Back to school 1. Overview This text is entitled “Back to school”. It was written by Richard Wright and published in 1937. The story is told in the 1st person so it’s an autobiography. The passage was taken from Black Boy, a novel. There are two main characters : Richard and her teachers. The others characters are Richard’s classmates. Richard is so shy that it’s impossible for him to write his name on the blackboard. 2. Zoom in Giggle : rire sottement Titter : pleurnicher Stiffen : se raider Coax : encourager Flush : pâlir Confidence : confiance Shoulder : épaule Whisper : chuchoter Lever : lift Vide : void Échouer : fail Faible : weak Pencher/appuyer : lean Front : forehead Éclater : burst Richard was so shy that he froze inside; he flushed. The teacher was so supportive that she gave Richard confidence. The students were so immature that Richard began to titter.  On his first day back to school, the teacher sent Richard to the blackboard in order for him to write his name. He knew how to write his name, but being in front of the class made him freeze inside and he was unable to write a single letter.  The teacher asked him to try. So he lifted his piece of chalk but his mind went blank. Someone giggled and the children began to titter. The teacher rose and walked to Richard’s side to give him confidence.  At the end, Richard turned to the blackboard once again and he tried to collect his senses but he could remember nothing. He realized that he was failing and he grew weak. The class burst into laughter. Translate into English Il est si timide qu’il n’arrive pas à écrire son nom  He is so shy that he can’t write his name Ses camarades étaient si méchants qu’ils le firent pleurer  His classmates are so mean that they made him cry Sa prof était si gentille qu’elle lui an mis la main sur l’épaule  His teacher was so nice that she placed her hand on his shoulder

© Quentin Gibaud Bernard - 2013