most important. It can affect us in our life. I think the main thing that this book 'told' us to do is to 'protect' the peace.

The Asoka Pillar

This is a story of a king whose enormous crime converted him into a great campaigner for peace. The Asoka pillar stands in Sarnath, near the city of Benaras in India. It is a stone pillar on which is inscribed the laws of government which Emperor Asoka had laid down. These laws preached non-violence and peace. On top of this pillar rest three carved stone lions.

Vocabulary:
1. military (n.) : soldiers 军人
2. conquer (v.) : to take control of a country or city and its people by force 占领
3. dynasty (n.) : a siries of rulers of a country who all belong to the same family 朝代；王朝
4. preach (v.) : to give a religious talk in a public place, especially in a church during a service 讲道
5. victorious (adj.) : having won a victory; that ends in victory 胜利的
6. campaigner (n.) : a person who leads or takes part in a campaign, especially one for political or social change （尤指政治或社会变革的）运动领导者
7. convert (v.) : to change or make something change from one form, purpose, system, etc. to another （使）转变

Comment:

In the beginning, Asoka was a fierce military leader. He always lead the soldiers when they are in battle. In the battle, he killed a lot of peoples and took a lot of peoples as prisoners. Finally, he realised his how great his crime was after he had looked the dead bodies lying on the battlefield. He turned from Hindu to the teachings of Buddhists. After that, he knew the importance of non-violence and the respect to all forms of life. He learned about 'peace'. He has changed his behaviours. So, I think the one who do the wrongs then confess should be forgive.

A Tale of Two Cities

This story was setted in France during the time of the French Revolution, this retold extract from Charles Dicken's terrible tale of violence teaches us that if the rich are unfeeling and arrogant, they will never have any peace.It is about the Marquis of Evremonde who was a proud man treated poor people badly like they were rats that needed to be killed anyway. Once, he threw out to the crowd a gold coin, as though paying for some object that he broke after a child had been knocke down and killed under his carriage. People hated and feared the rich noblemen of France. Finally, they decided to take revenge. 

Vocabulary:
1. trample (v.) : to ignore somebody's feelings or rights and treat them as if they are not important 践踏
2. filth (n.) : any very dirty and unpleasant substance 污物
3. alight (v.) : to get out of a bus, a train or other vehicle 从（公共汽车，火车等）下来
4. defiance (n.) : open refusal to obey something or somebody 违抗
5. nobleman (n.) : a person from a family of high social rank 出生高贵的人
6. fountain (n.) : a structure from which water is pumped up into the air, found as an ornament in parks and gardens/ yards 人工喷泉
7. bloodthirsty (adj.) : wanting to kill or wound; enjoying seeing or hearing about killing and violence 嗜杀成性的；喜好看（或听）凶杀与暴力的
8. grievance (n.) : something that you think is unfair and that you complain or protest about 不平的事；委屈；抱怨；牢骚
9. oppressed (adj.) : treated in a cruel and unfair way and not given the same freedom, rights, etc. as other people 被迫害的
10. establish (v.) : to start or create an organization, a system, etc. that is meant to last for a long time 建立

Comment:
People who is proud will be unliked. The Marquis only think about himself like he is the most important person and the others are just rats or dogs or the other animal. He does not treat the poor people as a human because he just throw out the money to the poor one after the child was 'killed by his carriage'. All their behaviours are the main reason that cause the peoples who hate them very much to take revenge on them. Then, 'The French Revolution' continues for three years after the attack on the Bastille.