[Grammar] The use of 'flowers'

[emp0608]

Hi folks,

I've run across the following passage in one of the English textbooks used for high school students in Japan:
People in Japan can see dogwood flowers after cherry blossoms fall. Cherry blossoms are now a symbol of spring in the U.S. capital. People in Japan and the U.S. enjoy these two flowers. Flowers across the ocean will continue to be a bridge between the two nations.

My first question: Doesn't "two flowers" sound strange? Shouldn't it be "two kinds of flower(s)"?
Second question: Don't we need "the" before "Flowers", i.e. shouldn't it be "The flowers" instead of "Flowers"?

Thanks as always.

emp0608

 

[emsr2d2]

No and no.

 

[emp0608]

Hi emsr2d2,

Could you kindly elaborate on your comment?

emp0608

 

[emsr2d2]

"species of" is implied within "two flowers". The rest of the piece makes it clear that we are talking about two species.
In the second, "Flowers" just means "flowers in general". It would not have been wrong to say "These flowers" but that would have excluded all the other flowers that can (metaphorically) bridge gaps across oceans.

 

[emp0608]

The first explanation is very reasonable. But as for the second, I think the author is talking specifically about the cherry blossoms on the Potomac and the flowers of the dogwood trees sent from the U.S. in 1915. Therefore, I think "the" or "these" is in order. Of course people who don't know the whole story may think the author is talking about a general idea.

 

[emp0608]

I still find it difficult to understand why the author suddenly started talking about flowers in general but I guess no other interpretations are possible.
Thanks Piscean & emsr2d2.

 

[The bright star]

Not a teacher (of English)

Hi, my teachers .
I think it was better to use "These flowers" or "These two flowers" instead of "Flowers" as the writer was speaking about them only .

 

[teechar]

[STRIKE]Hi, my teachers .[/STRIKE]
I think it [STRIKE]was[/STRIKE] would have been better to use "These flowers" or "These two flowers" instead of "Flowers" as the writer was speaking about them only.

No, that's incorrect. Please carefully read the discussion above.