The Collapse of Strathfield
怦然心动英语书摘
怦然心动英语书摘English:One of my favorite book extracts from "Wonder" is when August, the main character, is describing his first day of school. He talks about how all the other kids were staring at him and whispering to each other, pointing out his facial deformities. August describes his feelings of being different and how it made him want to hide his face. However, he also talks about the few kids who were kind to him, particularly a girl named Summer. Summer came up to August and started a conversation, treating him like any other student. This small act of kindness made a huge impact on August and gave him the courage to face his fears. The extract beautifully portrays the emotions and challenges faced by someone who is different and addresses the power of kindness and empathy in making a difference in someone's life.中文翻译:《奇迹》这本书中我最喜欢的书摘是描述主角奥古斯特的第一天上学的那段。
读巴黎圣母院前两章的读后感
读巴黎圣母院前两章的读后感英文版As I sat down to read the first two chapters of "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame" by Victor Hugo, I was immediately drawn into the world of 15th century Paris. The vivid descriptions of the bustling streets, the grandeur of the Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the colorful characters that inhabit the city all came to life on the pages before me.One of the most striking aspects of the novel is the way Hugo weaves together the stories of different characters, from the beautiful gypsy girl Esmeralda to the deformed bell-ringer Quasimodo. Each character is richly developed, with their own motivations, desires, and flaws. I found myself quickly becoming invested in their fates, eagerly turning the pages to see how their stories would unfold.The themes of love, loyalty, and betrayal are also prevalent throughout the novel. The complex relationships between the characters, particularly the love triangle between Esmeralda, Captain Phoebus, and Quasimodo, add depth and intrigue to the story. Hugo's exploration of the darker side of human nature, from prejudice and jealousy to greed and cruelty, is both thought-provoking and compelling.Overall, reading the first two chapters of "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame" left me captivated and eager to continue delving into the world that Hugo has created. I look forward to seeing how the characters' stories unfold and how the themes of the novel will continue to resonate throughout the rest of the book.中文翻译当我坐下来阅读雨果的《巴黎圣母院》的前两章时，我立刻被15世纪巴黎的世界所吸引。
了不起的盖茨比英文总结ppt635
Summary of the book
The Great Gatsby is a story told by Nick Carraway, who was once Gatsby's neighbor. As the story opens, Nick has just moved from the Midwest to West Egg, Long Island, seeking his fortune as a bond salesman(股票推销员). Shortly after his arrival, Nick travels across the Sound to the more fashionable East Egg to visit his cousin Daisy Buchanan and her husband, Tom, a very rich man whom Nick had known in college. There he meets professional golfer(高尔 夫球员) Jordan Baker. The Buchanans and Jordan Baker live luxurious （奢靡的） lives, contrasting sharply in sensibility and luxury with Nick's more modest and grounded lifestyle. When Nick returns home that evening, he notices his neighbor, Gatsby, mysteriously standing in the dark and stretching his arms toward the water, and a green light across the Sound.
伍尔夫及其经典《到灯塔去》_英语文学名着精读
Her works:
• The Voyage Out (1915) • Night and Day (1919) • Jacob’s Room (1920) • Monday or Tuesday (1921) • Mrs Dalloway (1925) • The Common Reader, First Series (1925) • To the Lighthouse (1927) • Orlando (1928) • A Room of One’s Own (1929) • The Waves (1931) • Flush: A Biography (1933) • The Common Reader, Second Series (1925) • The Years (1937) • Three Guineas (1938) • Between the Acts (1941)
Her breakdowns and subsequent recurring depressive periods were also induced by the sexual abuse she and her sister Vanessa were subject to by their half-brothers.
1. Please compare her life experience with the publication of her works, What is relationship between Woolf life suffering with her writing career?
了不起的盖茨比第四章英语单词知乎
了不起的盖茨比第四章英语单词知乎The Great Gatsby is a classic novel written by F. Scott Fitzgerald that tells the story of Jay Gatsby, a wealthy man living in Long Island during the Roaring Twenties. The novel is known for its vivid descriptions of the Jazz Age, as well as its exploration of themes such as love, wealth, and the American Dream.In the fourth chapter of The Great Gatsby, we see the narrator, Nick Carraway, attending one of Gatsby's lavish parties. The chapter provides insight into Gatsby's mysterious past and the extravagant lifestyle he leads. Through Nick's observant eyes, we get a glimpse of the opulence and wealth that define Gatsby's world.One of the key themes explored in this chapter is the idea of perception versus reality. Gatsby is portrayed as a wealthy and successful man, but as the chapter progresses, we begin to see cracks in this facade. Gatsby's parties are a spectacle of excess and indulgence, but underneath it all, there is a sense of loneliness and longing. This contrast between appearances and truth adds depth to Gatsby's character and highlights the complexities of human nature.Another important aspect of the fourth chapter is the introduction of the character Jordan Baker. Jordan is a beautiful and charming woman who captures Nick's attention. She is depicted as confident and self-assured, but there is a sense of detachment in her demeanor. Jordan's presence adds a new dynamic to the story and hints at the complicated relationships that will unfold later in the novel.Overall, the fourth chapter of The Great Gatsby is a pivotal moment in the story. It sets the stage for the drama and intrigue that will unfold in the following chapters, while also delving deeper into the characters and themes that define the novel. Fitzgerald's elegant prose and vivid imagery make this chapter a captivating read, drawing readers into the glamorous and tumultuous world of Jay Gatsby.。
曼斯菲尔德庄园读后感英语
曼斯菲尔德庄园读后感英语Reading "Mansfield Park" by Jane Austen was an enlightening journey into the intricacies of social class and moral growth. The novel's protagonist, Fanny Price, is a character whose quiet strength and unwavering principles resonate profoundly.Austen's portrayal of Fanny's life at the grand Mansfield Park estate offers a vivid contrast between thesuperficiality of high society and the depth of genuine virtue. Her trials and tribulations are a testament to the importance of integrity, even in the face of temptation and societal pressure.The relationships within the Bertram family and their circle are complex, revealing the nuances of power dynamics and personal growth. Each character serves as a mirror, reflecting different aspects of human nature and societal expectations.The novel's setting, the early 19th-century England, provides a rich backdrop for exploring themes of propriety, duty, and love. Austen's sharp wit and keen observations make the period come alive, while also serving as a critique ofits social mores.One of the most striking aspects of "Mansfield Park" is the development of Fanny's character. From a shy andoverlooked young girl, she evolves into a woman of conviction, standing up for her beliefs and values, despite thechallenges she faces.Austen's narrative style is engaging, with a balance of dialogue and description that allows the reader to become intimately acquainted with the characters and their motivations. The novel is a masterclass in character development and social commentary.In conclusion, "Mansfield Park" is a timeless work that continues to offer insights into the human condition. It challenges the reader to reflect on their own values and the choices they make in a world that often prioritizes appearance over substance.。
英国十九世纪文学
Jane Austen
1775～1817
Main works
• Sense and Sensibility理智与情感 • Pride and Prejudice傲慢与偏见 • Mansfield Park曼斯ibility
Mansfield Park
•Emma
英国女作家简· 奥斯汀较有影响的长篇小说《爱玛》 创作于1815年，是奥斯汀作品中艺术上思想上最成 熟的一部。小说主人公爱玛是个美丽聪明的地主小姐， 喜欢与人作媒。她在无聊之中把邻近的一个孤女哈丽 埃特置于自己的保护之下，主观臆想地安排她的恋爱。 哈丽埃特很随和地一次又一次“爱”上了爱玛给她选 择的“求婚者”。最后在爱玛的不负责的怂恿下，竟 自以为“爱”上了本地最大的地主兼地方官奈特利先 生，这时爱玛才猛然发现原来自己是爱奈特利先生的， 最后两人都找到了与自己相匹配的伴侣。
The story was placed in Europe. A young man who loved science went to England to study. After some time of researching, he discovered the mystery of human body and created a strange being, an ugly monster. Frankenstein was very shocked by the ugly shape of the monster, so he left the monster with hate. Since then, the monster faced a world full of hate and fear. He couldn’t bear the heavy burden of being a strange creature. He then made up his mind to revenge on his creator, Frankenstein. He covered a long distance to Frankenstein’s hometown, and met the little brother of Frankenstein by accident. He killed the boy. As soon as Frankenstein heard the bad news, Frankenstein went back home. Later he met the real murderer, the monster, and he hated the monster more.
了不起的盖茨比第七章英语单词知乎
了不起的盖茨比第七章英语单词知乎全文共3篇示例，供读者参考篇1The Vocabulary of Chapter 7 in The Great Gatsby: A Student's In-Depth AnalysisWhat's up, fellow literature lovers and word nerds? Today, we're diving deep into the rich and symbolic vocabulary found in Chapter 7 of F. Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece, The Great Gatsby. As a student who adores dissecting literary works, I'm thrilled to share my insights and personal interpretations of the language used in this pivotal chapter.First things first, let's set the stage. Chapter 7 is the climax of the novel, where tensions reach a boiling point, and the illusions surrounding Gatsby's persona and his pursuit of Daisy begin to unravel. The atmosphere is thick with dramatic irony, and Fitzgerald masterfully employs evocative diction to convey the underlying emotions and thematic elements.One word that immediately caught my attention is "inexplicable." Fitzgerald describes the "inexplicable certified confusion" surrounding Gatsby's background and wealth. Thisword not only highlights the mystery and ambiguity surrounding Gatsby but also foreshadows the eventual revelation of his shady past and the disillusionment that follows.Moving on, we encounter the phrase "fantastic conceits." This phrase perfectly encapsulates the grandiose delusions and unrealistic expectations that have driven the characters' actions throughout the novel. It's a poignant reminder of the theme of disillusionment and the harsh reality that often shatters our idealized dreams.Another standout word is "appalling." Used to describe Gatsby's reaction to Tom's revelations about his past, it conveys the profound sense of shock and dismay that overwhelms him as his carefully crafted persona crumbles. The intensity of this word mirrors the devastating impact of the truth on Gatsby's psyche.Let's not forget the word "colossal." Fitzgerald employs this adjective to depict the sheer magnitude of Gatsby's illusions and the scale of his dreams. It's a testament to the grandiose nature of his aspirations, which ultimately prove to be his undoing.Shifting gears, the phrase "grotesque, circumstantial" caught my eye. Fitzgerald uses it to describe the evidence Tom presents against Gatsby, hinting at the sordid and unsavory details of his past. This phrase adds a sense of ugliness and distortion to therevelations, further emphasizing the stark contrast between Gatsby's idealized persona and the harsh realities of his life.One word that struck me as particularly powerful is "holocaust." Fitzgerald employs this term to describe the intense emotional turmoil and devastation that Gatsby experiences as his dreams are shattered. The word's connotations of complete destruction and sacrifice resonate deeply with the theme of disillusionment and the sacrifices Gatsby made in pursuit of his dreams.Finally, let's explore the phrase "obscurity borne once more in line of sight." This poetic line refers to the resurfacing of Gatsby's obscure past, which had been carefully concealed until this point. It's a haunting reminder that no matter how hard we try to reinvent ourselves, our pasts have a way of catching up with us, and the truth ultimately prevails.In conclusion, the vocabulary employed by Fitzgerald in Chapter 7 of The Great Gatsby is a masterclass in literary craftsmanship. Each word and phrase is meticulously chosen to convey deeper meanings, symbolism, and thematic elements. From the sense of mystery and ambiguity to the harsh realities of disillusionment, the diction in this chapter is a powerful tool thatenhances the emotional impact of the narrative and leaves a lasting impression on the reader.So, there you have it, my fellow word enthusiasts – a deep dive into the vocabulary of Chapter 7 of The Great Gatsby. I hope this analysis has piqued your interest and inspired you to delve deeper into the rich tapestry of language woven by Fitzgerald in this literary masterpiece.篇2Vocabulary Gems from Chapter 7 of The Great GatsbyHey fellow bookworms! As an avid reader and lover of literature, I always look forward to diving deep into the linguistic riches found in classic novels. Today, I want to share some of the juiciest vocabulary morsels from Chapter 7 of F. Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece, The Great Gatsby.Let's kick things off with a word that perfectly encapsulates the lavish lifestyle portrayed in the novel: "sumptuous." When Gatsby's house is described as "a solemn, haunting house, broodingly immense among its fringed and sumptuous gardens," the word "sumptuous" conjures up images of extravagant opulence and luxurious splendor. It's a word that screams "over-the-top" and "no expense spared."Speaking of lavish parties, the word "revelers" caught my eye. It refers to the raucous, carefree merrymakers who attended Gatsby's legendary bashes. Can't you just picture a horde of revelers, decked out in their finest threads, dancing the night away with reckless abandon?Now, let's delve into a word that carries a more ominous undertone: "sinister." When Nick describes Gatsby's smile as having "a quality of eternal reassurance in that conclusive smile, the vigorous promise that the rock of the world was founded securely on a fairy's wing," the word "sinister" is used to describe the smile's "sinister resilience." This word choice hints at something darker lurking beneath the surface, foreshadowing the tragic events to come.Moving on, we have the delightfully whimsical word "oblivious." When the narrative states that Gatsby was "oblivious of the sunshine," it paints a vivid picture of someone so lost in their own thoughts and preoccupations that they fail to notice the world around them. It's a relatable feeling we've all experienced at one point or another.Next up is a word that evokes a sense of mystique and intrigue: "inscrutable." When Nick observes Gatsby's "inscrutable vision," it suggests a depth and complexity to Gatsby's characterthat defies easy comprehension. It's a tantalizing hint at the layers of mystery surrounding this enigmatic figure.Let's not forget the deliciously descriptive word "grotesque." When Nick describes the "grotesque, fascinating brightness" of Gatsby's wealth and possessions, it simultaneously conveys a sense of awe and repulsion. It's a word that perfectly captures the allure and excess of the Gatsby lifestyle while hinting at its inherent ugliness.Moving on, we have the evocative word "haunt." When Nick mentions Gatsby's "haunting loneliness," it conjures up images of a specter-like figure, forever trapped in a state of melancholic solitude. It's a word that adds a haunting, ethereal quality to Gatsby's character.Finally, let's explore the word "permeate." When Nick describes the "permeating scent" of Gatsby's house, it creates a vivid sensory experience, as if the reader can smell the rich, lingering aromas wafting through the air. It's a word that adds depth and texture to the descriptive passages.Well, there you have it, fellow word nerds! A tantalizing glimpse into the rich vocabulary that permeates Chapter 7 of The Great Gatsby. Whether you're a seasoned literary connoisseur or a budding bibliophile, these words are sure to add somelinguistic sparkle to your reading experience. Happy reading, and may the words dance off the page and into your heart!篇3The Dazzling Vocabulary of Gatsby's ReunionChapter 7 of The Great Gatsby is a pivotal moment in the novel, where the long-awaited reunion between Gatsby and Daisy finally occurs. As a student of literature, I was struck by the masterful way Fitzgerald uses language to convey the intense emotions and tensions at play during this climactic scene. The vocabulary he employs is rich, evocative, and at times, dazzlingly complex, adding layers of depth and nuance to the narrative. Let's delve into some of the most captivating words and phrases from this chapter.One word that immediately caught my attention was "colossal," used to describe Gatsby's dreams and aspirations. This adjective conjures up images of something vast, monumental, and awe-inspiring, perfectly capturing the grandiose nature of Gatsby's pursuit of Daisy. The word's etymological roots in Greek further emphasize its magnitude, lending a sense of timelessness and universality to Gatsby's desires.Another striking word is "feign," which Fitzgerald employs when describing Gatsby's attempts to appear casual and nonchalant in Daisy's presence. The term "feign" suggests a deliberate act of deception or pretense, hinting at the complex web of emotions and facades that Gatsby has woven around himself. This word choice skillfully underscores the deep vulnerability and insecurity that lie beneath Gatsby's carefully constructed persona.Fitzgerald's use of the word "ineffable" is particularly noteworthy, as he applies it to describe the quality of Gatsby's smile when he finally reunites with Daisy. "Ineffable" suggests something that is too profound or too sublime to be adequately expressed in words, perfectly capturing the depth of Gatsby's emotional state in that moment. This word choice elevates the scene to a level of almost spiritual transcendence, reflecting the intensity of Gatsby's long-held dreams and desires.The phrase "furnace of vitriol" is another evocative turn of phrase that caught my eye. Fitzgerald uses this vivid metaphor to describe Tom Buchanan's simmering anger and hostility towards Gatsby. The word "vitriol" conjures up images of a highly corrosive and toxic substance, while "furnace" implies an intense and uncontrollable heat, together painting a powerful picture ofTom's barely contained rage. This metaphor foreshadows the explosive confrontation that ultimately erupts between the two men, heightening the sense of tension and impending conflict.Fitzgerald's use of the word "appalling" is particularly interesting, as it carries a dual meaning. On one level, it suggests something that is shocking or horrifying, reflecting the profound emotional turmoil and disillusionment that Gatsby experiences as his dreams begin to unravel. However, the word "appalling" can also mean "causing dismay or disappointment," which aptly describes the sense of disenchantment that Gatsby must feel as he realizes the true nature of Daisy's character and the insurmountable challenges standing in the way of their reunion.The phrase "grotesque and fantastic conceits" is another standout example of Fitzgerald's rich vocabulary. "Conceits" refers to fanciful or imaginative notions, while "grotesque" and "fantastic" suggest something that is both distorted and whimsical. This phrase is used to describe the extravagant and over-the-top decorations adorning Gatsby's mansion, reflecting the grandiose and almost absurd lengths to which he has gone in his pursuit of wealth and status – all in an effort to win over Daisy. This vivid description not only paints a striking visualpicture but also serves as a metaphor for the distorted and fantastical nature of Gatsby's dreams and aspirations.Throughout Chapter 7, Fitzgerald employs a multitude of evocative and richly descriptive words and phrases, such as "riotous," "curtains of azaleas," "vanished trees," and "ecstatic caress." These word choices not only create a vivid and immersive reading experience but also serve to reinforce the overarching themes of the novel, such as the futility of pursuing the past, the corrupting influence of wealth and materialism, and the disillusionment that often accompanies the pursuit of idealized dreams.As a student of literature, I am in awe of Fitzgerald's masterful command of language and his ability to weave together words in a way that not only tells a compelling story but also resonates on a deeper, emotional level. The vocabulary he employs in Chapter 7, with its rich tapestry of evocative and nuanced terms, is a testament to his literary genius and his profound understanding of the human condition.In conclusion, the dazzling vocabulary and artful use of language in Chapter 7 of The Great Gatsby are a true hallmark of Fitzgerald's literary prowess. From the grandiose "colossal" to the sublime "ineffable," and the vivid "furnace of vitriol," eachword is carefully chosen and expertly woven into the narrative, adding depth, nuance, and emotional resonance to this pivotal moment in the novel. As a student, exploring and unpacking the meanings and connotations of these words has not only enriched my understanding of the text but has also deepened my appreciation for the power of language and the craft of great literary works.。
The Crack-up -F[1]. Scott Fitzgerald 崩溃-菲茨杰拉德
![The Crack-up -F[1]. Scott Fitzgerald 崩溃-菲茨杰拉德](https://img.taocdn.com/s3/m/2fc5f37e168884868762d6e1.png)
The Crack-UpOne of the greats confronts the pressures of fame in a most public forumBy F. Scott FitzgeraldOriginally published as a three-part series in the February, March, and April 1936 issues of EsquireOf course all life is a process of breaking down, but the blows that do the dramatic side of the work -- the big sudden blows that come, or seem to come, from outside -- the ones you remember and blame things on and, in moments of weakness, tell your friends about, don’t show their effect all at once. There is another sort of blow that comes from within -- that you don’t feel until it’s too late to do anything about it, until you realize with finality that in some regard you will never be as good a man again. The first sort of breakage seems to happen quick -- the second kind happens almost without your knowing it but is realized suddenly indeed.Before I go on with this short history, let me make a general observation -- the test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function. One should, for example, be able to see that things are hopeless and yet be determined to make them otherwise. This philosophy fitted on to my early adult life, when I saw the improbable, the implausible, often the “impossible,” come true. Life was something you dominated if you were any good. Life yielded easily to intelligence and effort, or to what proportion could be mustered of both. It seemed a romantic business to be a successful literary man -- you were not ever going to be as famous as a movie star but what note you had was probably longer-lived; you were never going to have the power of a man of strong political or religious convictions but you were certainly more independent. Of course within the practice of your trade you were forever unsatisfied -- but I, for one, would not have chosen any other.As the Twenties passed, with my own twenties marching a little ahead of them, my two juvenile regrets -- at not being big enough (or good enough) to play football in college, and at not getting overseas during the war -- resolved themselves into childish waking dreams of imaginary heroism that were good enough to go to sleep on in restless nights. The big problems of life seemed to solve themselves, and if the business of fixing them was difficult, it made one too tired to think of more general problems.Life, ten years ago, was largely a personal matter. I must hold in balance the sense of futility of effort and the sense of the necessity to struggle; the conviction of the inevitability of failure and still the determination to “succeed” -- and, more than these, the contradiction between the dead hand of the past and the high intentions of the future. If I could do this through the common ills -- domestic, professional, and personal -- then the ego would continue as anarrow shot from nothingness to nothingness with such force that only gravity would bring it to earth at last.For seventeen years, with a year of deliberate loafing and resting out in the center -- things went on like that, with a new chore only a nice prospect for the next day. I was living hard, too, but: “Up to forty-nine it’ll be all right,” I said. “I can count on that. For a man who’s lived a s I have, that’s all you could ask.”-- And then, ten years this side of forty-nine, I suddenly realized I had prematurely cracked.Now a man can crack in many ways -- can crack in the head, in which case the power of decision is taken from you by others; or in the body, when one can but submit to the white hospital world; or in the nerves. William Seabrook in an unsympathetic book tells, with some pride and a movie ending, of how he became a public charge. What led to his alcoholism, or was bound up with it, was a collapse of his nervous system. Though the present writer was not so entangled -- having at the time not tasted so much as a glass of beer for six months -- it was his nervous reflexes that were giving way -- too much anger and too many tears.Moreover, to go back to my thesis that life has a varying offensive, the realization of having cracked was not simultaneous with a blow, but with a reprieve.Not long before, I had sat in the office of a great doctor and listened to a grave sentence. With what, in retrospect, seems some equanimity, I had gone on about my affairs in the city where I was then living, not caring much, not thinking how much had been left undone, or what would become of this and that responsibility, like people do in books; I was well insured and anyhow I had been only a mediocre caretaker of most of the things left in my hands, even of my talent.But I had a strong sudden instinct that I must be alone. I didn’t want to see any people at all.I had seen so many people all my life -- I was an average mixer, but more than average in a tendency to identify myself, my ideas, my destiny, with those of all classes that came in contact with. I was always saving or being saved -- in a single morning I would go through the emotions ascribable to Wellington at Waterloo. I lived in a world of inscrutable hostiles and inalienable friends and supporters.But now I wanted to be absolutely alone and so arranged a certain insulation from ordinary cares.It was not an unhappy time. I went away and there were fewer people. I found I wasgood-and-tired. I could lie around and was glad to, sleeping or dozing sometimes twenty hours a day and in the intervals trying resolutely not to think -- instead I made lists -- made lists and tore them up, hundreds of lists: of cavalry leaders and football players and cities, and popular tunes and pitchers, and happy times, and hobbies and houses lived in and how many suits since I left the army and how many pairs of shoes (I didn’t count the suit I bought in Sorrento that shrank, nor the pumps and dress shirt and collar that I carried around foryears and never wore, because the pumps got damp and grainy and the shirt and collar got yellow and starch-rotted). And lists of women I’d liked, and of the times I had let myse lf be snubbed by people who had not been my betters in character or ability.-- And then suddenly, surprisingly, I got better.-- And cracked like an old plate as soon as I heard the news.That is the real end of this story. What was to be done about it will have to rest in what used to be called the “womb of time.” Suffice to say that after about an hour of solitarypillow-hugging, I began to realize that for two years my life had been a drawing on resources that I did not possess, that I had been mortgaging myself physically and spiritually up to the hilt. What was the small gift of life given back in comparison to that? -- when there had once been a pride of direction and a confidence in enduring independence.I realized that in those two years, in order to preserve something -- an inner hush maybe, maybe not -- I had weaned myself from all the things I used to love -- that every act of life from the morning toothbrush to the friend at dinner had become an effort. I saw that for a long time I had not liked people and things, but only followed the rickety old pretense of liking.I saw that even my love for those closest to me had become only an attempt to love, that my casual relations -- with an editor, a tobacco seller, the child of a friend, were only what I remembered I should do, from other days. All in the same month I became bitter about such things as the sound of the radio, the advertisements in the magazines, the screech of tracks, the dead silence of the country -- contemptuous at human softness, immediately (if secretively) quarrelsome toward hardness -- hating the night when I couldn’t sleep and hating the day because it went toward night. I slept on the heart side now because I knew that the sooner I could tire that out, even a little, the sooner would come that blessed hour of nightmare which, like a catharsis, would enable me to better meet the new day.There were certain spots, certain faces I could look at. Like most midwesterners, I have never had any but the vaguest race prejudices -- I always had a secret yen for the lovely Scandinavian blondes who sat on porches in St. Paul but hadn’t emerged enough economically to be part of what was then society. They were too nice to be “chickens” and too quickly off the farmlands to seize a place in the sun, but I remember going round blocks to catch a single glimpse of shining hair -- the bright shock of a girl I’d never know. This is urban, unpopular talk. It strays afield from the fact that in these latter days I couldn’t stand the sight of Celts, English, Politicians, Strangers, Virginians, Negroes (light or dark), Hunting People, or retail clerks, and middlemen in general, all writers (I avoided writers carefully because they can perpetuate trouble as no one else can) -- and all the classes as classes and most of them as members of their class…Trying to cling to something, I liked doctors and girl children up to the age of about thirteen and well-brought-up boy children from about eight years old on. I could have peace and happiness with these few categories of people. I forgot to add that I liked old men -- men over seventy, sometimes over sixty if their faces looked seasoned. I liked Katherine Hepburn’sface on the screen, no matter what was said about her pretentiousness, and Miriam Hopkins’s face, and old friends if I only saw them once a year and could remember their ghosts.All rather inhuman and undernourished, isn’t it? Well, that, children, is the true sign of cracking up.It is not a pretty picture. Inevitably it was carted here and there within its frame and exposed to various critics. One of them can only be described as a person whose life makes other people’s lives seem like death -- even this time when she was cast in the unusually unappealing role of Job’s comforter. In spite of the f act that this story is over, let me append our conversation as a sort of postscript:“Instead of being so sorry for yourself, listen -- “she said. (She always says “Listen,” because she thinks while she talks -- really thinks.) So she said: “Listen. Suppose this wasn’t a crack in you -- suppose it was a crack in the Grand Canyon.”“The crack’s in me,” I said heroically.“Listen! The world only exists in your eyes -- your conception of it. You can make it as big or as small as you want to. And you’re trying to be a little puny individual. By God, if I ever cracked, I’d try to make the world crack with me. Listen! The world only exists through your apprehension of it, and so it’s much better to say that it’s not you that’s cracked -- it’s the Grand Canyon.”“Baby, et up all her Spinoza?”“I don’t know anything about Spinoza. I know -- “ She spoke, then, of old woes of her own, that seemed, in telling, to have been more dolorous than mine, and how she had met them, overridden them, beaten them.I felt a certain reaction to what she said, but I am a slow-thinking man, and it occurred to me simultaneously that of all natural forces, vitality is the incommunicable one. In days when juice came into one as an article without duty, one tried to distribute it -- but always without success; to further mix metaphors, vitality never “takes.” You have it or you haven’t it, like health or brown eyes or honor or a baritone voice. I might have asked some of it from her, neatly wrapped and ready for home cooking and digestion, but I could never have got it -- not if I’d waited around for a thousand hours with the tin cup of self-pity. I could walk from her door, holding myself very carefully like cracked crockery, and go away into the world of bitterness, where I was making a home with such materials as are found there -- and quote to myself after I left her door:“Ye are the salt of the earth. But if the salt hath lost its savour, wherewith shall it be salted?”Matthew 5:13In a previous article this writer told about his realization that what he had before him was not the dish that he had ordered for his forties. In fact -- since he and the dish were one, he described himself as a cracked plate, the kind that one wonders whether it is worth preserving. Your editor thought that the article suggested too many aspects without regarding them closely, and probably many readers felt the same way -- and there are always those to whom all self-revelation is contemptible, unless it ends with a noble thanks to the gods for the Unconquerable Soul.But I had been thanking the gods too long, and thanking them for nothing. I wanted to put a lament in my record, without even the background of the Euganean Hills to give it color. There weren’t any Euganean Hills that I could see.Sometimes, though, the cracked plate has to be retained in the pantry, has to be kept in service as a household necessity. It can never again be warmed on the stove nor shuffled with the other plates in the dishpan; it will not be brought out for company, but it will do to hold crackers late at night or to go into the icebox under leftovers…Hence this sequel -- a cracked plate’s further history.Now the standard cure for one who is sunk is to consider those in actual destitution or physical suffering -- this is an all-weather beatitude for gloom in general and fairly salutary daytime advice for everyone. But at three o’clock in the morning, a forgotten package has the same tragic importance as a death sentence, and the cure doesn’t work -- and in a real dark night of the so ul it is always three o’clock in the morning, day after day. At that hour the tendency is to refuse to face things as long as possible by retiring into an infantile dream -- but one is continually startled out of this by various contacts with the world. One meets these occasions as quickly and carelessly as possible and retires once more back into the dream, hoping that things will adjust themselves by some great material or spiritual bonanza. But as the withdrawal persists there is less and less chance of the bonanza -- one is not waiting for the fade-out of a single sorrow, but rather being an unwilling witness of an execution, the disintegration of one’s own personality…Unless madness or drugs or drink come into it, this phase comes to a dead end, eventually, and is succeeded by a vacuous quiet. In this you can try to estimate what has been sheared away and what is left. Only when this quiet came to me did I realize that I had gone through two parallel experiences.The first time was twenty years ago, when I left Princeton in junior year with a complaint diagnosed as malaria. It transpired, through an X-ray taken a dozen years later, that it had been tuberculosis -- a mild case, and after a few months of rest I went back to college. But I had lost certain offices, the chief one was the presidency of the Triangle Club, a musical comedy idea, and also I dropped back a class. To me college would never be the same. There were to be no badges of pride, no medals, after all. It seemed on one March afternoon that I had lost every single thing I wanted -- and that night was the first time that I hunted down the specter of womanhood that, for a little while, makes everything else seem unimportant.Years later I realized that my failure as a big shot in college was all right -- instead of serving on committees, I took a beating on English poetry; when I got the idea of what it was all about, I set about learning how to write. On Shaw’s principle that “if you don’t get what you like, you better like what you get,” it wa s a lucky break -- at the moment it was a harsh and bitter business to know that my career as a leader of men was over.Since that day I have not been able to fire a bad servant, and I am astonished and impressed by people who can. Some old desire for personal dominance was broken and gone. Life around me was a solemn dream, and I lived on the letters I wrote to a girl in another city. A man does not recover from such jolts -- he becomes a different person, and, eventually, the new person finds new things to care about.The other episode parallel to my current situation took place after the war, when I had again overextended my flank. It was one of those tragic loves doomed for lack of money, and one day the girl closed it out on the basis of common sense. During a long summer of despair I wrote a novel instead of letters, so it came out all right, but it came out all right for a different reason. The man with the jingle of money in his pocket who married the girl a year later would always cherish an abiding distrust, an animosity, toward the leisure class -- not the conviction of a revolutionist but the smoldering hatred of a peasant. In the years since then I have never been able to stop wondering where my friends’ money came from, nor to stop thinking that at one time a sort of droit du seigneur might have been exercised to give one of them my girl.For sixteen years I lived pretty much as this latter person, distrusting the rich, yet working for money with which to share their mobility and the grace that some of them brought into their lives. During this time I had plenty of the usual horses shot from under me -- I remember some of their names -- Punctured Pride, Thwarted Expectation, Faithless, Show-off, Hard Hit, Never Again. And after a while I wasn’t twe nty-five, then not even thirty-five, and nothing was quite as good. But in all these years I don’t remember a moment of discouragement. I saw honest men through moods of suicidal gloom -- some of them gave up and died; others adjusted themselves and went on to a larger success than mine; but my morale never sank below the level of self-disgust when I had put on some unsightly personal show. Trouble has no necessary connection with discouragement -- discouragement has a germ of its own, as different from trouble as arthritis is different from a stiff joint.When a new sky cut off the sun last spring, I didn’t at first relate it to what had happened fifteen or twenty years ago. Only gradually did a certain family resemblance come through -- an overextension of the flank, a burning of the candle at both ends; a call upon physical resources that I did not command, like a man overdrawing at his bank. In its impact this blow was more violent than the other two but it was the same in kind -- a feeling that I was standing at twilight on a deserted range, with an empty rifle in my hands and the targets down. No problem set -- simply a silence with only the sound of my own breathing.In this silence there was a vast irresponsibility toward every obligation, a deflation of all my values. A passionate belief in order, a disregard of motives or consequences in favor or guesswork and prophecy, a feeling that craft and industry would have a place in any world --one by one, these and other convictions were swept away. I saw that the novel, which at my maturity was the strongest and supplest medium for conveying thought and emotion from one human being to another, was becoming subordinated to a mechanical and communal art that, whether in the hands of Hollywood merchants or Russian idealists, was capable of reflecting only the tritest thought, the most obvious emotion. It was an art in which words were subordinate to images, where personality was worn down to the inevitable low gear of collaboration. As long past as 1930, I had a hunch that the talkies would make even the best selling novelist as archaic as silent pictures. People still read, if only Professor Canby’s book of the month -- curious children nosed at the slime of Mr. Tiffany Thayer in the drugstore libraries -- but there was a rankling indignity, that to me had become almost an obsession, in seeing the power of the written word subordinated to another power, a more glittering, a grosser power…I set that down as an example of what haunted me during the long night -- this was something I could neither accept nor struggle against, something which tended to make my efforts obsolescent, as the chain stores have crippled the small merchant, an exterior force, unbeatable --(I have the sense of lecturing now, looking at a watch on the desk before me and seeing how many more minutes -- )Well, when I had reached this period of silence, I was forced into a measure that no one ever adopts voluntarily: I was impelled to think. God, was it difficult! The moving about of great secret trunks. In the first exhausted halt, I wondered whether I had ever thought. After a long time I came to these conclusions, just as I write them here:(1) That I had done very little thinking, save within the problems of my craft. For twenty years a certain man had been my intellectual conscience. That was Edmund Wilson.(2) That another man represented my sense of the “good life,” though I saw him once in a decade, and since then he might have been hung. He is in the fur business in the Northwest and wo uldn’t like his name set down here. But in difficult situations I have tried to think what he would have thought, how he would have acted.(3) That a third contemporary had been an artistic conscience to me -- I had not imitated his infectious style, because my own style, such as it is, was formed before he published anything, but there was an awful pull toward him when I was on a spot.(4) That a fourth man had come to dictate my relations with other people when these relations were successful: how to do, what to say. How to make people at least momentarily happy (in opposition to Mrs. Post’s theories of how to make everyone thoroughly uncomfortable with a sort of systemized vulgarity). This always confused me and made me want to go out and get drunk, but this man had seen the game, analyzed it, and beaten it, and his word was good enough for me.(5) That my political conscience had scarcely existed for ten years save as an element of irony in my stuff. When I became again concerned with the system I should function under, it was a man much younger than myself who brought it to me, with a mixture of passion and fresh air.So there was not an “I” anymore -- not a basis on which I could organize my self-respect -- save my limitless capacity for toil that it seemed I possessed no more. It was strange to have no self -- to be like a little boy left along in a big house, who knew that now he could do anything he wanted to do, but found that there was nothing that he wanted to do --(The watch is past the hour and I have barely reached my thesis. I have some doubts as to whether this is of general interest, but if anyone wants more, there is plenty left, and your editor will tell me. If you’ve had enough, say so -- but not too loud, because I have the feeling th at someone, I’m not sure who, is sound asleep -- someone who could have helped me to keep my shop open. It wasn’t Lenin, and it wasn’t God.)I have spoken in these pages of how an exceptionally optimistic young man experienceda crack-up of all values, a crack-up that he scarcely knew of until long after it occurred. I told of the succeeding period of desolation and of the necessity of going on, but without the benefit of Henley’s familiar heroics, “my head is bloody but unbowed.” For a checkup of my spiritual liabilities indicated that I had no particular head to be bowed or unbowed. Once I had had a heart but that was about all I was sure of.This was at least a starting place out of the morass in which I floundered: “I felt -- therefore I was.” At one tim e or another there had been many people who had leaned on me, come to me in difficulties or written me from afar, believed implicitly in my advice and my attitude toward life. The dullest platitude monger or the most unscrupulous Rasputin who can influence the destinies of many people must have some individuality, so the question became one of finding why and where I had changed, where was the leak through which, unknown to myself, my enthusiasm and my vitality had been steadily and prematurely trickling away.One harassed and despairing night I packed a briefcase and went off a thousand miles to think it over. I took a dollar room in a drab little town where I knew no one and sunk all the money I had with me in a stock of potted meat, crackers, and apples. But don’t let me suggest that the change from a rather overstuffed world to a comparative asceticism was any Research Magnificent -- I only wanted absolute quiet to think out why I had developed a sad attitude towards sadness, a melancholy attitude toward melancholy, and a tragic attitude toward tragedy -- why I had become identified with the objects of my horror or compassion.Does this seem a fine distraction? It isn’t: identification such as this spells the death of accomplishment. It is something like this that keeps sane people from working. Lenin did not willingly endure the sufferings of his proletariat, nor Washington of his troops, nor Dickens of his London poor. And when Tolstoy tried some such merging of himself with the objects of his attention, it was a fake and a failure. I mention these because they are the men best known to us all.It was dangerous mist. When Wordsworth decided that “there hath passed away a glory from the earth,” he felt no compulsion to pass away with it, and the Fiery Parti cle Keats never ceased his struggle against T.B. nor in his last moments relinquished his hope of being among the English poets.My self-immolation was something sodden-dark. It was very distinctly not modern -- yet I saw it in others, saw it in a dozen men of honor and industry since the war. (I heard you, but that’s too easy -- there were Marxians among these men.) I had stood by while one famous contemporary of mine played with the idea of the Big Out for half a year; I had watched when another, equally eminent, spent months in an asylum unable to endure any contact with his fellowmen. And of those who had given up and passed on I could list a score.This led me to the idea that the ones who had survived had made some sort of clean break. This is a big word and is no parallel to a jailbreak when one is probably headed for a new jail or will be forced back to the old one. The famous “Escape” or “Run away from it all” is an excursion in a trap even if the trap includes the South Seas, which are only for those who want to paint them or sail them. A clean break is something you cannot come back from; that is irretrievable because it makes the past cease to exist. So, since I could no longer fulfill the obligations that life had set for me or that I had set for myself, why not slay the empty shell who had been posturing at it for four years? I must continue to be a writer because that was my only way of life, but I would cease any attempts to be a person -- to be kind, just, or generous. There were plenty of counterfeit coins around that would pass instead of these and I knew where I could get them at a nickel on the dollar. In thirty-nine years an observant eye has learned to detect where the milk is watered and the sugar is sanded, the rhinestone passed for diamond and the stucco for stone. There was to be no more giving of myself -- all giving was to be outlawed henceforth under a new name, and that name was Waste.The decision made me rather exuberant, like anything that is both real and new. As a sort of beginning there was a whole shaft of letters to be tipped into the wastebasket when I went home, letters that wanted something for nothing -- to read this man’s manuscript, market this man’s poem, speak free on the radio, indite notes of introduction, give this interview, help with the plot of this play, with this domestic situation, perform this act of thoughtfulness or charity.The conjurer’s hat was empty. To draw things out of it had long been a sort of sleight of hand, and now, to change the metaphor, I was off the dispensing end of the relief roll forever.The heady villainous feeling continued.I felt like the beady-eyed men I used to see on the commuting train from Great Neck fifteen years back -- men who didn’t care whether the world tumbled into chaos t omorrow if it spared their houses. I was one with them now, one with the smooth articles who said:“I’m sorry but business is business.”。
美国文学之了不起的盖茨比中英文知识讲解
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Life and Career Literary Characteristics The Great Gatsby
Life and Literary Career
Jazz Age and the Roaring
Twenties
The Jazz Age describes the period after the end of World War I, through the Roaring Twenties, ending with the onset of the Great Depression.
Romantic Egoist ; falling in love with Zelda Sayre Discharged from the army in 1919; going to New York Returning to St. Paul; publishing This Side of Paradise in 1920 Getting married; going to New York; Flappers and Philosophers and Tales of the Jazz Age published in 1920 and 1922 respectively
剧本：《美女和被诅咒的人》、《伟大的盖茨比》、 《生死同心》、《女人》、《乱世佳人》、《居里 夫人》、 《夜色温柔》 《我最后一次看到巴黎》、 《绮梦初艳》等
长篇小说：《最后一个大亨》、《明智的事》、 《了不起的盖茨比》、《夜色温柔》、《人间天堂》 等
新人教版高中英语选修八强化练习：unit 4 section 2(含答案)
Unit 4 PygmalionSection ⅡLearning about LanguageⅠ.单词拼写1．Believers of ________ (佛教) still come here for their ________ (宗教的) services.2．The palace is full of priceless ________ (古玩)．3．Those boys intended to ________ (抢劫) the main post office.4．She likes to wear silk ________ (长袜)．5．His ________ (音乐的)skill was so brilliant that he won scholarships.答案：1.Buddhism; religious 2.antiques 3.rob 4.stockings 5.musicalⅡ.根据汉语提示用含过去分词的表达完成下列句子(每空一词)1．________ ________________ ________ ________ (在夜晚看时), lights on top of tall buildings look like stars in the sky.2．________ ________ ________ ________ ________ (对他所做的事情很满意), the teacher praised him in class.3．________ ________ ________ (即使训练) for 10 hours every day, he will still be a fool.4．________ ________ (一旦出版), this book will be popular with the students.5．________ ________ (被抢了) all his money, he had to telephone his parents for help.答案：1.When seen in the evening 2.Satisfied with what he did 3.Even if trained 4.Once published 5.Robbed ofⅢ.用所给动词的正确形式填空1．Now once ________ (teach) by me, she'd become an upper class lady.2．Once ________ (educate) to speak properly, that girl could pass herself off in three months as a duchess.3．________ (write) in a hurry, this article had some mistakes.4．________ (accept) by the Party, he decided to devote his life to the cause of the Party.5．She walked out of the house, ________ (follow) by her little daughter.答案：1.taught cated 3.Written 4.Accepted 5.followedⅣ.单项填空1．(2018·安徽)________ in the early 20th century, the school keeps on inspiring children's love of art.A．To found B．FoundingC．Founded D．Having founded答案：C 本题考查非谓语动词。
电影葛底斯堡战役开始的英文描述
The Battle of Gettysburg, which took place from July 1 to July 3, 1863, was a decisive turning point in the American Civil War. The battle saw the Union Army of the Potomac,manded by Major General George G. Meade, clash with the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, led by General Robert E. Lee. The battle was fought in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and resulted in a Union victory and a devastating blow to the Confederate war effort.1. BackgroundThe Battle of Gettysburg was the culmination of Lee's second invasion of the North. In June 1863, Lee's army crossed into Pennsylvania with the hope of relieving the pressure on the war-torn South and securing a significant victory on Northern soil. The Confederate army had experienced a series of successes in the Eastern Theater, and Lee believed that a major victory in the North could potentially force the Union to seek a negotiated peace.2. The clash at GettysburgThe battle began on July 1, when Confederate forces clashed with Union cavalry units west of Gettysburg. The fighting quickly escalated, drawing in infantry units from both sides. The firstday of battle saw the Union forces initially pushed back, but they managed to establish a strong defensive position on Cemetery Hill and Culp's Hill to the south of Gettysburg.On July 2, both armies reinforced their positions and prepared for a large-scale engagement. The fighting raged throughout the day, with intense and bloodybat taking place at locations such as Little Round Top, the Peach Orchard, and Devil's Den. The Union army ag本人n managed to hold its ground, despite being heavily pressed by the Confederate forces.The third and final day of the battle saw the infamous "Pickett's Charge," a massive assault by Confederate infantry ag本人nst the center of the Union line on Cemetery Ridge. The charge, named after General George Pickett, was a desperate attempt to break the Union defenses and secure victory for the Confederacy. However, the attack was repulsed with heavy casualties, and Lee was forced to retreat back to Virginia.3. The aftermathThe Battle of Gettysburg was a costly and bloody aff本人r, with an estimated 51,000 casualties on both sides. The Union army suffered around 23,000 casualties, while the Confederate armysust本人ned approximately 28,000. Despite the Confederate retreat, the Union victory at Gettysburg was a significant turning point in the war. It marked the furthest point of Lee's advance into the North and dashed any hopes of a Confederate victory on Northern soil.The Battle of Gettysburg had far-reaching implications for the Civil War. It bolstered the morale of the Union army and the Northern populace, and it also prompted President Abraham Lincoln to deliver his famous Gettysburg Address, in which he reaffirmed the principles of liberty and equality espoused in the Declaration of Independence. Furthermore, the defeat at Gettysburg severely weakened the Confederate war effort and set the stage for future Union offensives that would ultimately lead to the collapse of the Confederacy.In conclusion, the Battle of Gettysburg was a pivotal moment in the history of the United States. The three-day conflict showcased the immense human cost of the Civil War and the resilience of the Union army in the face of overwhelming odds. The battle's legacy endures to this day, as Gettysburg rem本人ns a hallowed ground and a symbol of the sacrifices made during the conflict.。
论文论《了不起的盖茨比》中美国梦的破灭
论文论《了不起的盖茨比》中美国梦的破灭从《了不起的盖茨比》看美国梦的破灭摘要：弗朗西斯·司各特·菲茨杰拉尔德是美国“爵士时代”的代言人，他在其代表作《了不起的盖茨比》中以细腻的笔触表现了二十世纪二十年代美国的风貌，用主人公盖茨比的悲剧人生隐喻了“美国梦”的虚幻及其不可企及性，揭示了“美国梦”破灭的必然规律。
论文从作者和小说人物分析着手，通过对《了不起的盖茨比》的写作背景，作者自身的经历、故事的主要内容、小说主人公盖茨比之梦的破灭等多方面的分析和解剖,深刻地揭示了“美国梦”的发展与破灭。
本文第一部分简要介绍了菲茨杰拉尔德和他的小说《了不起的盖茨比》, 以及小说的社会和文化背景；第二部分介绍美国梦，包括它的定义，起源和内涵；第三部分分析美国梦及其破灭的原因；最后一部分我总结了一下这本小说，并提出了自己的观点。
关键词：了不起的盖茨比美国梦破灭爵士时代Analysis of the disillusion of American dream from" The Great Gatsby"Abstract: Francis ? Scott Fitzgerald, a spokesman of "the Jazz Age" in the United States.In his masterpiece,"The Great Gatsby”, he uses delicate brush strokes to show the style of American in the 1920s. Hero Gatsby's tragic life, as a metaphor for the illusory and entertainment of the "American Dream", reveals the inexorable law of the disillusion of "American dream".The paper begins with the analysis of the author and characters of the novel, which profoundly reveals the development and disillusion of “The American Dream” by analyzing and anatomizing writing background of "The Great Gatsby”, the author's own experience, the main content of the story, novel leading character Gatsby’s shattered dream andother aspects.The first part of this paper briefly introduces the Fitzgerald and his novel "The Great Gatsby", and the social and cultural background of the novel; the second part introduces the "American dream", including its definition, origin and connotation; the t hird part analyzes “the American dream” and its bursting reasons; At last, I summarize this novel and present my own point of view on the issue.Key words: the great Gatsby, the American dream, disillusion, Jazz ageCONTENTS摘要 (I)Abstract..... ............................................................................... ........................ ........ II Chapter One Introduction (I)1.1 Introduction of Scott Fitzgerald and his novel " The Great Gatsby" (1)1.1.1 Introduction of Scott Fitzgerald (1)1.2.2 Introduction of the novel " The Great Gatsby (1)1.2 Introduction of social and cultural background of the novel (2)Chapter T wo Introduction of American Dream (3)2.1 The definition of American dream (3)2.2 The origin of American dream (4)2.2.1 The traditional American dream (4)2.2.2 The American dream in 20th century (4)2.3 The connotation of American dream in different historical background (5)2.3.1 The American dream from 18th to 19th century (5)2.3.2 The American dream after Industrialization (6)2.3.3 The American dream in 21st century (6)2.4 The different interpretation to American dream (7)Chapter Three Analysis of the disillusion of American dream and its bursting reason...................................................................................(8)3.1 The disillusion of love (8)3.2 The disillusion of wealth................................................................................. .93.3 The disillusion of status (9)3.4 The bursting reason of American dream (10)3.4.1 From the point of view of the hero (10)3.4.2 From the point of view of the whole society and age (11)Chapter Four Conclusion (13)References (14)Acknowledgements (15)Chapter One Introduction1.1 Introduction of Scott Fitzgerald and his novel "The Great Gatsby"1.1.1 Introduction of Scott FitzgeraldFitzgerald was born in1896 into a St .Paul middle –class family .His father was gentlemanly but unsuccessful in business .Scott had an expensive education first in private schools ,and then at Princeton ,where he became part of the intellectual set ,the Triangle Club ,which included ,among others ,Edmund Wilson. He began to write for the shows of the club, became editor of a university magazine, and was developing a reputation .He felt that he was heading for the upper class life in which he would play a leading part as a writer.Then he had to leave Princeton ,probably partly because of his academic record that had suffered from his illness and from too heavy an extra-curriculum schedule and also because the First World War that was going on offered him a good excuse to stay away for a while . A year’s absence from the university wounded his pride and ambition so that it ironed itself into his consciousness as one of the major disappointments he suffered in his short, unhappy life .He returned to Princeton only to stay for another year in which he managed to finish the draft of his first novel, the Side of Paradise. Then in 1922, Fitzgerald finished his second novel, The Beautiful and the Damned. The Beautiful and the Damned is interesting especially as a sort of first attempt as writing is not as great .Meanwhile, the Fitzgerald were living, on the proceeds of Scott’s books and stories, the life of the people who go to Gatsby’s crazy parties. In 1925, he wrote his masterpiece, The Great Gatsby in Pairs. The Fitzgerald had gone there from Y ork and met Hemingway and Gertrude Stein, among others. (Referring to 美国文学史，第三版，南开大学出版社)1.1.2 Introduction of the novel "The Great Gatsby"" The Great Gatsby" is one of the most representative works of Fitzgerald. At the end of 20th Century, the United States academic authority selected the one hundred best novels in hundreds of years of history of English Literature," The Great Gatsby" enjoyed popular confidence, topping the second, and were proudly among the contemporary and classic ranks. The novel is use of impressionistic description, its style is of both warm and cool, and it has played an indispensable role in the history of literature of the world for the status of Fitzgerald.This novel is narrated by Nick, a young bachelor who returns to the Midwest before setting to the New Y ork City. Daisy, theheroine, is Nick’s second cousin and Nick knows of her husband, Tom. With the development of the novel, Nick knows that his next-door neighbor is the wealthy Gatsby，who always hosting lavish parties of hundreds of peoples, Jordan Baker takes interests in Nick, and he reveals that In 1917 Gatsby as Army Lieutenant stationed near Daisy’s hometown and then had fallen in love with Daisy. But Gatsby had no money to marry Daisy, so Daisy wasmarried to the wealthy T om, after that Gatsby is aiming to be a millionaire. With few years of smuggling, Gatsby accumulates a great amount of wealth. He would like Nick to arrange a meeting with Daisy, and Nick agrees to invite Gatsby and Daisy to his house, so they begin a love affair again. But actually, Daisy only treats this relationship as an exciting game. Daisy invites Gatsby and Nick to her mansion and Tom finds that Gatsby loves Daisy. Tom knows Daisy’s nature very well. And by taking away Daisy’s financial security, Tom thinks that Daisy is no w beyond his reach. Because of the situation between them, Daisy runs out of the hotel and Gatsby follows her into his car. Daisy insists on driving because it will calm her moods. But in the later Daisy knocks down and kills Myrtle, Tom’s mistress. Gatsby absolve Daisy from her guilty to protect her. After that Tom talks into Myrtle’s husband to shoot Gatsby dead. So the magic bubble of love and dreams broke up. Despite Nick’s efforts, only Gatsby’s father, a woman and Nick attend his funeral. Discussing with Tom and Daisy, Nick returns to his hometown, reflecting on Gatsby’s dreams and cyclical nature of the past.1.2 Introduction of social and cultural background of the novelIt's a special era in the history of the United States when theWorld War I (1918) ended; the Great Depression (1929) was not yet to come. During pre-war of the world warⅠ, the United States profiteered. In the post-war, it won a precious opportunity of developing economy. Due to the cruelty of the war, many people had doubtable attitude towards the traditional values, such as honor, democracy, freedom and lost faith, thus indulging in pleasure. In addition, traditional Puritan ethics disintegrated, and hedonism began to flourish. The economy of the U.S experienced a rapid development of the postwar and dramatic change that the crash of New Y ork stock market brought, so the economy of U.S has experienced recession for10 years. Affluent and easy life in the post-war made people dizzy in the bustle. While at this time, American intellectuals had fled, and spent his lonely youth in pain and confusion.What's more, it was a changeable and rebellious era when the younger generation finally chose to break with tradition. In Fitzgerald's words, "That is a miraculous era and an era full of mockery." Fitzgerald called this era the "Jazz Age".At that time, with the introduction of radio and the end of the war, jazz and dance emerged. Jazz became an entirely new cultural movement in places, such as the United States, England and France. Cities, such as New Y ork and Chicago, were cultural centers of jazz. In urban areas, African American jazz was played on the radio more often than in the suburbs. The youth of 1920s, influenced by jazz, rebelled against the traditional culture of previous generations.Chapter Two Introduction of American Dream2.1 The definition of American DreamThe term, "American dream" was first used by James Truslow Adams in his book "The Epic of American" which was written in1931. The American Dream is a dream that had land where every one could live a better and richer and fuller life. What’s more, everyone had opportunity to match ability with achievement.It is a difficult dream for the European upper classes to interpret adequately, and too many of us have grown wearily and mistrusted it. It is not merely a dream of motor cars or high wages, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain the fullest stature and be recognized by others for who they are, regardless of the condition or position of birth."The so-called American Dream is a kind of belief that as long as people went through a hard struggle in the United States, they will be able to achieve a better ideal life. That is, people must work diligently, courageously, creatively, and have determination to success, rather than rely on a particular social class and the assistance of others. This usually showed the economic success of people or entrepreneur’s spirit. Many Euro pean immigrants which having the ideal of American dream moved towards the United States. Despite some criticized the American dream excessively emphasized on the role of material wealth played in the measure of victory and happiness. But many Americans really believed that such an opportunity to get success cannot be found in the world. As different from the most other countries, the United States had considerable economic freedom; the role of government is limited, making the U.S. has a great social mobility. Any person may go towards the top through their own efforts. From Independence of the United States to the end of the 19th century, large areas of land were uninhabited and unoccupied by people. Anyone could occupy, invest and reclaim to lands. By the time of the Industrial Revolution, the hugenatural resources of United States and advanced industrial technology made rapid social mobility possible, and this trend is still increasing day by day.According to the historians, they think that the reason why the economy of the United States rapidly develops and industry expand is not just because the United States has rich natural resources, but also because everyone has the opportunity to get wealth through their own struggle .2.2 The origin of American Dream2.2.1 The traditional American DreamThe term “American Dream” is first used by American writer and historian James Truslow Adams in his book The Epic of America written in 1931.He defined American Dream as "dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, everyone has an opportunity according to their ability or achievement"(James Truslow Adams, 1980) . Oneimportant feature of the definition is that everyone agrees with the equality of opportunity in succeeding, regardless of social class and circumstance of birth. The archetype of American Dream is Benjamin Franklin who is one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Without noble birth and top education, Franklin learned almost everything and succeeded in many aspects, including literature, science, philosophy and politics. Benjamin Franklin pioneered the spirit of self-help in America (Jim Powell, 1997). In the Declaration of Independence, there is a sentence which has been called one of the most famous sentences in the English language goes like this: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, including the right to life, liberty and the right of the pursuit ofHappiness. This sentence also represents a concept that everyone is born equal and has inalienable rights in pursuing freedom and happiness. Influenced by Dr Franklin, more and more Americans believe that in the country of equality, one can obtain both physical and spiritual wealth through one’s efforts. On the other hand, the American Dream may come from the ideals of the first group of immigrates. When settlers come to a land full of vitality and freedom, they have dreams to turn the land into their paradise. At that time, American Dream was equal to the ownership of farm, thus lead to the Westward Movement.2.2.2 The American Dream in 20th centuryIn 1920s, the American society enjoyed economic prosperity after the World War I. Such as automobiles, moving pictures and radio, these new inventions and discoveries were made significant changes to lifestyle and culture. Unprecedented industrial growth and accelerated consumer demand made the era known as “the Roaring Twenties”. The American Dream at that time has gradually changed into money-making. The Roaring Twenties is an age of explosion of social wealth and billionaire, but also is an age of spiritual poverty. Y oung generations suffered from the trauma of body and spirit; because of war they lose confidence to future. The urban society is full of depravity and corruption, consumerism and materialism become the major theme of the American Dream. People like Gatsby used all means to make money despite of moral and legal standards. From all that mentioned above, the definition of the "American Dream" has changed over the development of history. But it still acts as a core value in America and influences people from generation to generation.2.3 The connotation of American Dream in different historicalbackground300 years ago, when England emigrants to Maryland cross the Atlantic by the "May flower" and when they were looking for a piece of "pure land" in which the Puritans can lived, American Dream" has begun to quietly sprout. The United States gave everyone of the world an equal opportunity. Y ou can realize their dream as long as you work hard enough.300 years later, it has become powerful county. However," American Dream" did not die, but it has more" connotation" with the changes of history.W hat is the" American Dream"? “Many historians and sociologists have different perspectives, and different Americans have different interpretation.But generally speaking, the "American dream" includes several elements: the United States offered the chances of success for everyone. Success depends on their talents and efforts, rather than family and the background. Everyone has equal rights. Everyone has freedom of brief......These elements are inextricably linked with the history and must also be combined with the background." said Lang Mailer.2.3.1 The American Dream from 18th to 19th centuryAmerican dream in 18th-19th century is the original dream of land and gold. From 18th to 19th century, the nobility had not quit the stage of history. Social hierarchy was stern, and the distribution of wealth was inequitable, religious discrimination was serious in Europe. Montesquieu, Descartes and so many pioneers of the enlightenment movement began to praise American magical land, which sparked the "American dream" of the vulnerable groups. Immigrants which came to the United States in 18th century were vulnerable groups from Europe. Themost typical people are the Puritan of England and bankrupt small farmers of Germany. When they came to America which was still a colony, their requirements for political equality were particularly strong, and they also spontaneously carried out democracy. Thus, the "equal rights" has become a connotation of the "American dream".Mailer explained, "Everyone can succeed." Due to the vast land and small population in the early American, immigrants can get a large area of fertile land. At that time, the United States is based on agricultural economy, it is self-evident that the "land means wealth, and means success". As the western American found many gold mine in the end of the 18th century and early 19th century, and some lucky started became rich overnight because mining the gold, the legend of the "wave of gold rush" promoted the tide of immigration westward, but also casted a deep golden color for the "American dream".However, there is a bloody history behind of "American dream. The large tracts of land of European immigrants were "stateless place" and they got through killing millions of Indians; Most of cultivators of productive farmland were slaves which looting from Africa; the labors which mining gold in the westward were the drudgery of Chinese .It can be said that the early "American Dream" is European immigrants’ dream. Mailer pointed out that many of the contempor ary American history scholars are facing and reflecting this period of history, which is unjust side of the "American dream".2.3.2 The American Dream after IndustrializationDuring the Civil War, the United States began the industrialization. European immigrants mostly accessed to New Y ork, Chicago, Detroit and other emerging industrial city. Then,the "American Dream" has a new connotation. During that period, there were a lot of commercial and industrial giants. For example, Edison who depended on personal invention and created the General Electric Company, Rockefeller who mined oil, Morgan who was engaged in the bank, and Ford who invented the automobile production line. Their common characteristic is: first they are poor, but finally they founded their big career through hard work and became a legend. Perhaps, these "legend" were beautified more or less by later generations. Even the so-called "the invention of Edison” also was the results of many his assistants. Mailer thought that, at that time the United States has been in a period of rapid economic expansion. Before the first World War, the United States has became the most strongest country of economic power in the world and the domestic economy operation is in a stages of change " from disorderly to orderly" ,and the various industries appeared wealthy oligarchs.2.3.3 The American Dream in 21st centuryIn the information era of 21st century, Microsoft's Bill Gates, yahoo's jerry Y ang and Google's director, these three founders turned into new idols of the "American dream". By virtue of their own wisdom, they accumulated the huge assets of billions of dollars when they were young. Their living story seems to indicate that as long as there is wisdom and genius, you can succeed in the United States.What is the real driving force behind the "American dream"? Some historians believe that it is the desire and chase for wealth. "The pursuit of money is the same ingredients in the 'American Dream'". However, it is exactly that over pursuit of wealth that makes the "American Dream" turn sour and gradually lost its appeal to people around the world. If the early Americans alsoadvocate “honesty and diligence" to get rich, today they are increasingly keen to pursuit of "getting rich quick". For example, now Americans mostly respected the way to which gets rich is: to fight lawsuit for compensation with the big enterprises, to go gambling or to buy lottery tickets in the Las V egas, and to take part in a television game.Early Europeans immigrated to the United States believed in the equality of political rights and religious equality. Today, the American politics has evolved into a money game. V osel did not deny that success of the success of Bush family in the American politics is "the success of oil and money ". In the field of religion, the freedom advocated by the United States was limited in all denominations of Christian, and the Islam which rarely has little money to support and was only in the position of extremely weakness in the United States.In changing times, the appeal of the "American dream" to the world may be less andless.The hegemony and monopoly of American in the world politics causes many foreigners to be full of offensive as soon as they mention the word "American". An anti-terrorism bill block the way of a lot of immigrants into the United States; the speculation of economy make the common person forever fear their wealth suddenly disappears.2.4 The different interpretation to American dreamAmerican dream is not only a kind of version; some writers give the readers a new enlightenment from different perspectives. “the Grapes of Wrath" written by John Steinbeck described that the hero had to be forced to leave his hometown under the background of the" Great Depression" and drought. However, the exploitation to labor still makes their lives more distressed."Native Son" of Richard White and the" invisible man" of Ralph Ellison reflect the poverty and racism that discourage the people from the opportunity of the pursuit of development. "The Street "of Ann peltry recognizes the hardships of black mothers’raising children. From the point of view of the great social and age background, it is just a microscopic and idealized perspective that people will be able to realize the dream only through personal struggle. "Seize the Day" of Saul Bellow tells the story that the hero did not achieve the American dream, but realized his own growth. Compared with the traditional sense of American dream, a meaningful life is a better dream. The writer of “The house on Mango Street" , Sandra Cisneros ,expressed the desire for freedom, no ethnic discrimination, no sexual discrimination and a thinking of women’s pursuit of dreams through the point of view of a little girl. For women, the connotation of "a house truly belonging to their own" is richer.Chapter Three Analysis of the disillusion of American dream and itsbursting reasonAs the great depression in the 1930's put the prosperity and vanity of" Jazz Age" to an end, the failure of Gatsby finally showed that the so-called American dream is a false image. Though Gatsby lived in a seemingly extravagant life, he never successfully achieved their ultimate goal, that is to say, he lost all aspects: love, wealth and status.3.1 The disillusion of loveThe "American dream" of Gatsby was presented in his "love dream”. He believe d that money could buy Daisy's love. The reason why he was attracted by Daisy is that money decorated her as a noble princess, keeping her away from humble,unsecured life connected with poor. And thiskind of life was Gatsby familiar with in teens. As a farmers' child, the vanity of Gatsby satisfied greatly owing to staying with Daisy's, which shows his potential. He could become a rich man and a member of the high society with his own efforts. Loving a rich lady gave him great courage and driving force moving forward. However, Daisy did not Love him as deeply as he had imagined, she was just enveloped an ideal circle by his desire and his selfless love.Five years later, sometimes even if he was sure that Daisy whom he missed the day and night was not as beautiful as he imaged. But his dream beyond all, in this kind support of fantasy, Gatsby wanted to regain Daisy's heart. In fact, the determinations and motivations he wanted to regain Daisy were not from the unforgotten of Daisy, but from the call from heart to make dreams come true and his strong desire for bright future. Here, Daisy is the "love dream" of Gatsby. He put his ideal of life on Daisy, while Gatsby just chose a wrong object. Daisy is just a girl who heavily values money and status rather than love, so she only can represent illusory and worthless things. She can't be the embodiment of love and happiness, and could not bring meaning and sati sfaction to Gatsby’s life. Dais y met Gatsby again, and renewed old friendships with him, but she jointly planed Gatsby’s death with her husband. Her final selfishness, the ultimate betrayal, all these were inevitable. Daisy chose the latter between Gatsby and Tom, because the latter can provide her more stable, secure and comfortable life for her. "They are rich and cruel people. It is their maxim to destroy the others but to protect themselves.Although their world was not harmonious, the two peoplehad “little nonsense", they were partners of the same faction. If a third people threatened their Common security, it was natural for them to league to unanimously resist outside after a moment's discussion, Faced with cruel reality, Gatsby's dream was destroyed, and his efforts ended with failure. He finally realized that the past time could not come back; the unrealized dream was difficult to review. Therefore, his dreams, his soul and his body died together.In Gatsby's mind, Daisy was beautiful and pure, who symbolized all the virtues of American high society. Gatsby regarded Daisy as the incarnation of his pursuit of beauty, and then the tragedy of his life' started. In fact, his efforts to pursue the so-called beauty were alienated by money. It is not significant but tragic that he spared no efforts to realize dream. In the end, love in expense of life disil lusioned, while” America dream" of Gatsby was shattered.3.2 The disillusion of wealthThe “American Dream"of Gatsby also shows in his "wealth dream". Te former name of Gatsby known as “Jay G ats", his parents were crops person of mediocrity, he was eager to get rid of poverty ,and ranked among the upper class of society. At the age of 17years old, Gats met a man who named Dan Cody, and got fortune by the illegal behaviors. Little Gats admired him very much, and then he changed his name into Gatsby and followed Cody. Gatsby took the ideal focused on the acquiring of wealth. Because when Dan Cody was sober, he knew if he was drunk, he would do many stupid things, like profligacy. So he grew to trust Gatsby in order to prevent this kind of accidents from happening. After Dan Cody died, Gatsby used his heritage which was gained from Dan Cody to illegal sale private wine, andamassed a large of fortune.But for Gatsby no matter how rich, he still tried to blend in the upper circles which he has long wanted, just because of his humble birth. Finally, he has become their excellent material of suspicion and rumors for the upper class of the so-called celebrities. As constantly suspicion of people, his illegal businesses were eventually exposed by Tom. He worked hard to create material wealth, and it did not help him achieve pursuit, his dream of wealth was shattered. After Gatsby was died, the former guests did not show up in his funeral which Nick held for him, bleak and desolate in the funeral and hustle and bustle of the former party were clearly constituted a sharp contrast, it showed that he did not get the recognition of the upper class.3.3 The disillusion of statusAlthough during that time freedom and equality have been advocated, the social hierarchy was still exists. Jay Gatsby made all efforts to squeeze into the upper class, and he became to be admired and respected by other people. He wants everything that a man of noble birth has: a large amount of money, a splendid mansion and a satisfactory marriage. After he obtains these things, he gains money at all costs, he hosts party frequently in his mansion to show his riches, and he pursues Daisy as a qualified wife for a decent man. The description in Chapter three gives us a vivid picture about the extravagance of Gatsby’s life: There was music from my neighbor’s house through the summer nights. In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whispering and champagne and the stars … (F. Scott Fitzgerald, 1993 .26) Besides showing off his wealth, he even changed his name to cover up his humble birth. When Nick asked about his life, he。
美国文学史及选读(下册)
--- Romantic Poetry
Whitman and Dickinson
• Whitman and Dickinson • Similarities: Both of them were distinctively American poets in theme and technique. Both of them were part of American Renaissance. • A. Themes: both praised in their different ways, an emergent America, its expansion, its individualism, and its Americanness. • B. Techniques: breaking free of the poetic tradition and pioneering American modernist poetry with their poetic innovation. • Differences: • A. Whitman kept his eye on society at large while Dickinson explored the inner life of the self and individual. • B. Whereas Whitman is national in his outlook, Dickinson is regional. • C. In formal terms, Whitman is characterized by his endless, allinclusive catalogs while Dickinson by her concise, direct, and simple diction and syntax.
Causes of the collapse od the Rome
Causes & Effects of the Collapse of the Roman EmpireBy Alex Saez, eHow Contributor∙∙∙∙Print this articleThe Roman Empire's fall shaped human history.The Roman Empire was a notable part of human history. While it prospered for more than 700 years, its collapse in 476 A.D. can be tied to several internal and external causes. With Rome gone, the transition was far from easy, forcing the world to reinvent itself during a long period.Other People Are Reading∙What Causes Stretch Marks?∙What Causes Hair Tangling, Breakage & Frizz?1.The Beginning of the Endo The Roman Empire did not collapse overnight. First, it became divided between the East, under Constantinople and the West, ruled by several different leaders.This double-reign was a new concept that weakened the empire. Infighting over leadership and decaying government strength helped set the stage for othergroups such as the Greeks and Byzantines to become uncooperative. With itsfoundations weakened, outside powers were also able to cripple the Romans.Barbarianso External military threats were a major cause of Rome's fall, and its effects spread across the empire. During its days of prosperity and conquest, many of Rome's enemies were scattered tribes who lived in a small number of villages. After Rome was divided, a powerful group known as the Huns began moving west, theirnumbers growing with captured prisoners and new allies. People from all walks of life were eager to reap the rewards of war. They kept the pressure on the Roman Empire while nations such as Russia became powerful and sophisticated. What used to be barbarian villages in Germany soon turned into 2,300 walled towns and cities. Out of these rose the countries of Denmark, Sweden and Poland.Meanwhile, groups such as the Arabs and Saracens of India and Spain sat inanger and contempt. Once its enemies united, the Roman Empire wassurrounded with new competition without the proper leadership to address it.o Sponsored LinksDay trips from RomeCustomized tours from Rome with driver guidesEconomic Problemso The Roman economy was affected by weak currency and high inflation. With all the money going toward national defense, taxes were raised to compensate. Few people actually got a chance to enjoy Rome's prosperity. The value of Romanmoney plummeted to the point that bartering was preferable to paying for goods.Also, many Romans lost their jobs because of cheaper slave labor. As a result, the government subsidized the working class. Many workers chose to simply live off of these subsidies, costing the government even more money.Over-expansiono A big reason for the Roman Empire's collapse was the geographical extent of its military conquest. Rome's constant expansion required more resources andmanpower to defend its borders. Additionally, conquered civilizations hated the Romans, so rebellions were a constant problem. All of these issues requiredmammoth military spending and recruitment. Manpower became so scarce that even conquered societies were allowed to join the ranks. In turn, this gavebarbarians intimate knowledge of Roman battle tactics.Effectso Regardless of the reasons, Rome had a profound impact on the world. When Rome's infrastructure fell, so did the quality of life. What followed were the Dark Ages that can be grouped into two separate eras. The first went until 700 A.D.because of the destruction of trade and infrastructure. After a brief revival, asecond decline took place around 1000 A.D. due to invasions by Vikings from Scandinavia and Magyars from Hungary. Essentially, whatever stability thatRome provided was gone, and many new nations had to build themselves on their own.。
2022考研英语阅读两个半场的竞赛
2022考研英语阅读两个半场的竞赛EVEN people who dont normally care much forfootball tune in to the Super Bowl to watch the bestcommercials Madison Avenue can dream up. Themost talked about this year was Chryslers grittytribute to the economic revival of America andDetroit. More short film than commercial, it endswith the actor Clint Eastwood huskily declaring thatOur second half is about to begin.超级碗开头时，就连平常不关注橄榄球的人们也纷纷转台，观看角逐间隙美国广告界独运匠心的作品。
今年，克莱斯勒汽车公司的广告让观众津津乐道，特殊是广告中向美国及汽车之城底特律的经济复苏致以的崇高敬意。
与其称之为广告，倒不如将它归为一部微电影。
最终，它以演员克林特伊斯特伍德嘶哑磁性的声音结尾：我们的下半场立刻拉开帷幕。
The muscular patriotism brought lumps to the throats of sentimental viewers; the morecynically minded called it a re-election ad for Barack Obama, whose administration savedChrysler from oblivion with a bail-out in 20xx. A better explanation may simply be timing:it coincides with the best evidence in months that Americas economy, led by manufacturing,really is on the mend.广告中流露的熊熊爱国心使不少感性观众哽咽欲泣;相比之下，持怀疑态度的人则认为这是贝拉克奥巴马的连任竞选广告，由于20xx年奥巴马政府以紧急资助资金从遗忘中挽救了克莱斯勒。
The-Fall-of-the-House-of-Usher《鄂谢府崩溃记》《厄舍古屋的倒塌》-中文译版
The Fall of the House of Usher《鄂谢府崩溃记》/《厄舍古屋的倒塌》【中文译版】[爱伦·坡著]他的心脏像是一个悬挂着的琴箱，稍一碰触便发出音乐的鸣响。
——贝朗瑞在这年秋天的一个沉淡、阴暗、寂静的白日，天上的云彩低垂。
整整一天我独自一人骑着马走过乡下一大片极为凄凉的土地，暮色降临时，我终于看见了那阴沉的厄舍古厦。
不知怎么搞的，我一看到这幢房子，就不由产生出一种难以忍受的忧郁感。
我说难以忍受，是由于这种感情中没有半点美的味道，要知道，即使是最荒凉、最可怕的自然景象，在人们心中也往往会引起一种近乎诗意的感伤，而我现在的忧郁感中却毫无诗意可言。
我望着前面的景象——望着这幢房子和它周围的地貌，望着光秃秃的墙壁，望着眼睛般的窗户，望着那一排排蓑草，望着那几株死树的白树干，心中极感压抑。
这感觉就如同吸足鸦片的人从美梦中醒来，重新回到冰冷的现实中一样。
我心里冰凉冰凉的，心猛地往下一沉，感到一阵恶心——不论运用何种崇高的想象力，这种忧郁感都是无法驱散的。
我不由想到：这是怎么了？为什么我一看到厄舍古厦心里便极为别扭？这是一个难解之谜，我无法解释为什么我一想到它便心中充满种种阴沉的想象。
我只好得出一个十分牵强的结论：一方面，毫无疑问，自然景物这种组合，确实产生了一种力量，可以影响人的情绪，而另一方面，对于这种组合的感受和分析，却应该是因人而异，寓于人本身的思考当中的。
我想到，假如把眼前的这些景物重新安排一下，它们的压抑性很可能就会大大减弱，甚至完全消除。
这样一想，我便策马来到池塘陡峭的边缘，观看灰色的蓑草、丑陋的枯树干，和那眼睛般空洞洞的窗口，我心中忽然打一个冷战，情绪变得比刚才更为压抑。
然而，我却将在这幢阴沉的古厦中住上几个星期。
它的主人罗德里克·厄舍从小就是我的好朋友，但是现在我俩已经许多年未曾谋面了。
最近我收到了一封来自远方乡下的信——一封来自他的信，一封纠缠着我、必须我亲自答复的信。