听力题 M: Hello, Shirley. How did you like Professor Gordon’s talk on American literature? W: Hi, Bill. It was very interesting. I wish you could have been there. Professor Gordon talked about Henry James. I have read a bit of his work before, still I learned a lot from the talk. M: Oh, I’m sorry that I missed the chance to hear him. I went to the doctor’s this afternoon because I had a sore throat. Shirley, could you tell me something about this lecture and about Henry James? W: Sure. I’d be happy to. Professor Gordon first mentioned when and where Henry James was born. He was born in New York City in 1843 and was the son of a wealthy amateur philosopher, Henry James Senior. He was educated by private tutors until 1855. M: Why was he educated by private tutors? Couldn’t he go to school? W: Well, I guess because his parents were wealthy, they could afford to hire private tutors. But I really don’t know the exact reason. M: Then what did he do after 1855? W: His family spent most of the time traveling in Europe where Henry continued his education, and then settled in Newport, Rhode Island. M: Did he go to university? W: Yes. He attended Harvard Law School, but withdrew to devote himself to writing. M: Yeah, law and literature are not so closely related. What else? W: He settled in England in 1876. He never married, but he was a very sociable person. M: That’s interesting. You mentioned you have read a little of his work. How do you like it? W: Well. I don’ t think I have read enough to comment on it, though I did find his writing interesting. M: I don’t want to miss another chance to hear Professor Gordon’s lecture next time. And thank you for the information about Henry James. See you tomorrow.