Robinson Crusoe【１】(1-4) 1422words

Reference:
Robinson Crusoe for Children by James Baldwin
Chapter.1-4
Ch.1 I WISH TO BE A SAILOR
Ch.2 I MAKE MY FIRST VOYAGE
Ch.3 I SEE MUCH OF THE WORLD
Ch.4 I UNDERTAKE A NEW VENTURE



a.Words or expressions I did not know.

1.bear

Context:
But I could not bear the thought of it.

Definition:
to be so upset about something that you feel unable to accept it or let it happen [= can't stand]


2.curious

Context:
He would carry out a load of cheap trinkets to exchange for gold dust and feathers and other rare and curious things.

Definition:
strange or unusual


3.equally

Context:
You will bring them here, and we will divide them equally.

Definition:
to the same degree or amount


4.satisfy

Context:
Nothing would satisfy me but to make a long voyage.

Definition:
to make someone feel pleased by doing what they want


5.stirring

Context:
I would have many a stirring adventure.

Definition:
producing strong feelings or excitement in someone [= rousing]



b.Questions and about something I did not understand.

(1)
Context:
I thought how grand it must be to sail and sail on the wide blue sea, with the sky above and the waves beneath. Nothing could be pleasanter.

Question:
I could not understand "Nothing could be pleasanter."
What is the meaning of "be pleasanter"?
Does it mean "be more pleasant"?


(2)
Context:
As for your part, you shall be the manager of the business; and you shall do the trading for us.

Question:
What is the meaning of "shall" in this sentence?
I guess that if it means "～させてやる" in Japanese, but I don't understand.


(3)
Context:
"But how is that going to help me?"

Question:
I guessed from reading the fourth chapter it means "何が僕の利益になるんだ？" in Japanese, but I don't understand well.
Would you tell me the explanation for it?



c.A summary of the essay.

I WISH TO BE A SAILOR
My name is Robinson Crusoe. I was born in York, where there is a broad river. I liked to watch the ships. My father was working in a dusty shop, but I wished to be a sailor and wanted to see the world. When my mother knew it, she was very sad and told me a sailor's life was a hard life, "How much safer it is to be at home!" she said. But I left my pleasant home and went sea when I was eighteen years old.
I MAKE MY FIRST VOYAGE
On the very first night the wind began to blow, it was worse with time passed. I thought the ship would surely go to the bottom, and if I live to reach dry land I will never set my foot in another ship. In the next evening the storm was over, and the next morning the first mate said to me, "Were you frightened by that little gale?...Wait till we have a real storm." And so I soon forgot my fears. My first voyage was not a long one, and the ship went only to London. But the things which I saw in that great city seemed very wonderful to me. I wished to see the whole world.
I SEE MUCH OF THE WORLD
One day I met an old sea captain who had been often to the coast of Africa to trade with the black people there. He told to me, cheap trinkets exchange for gold dust there. I was very glad to go with him because he was very kind to me. He taught me much that every sailor ought to know on his ship. The voyage was pleasant one, and I had nearly six pounds of the yellow dust for my own share when we sailed back to London. Now I cared more for the money or goods that I would get by trading than to see strange sights and visit unknown shores.
I UNDERTAKE A NEW VENTURE
I had grown very tired of being a sailor. I bought some land in Brazil and began to open a plantation. But I couldn't get slaves, because they had not enough for themselves. Then they said to me, "You shall be the manager of the business; and you shall do the trading for us. With the goods which we send, you will buy as man black slaves as the ship will hold. You will bring them here, you shall share with us, just as though you had paid the money." It was very foolish of me to go to sea again; but the offer was so good that I could not say No. The voyage was not very heavy and the ship was to carry fourteen men besides the captain and myself.






追記：
投稿日が７月６日と表示されていますが、これは今週（７月１３日）に仕上げた最新のものです。
Lung-8への投稿も完了しております。
at 2010/07/14