英语博客(A cup of English):011 Guy Fawkes Day.

　　Guy Fawkes Day.

Beginners.

November 5th is an important day in England. It is called Guy Fawkes Day. We have fireworks and big bonfires every year to celebrate parliament in our country. Guy Fawkes was a criminal. He tried to blow up the government and the king. He didn't do it. The police caught him and arrested him. This happened in 1605. The children make a figure out of material, they put it in a public place, and they ask for money. They spend the money on fireworks or candies. It is a fun holiday for everyone, especially because the nights are dark in late Fall. Each town and village has its own bonfire which is huge, and the people come from their homes, watch the fireworks, and eat baked potatoes. Then the 'Guy' is burned on the fire. What a tradition!

Grammar notes.

Verbs: try (preterite = tried); catch (preterite = caught); do (preterite = did).

Related words: parliament, country, government, king, tradition.

Advanced.

"Remember, remember the fifth of November,

Gun powder, treason, and plot."

These are the first two lines of a saying we have to celebrate the capture of Guy Fawkes in 1605, and the saving of the Houses of Parliament and King James 1st. I suppose it is a true story. It has certainly been celebrated 1 and enjoyed for four hundred years. Apparently 2, shortly before the gunpowder 3 was lit, Guy Fawkes, who was standing 4 guard, was spotted 5 and arrested. He was tried, found guilty, and executed. I will spare you the gory 6 details. And so, we celebrate the continuance of government, the monarchy 7, and democracy. I feel great nostalgia 8 at this time of year which is partly because of this special day. Each town and village would build a huge pile of wood in a public park or field. Then, as soon as it was dark, the people would start coming from their homes. The streets and alleyways would empty as the wide body of shadows would slide down to the field. You couldn't see anyone's face until the bonfire was lit. I remember feeling the warmth coming from this enormous, sun-like burning mass. Then, sparklers would be handed out to the children, so we could swirl 9 them around for a few minutes, and be absorbed by their brilliance 10. Children find these moments magical, of course. It is not until we are adults that we realize the significance of this piece of our culture, and that it is exactly this kind of celebration that makes each country unique.

Grammar notes.

Verbs: past continous made with the use of 'would'. Examples: He would arrive late and then would leave early; she would never shut the door; they wouldn't let us vote a hundred years ago.

Related words: parliament, government, king, queen, monarchy, crown, democracy, execute, continuance, fireworks, sparklers, bangers, nostalgia, gory details.

Useful expressions: unique, I suppose, certainly, apparently, to be absorbed by something.