世纪大学英语读写教程第三册unit.pptx
The Titanic Puzzle Should a good feminist accept priority seating on a lifeboat?By Charles Krauthammer1Youre on the Titanic II. It has just hit an iceberg and is sinking. And, as last time, there are not enough lifeboats. The captain shouts, “Women and children first!” But this time, another voice is heard: “Why women?”第1页/共99页2Why, indeed? Part of the charm of the successful movie Titanic are the period costumes, the period extravagance, and the period prejudices. An audience can enjoy these at a distance. Oddly, however, of all the period attitudes in the film, the old maritime tradition of “women and children first” enjoys total acceptance by modern audiences. Listen to the audience boo at the bad guys who try to sneak on the lifeboats with or ahead of the ladies.第2页/共99页3But is not grouping women with children a raging anachronism? Should not any self-respecting modern person, let alone feminist, object to it as insulting to women?4Yet its usage is as common today as it was in 1912. Consider these examples taken almost at random from recent newspapers:5“The invaders gunned down the Indians, most of them women and children .”6“As many as 200 civilians, most of them women and children, were killed .”第3页/共99页7“At the massacre in Ahmici 103 Muslims, including 33 women and children, were killed .”8At a time when women fly combat aircraft and run multi-national corporations, how can one not wince when adult women are routinely classed with children? In Ahmici, it seems, 70 adult men were killed. And how many adult women? Not clear. When things get serious, when blood starts to flow or ships start to sink, youll find them with the children.第4页/共99页9Children are entitled to special consideration for two reasons: helplessness and innocence. They have not yet acquired either the faculty of reason or the wisdom of experience. Consequently, they are defenseless (incapable of fending for themselves) and blameless (incapable of real sin). Thats why we grant them special protection. In an emergency, it is our duty to save them first because they, helpless, have put their lives in our hands. And in wartime, they are supposed to be protected by special immunity because they can have threatened or offended no one.第5页/共99页10 The phrase “women and children” attributes to women the same dependence and moral simplicity we find in five-year-olds. Such an attitude perhaps made sense in an era dominated by male privilege. Given the disabilities attached to womanhood in 1912, it was only fair that a new standard of gender equality not suddenly be proclaimed just as lifeboat seats were being handed out. That deference a somewhat more urgent variation on giving up your seat on the bus to a woman complemented and perhaps to some extent compensated for the legal and social constraints placed on women at the time.第6页/共99页11 But in our era of extensive social restructuring to grant women equality in education, in employment, in government, in athletics, what entitles women to the privileges and reduces them to the status of children? 12 Evolutionary psychologists might say that ladies-to-the-lifeboats is an instinct that developed to perpetuate the species: Women are indispensable child-bearers. You can repopulate a village if the women survive and only a few of the men, but not if the men survive and only a few of the women. Women being more precious, biologically speaking, than men, evolution has conditioned us to give them the kind of life-protecting deference we give to that other seed of the future: kids.第7页/共99页13 The problem with this kind of logic, however, is its depressing reductionism. Its like a serious version of the geneticists old joke that a chicken is just an eggs way of making another egg. But humans are more than just egg-layers. And traditional courtesies are more than just disguised survival strategies. So why do we say “women and children”? 14 Perhaps its really “women for children.” The most basic parental bond is maternal. Equal parenting is great, but women, from breast to cradle to reassuring hug, can nurture in ways that men cannot. And thus, because we value children, women should go second. The children need them.第8页/共99页15 But kiddie-centrism gets you only so far. What if there are no children on board? You are on the Titanic III, and this time its a singles cruise. No kids, no parents. Now: Iceberg! Lifeboats! Action!16 Heres my scenario. The men, out of sheer irrational heroism, should let the women go first. And the women, out of sheer feminist self-respect, should refuse.17 Result? Stalemate. How does this movie end? How should it end? Hurry, the ships going down. 第9页/共99页Paraphrase?Key Suppose you find yourself in a similar situation to that of the Titanic.Youre on the Titanic II.第10页/共99页At 2:20 AM on April 15, 1912, the Titanic, then the worlds largest and most luxurious ocean liner, disappeared into the icy depthsof the North Atlantic. With hershe took the lives of some 1,500men, women, and children more casualties than in anyother marine disaster inpeacetime history. Many movieswere shot about this event, but the one that came out in 1998 was the biggest hit.the Titanic II第11页/共99页the period costumes, the period extravagance, and the period prejudicesParaphrasing?Key the costumes, the extravagance, and the prejudices of that time in history第12页/共99页the period costumes, the period extravagance, and the period prejudicesExamples period furniturea period cottageperiod a. typical of an earlier time in history, either dating from that time or deliberately made in the style of that time 过去某段时期的过去某段时期的第13页/共99页at / from a distance from a place that is not very close; a long time after sth. happened Its wise to stay at a distance from the cobras (眼镜蛇眼镜蛇).Some people are more respectable if admired from a distance.Remembering the disaster at a distance, I now feel sure that it was not his fault.第14页/共99页But is not grouping women with children a raging anachronism? 但是，将妇女和儿童归为一类的做法难道不是一种但是，将妇女和儿童归为一类的做法难道不是一种与时代既不相称的行为吗？与时代既不相称的行为吗？第15页/共99页let alone (to indicate that a particular situation is even less likely or possible) not to mention; without consideringExamplesI was too tired to walk, let alone running.There wasnt enough room for us, let alone three dogs and two cats.Should not any self-respecting modern person, let alone feminist, object to it as insulting to women? 第16页/共99页Should not any self-respecting modern person, let alone feminist, object to it as insulting to women? object to oppose; be againstExamples The embassy objects to their requests to take refuge there.Professor Hawking objects to being treated like someone special.第17页/共99页at random: without method or conscious choice Examples His clothes were scattered about the room at random. The specimens to be analyzed were taken at random. Cf.random: a. usu attrib done, chosen, etc. without method or conscious choiceHis random walk led him to a beautiful view of the town. He chose an apple randomly.第18页/共99页civilian: a person who is not a member of the armed forces 平民；百姓 Examples The officer told all civilians to leave the area. Several innocent civilians were killed by the bombs. Cf.citizen: a person who lives in a particular city or town, esp one who has certain voting or other rights in that place 居民；市民居民；市民national: a person, esp someone abroad, who belongs to another usu stated country 国民国民 subject: a person who owes loyalty to a certain country or royal ruler 国民，子民，臣民国民，子民，臣民第19页/共99页第20页/共99页ExamplesThose soldiers are responsible for several massacres of defenseless villagers.massacre: C the killing of large numbers, usu of people who cannot defend themselves properly, without caring about their death 大屠杀（尤其屠杀无防卫能力的人群）第21页/共99页Cf. killing: U the acting of killing people or animals. slaughter: U the killing of animals usu for food; the killing of one or more people in a bloody, cruel, or thoughtless way (残杀残杀) carnage: U (esp poet & emph) slaughter 屠杀屠杀massacre: C the killing of large numbers, usu of people who cannot defend themselves properly, without caring about their death 大屠杀（尤其屠杀无防卫能力的人群）第22页/共99页Cf. butchery: U cruel and unnecessary killing, esp of human beings 残杀；屠杀残杀；屠杀 murder: C the unlawful killing of a person, esp on purpose 谋杀，凶杀谋杀，凶杀massacre: C the killing of large numbers, usu of people who cannot defend themselves properly, without caring about their death 大屠杀（尤其屠杀无防卫能力的人群）第23页/共99页wince vi. suddenly and briefly show pain in ones facial expression(因疼痛、惊吓等)本能地退缩，畏缩；皱眉蹙眼Examples David winced when the dentist touched his sore tooth. It makes me wince even thinking about eye operation. Cf.frown: (at sb /sth) bring the eyebrows together, so wrinkling the skin on ones forehead (to express anger, thought, worry, etc) 皱眉，蹙额皱眉，蹙额Peter frowned at the noise coming from the boys bedroom. My parents always frown on late nights out. (disapprove of)第24页/共99页wince vi. suddenly and briefly show pain in ones facial expression(因疼痛、惊吓等因疼痛、惊吓等)本能地退缩，畏缩；皱眉本能地退缩，畏缩；皱眉蹙眼蹙眼第25页/共99页Children are entitled to special considerationExamples You are entitled to high praise for handling this difficult situation successfully all alone.Im entitled to know how my own money is being spent.be entitled to (do) sth. be given the right to have or do (sth.) 第26页/共99页faculty n.1.any of the powers of the body or mind; a particular ability for doing sth. 才能；能力；天赋 2.all the teachers and workers of a university or college (高等院校的)全体教师及职工 Examples Even at the age of 100, she still had all her faculties.Mary has a remarkable faculty for adding large numbers in her head.Jane is a member of the faculty at the local university.第27页/共99页faculty n.1.any of the powers of the body or mind; a particular ability for doing sth. 才能；能力；天赋 Cf. ability: (esp of mind) the power, knowledge, etc needed (to do sth) aptitude: (for, in) natural ability or skill, esp in learning 天资天资 capability: ability, practical power 才能，能力才能，能力 facility: ability to do or perform sth easily 才能才能第28页/共99页faculty n.2.all the teachers and workers of a university or college (高等院校的)全体教师及职工Cf. staff: the group of workers who carry on a job to do the work of an organization personnel: the people employed by a company, the armed forces, etc. work force: the people working in a place crew: all the people working on a ship, plane, etc.第29页/共99页innocent n. 1) (of) not guilty 无罪的，无辜的无罪的，无辜的; 2) knowing nothing of evil or wrong 天真的天真的Examples I am innocent of the crime.In these wars, countless innocent people lost their lives.Dont be so innocent as to believe everything he says.第30页/共99页innocent n. 1) (of) not guilty 无罪的，无辜的无罪的，无辜的; 2) knowing nothing of evil or wrong 天真的，无知的天真的，无知的Cf. Nave: 1) having or showing no experience (as of social rules or behavior), esp because one is young 缺乏经缺乏经验的；幼稚的；无知的验的；幼稚的；无知的; 2) believing what anyone says or what is most favorable 天真的天真的The young boy was laughed at for his nave remarks.It is nave of you to believe hell do what he says.第31页/共99页sin n. 1)U evil as understood in a religion (宗教上的宗教上的)罪孽罪孽; 2) C an evil act, esp as understood in a religion 罪过罪过Example These people say that the city is a place full of sin and you must leave it. In some religions it is a sin to eat the meat of pigs and drink alcohol.第32页/共99页sin n. 1)U evil as understood in a religion (宗教上的宗教上的)罪孽罪孽; 2) C an evil act, esp as understood in a religion 罪过罪过Cf. evil: C evil great wickedness or misfortune 邪恶，邪恶，罪恶罪恶 mischief: U bad, but not seriously bad, behavior or actions, as of children, probably causing trouble and possibly damage or harm 顽皮，调皮，恶作剧顽皮，调皮，恶作剧 vice: wickedness of character 堕落；堕落；a serious fault of character; a bad habit 第33页/共99页consequently ad. (usu fml) because of this, as a result; therefore; in consequenceExamples They cannot not do the work; consequently, we must find another company. The documents were not ready. Consequently we could not sign them.第34页/共99页immunity n.1. protection or freedom (from sth.) 受保护；豁免(权)2. ability to resist infection, disease, etc. 免疫力Examples He was told that he would be granted immunity from prosecution (起诉) if he confessed the names of the other spies.diplomatic immunity (外交豁免权)Most people have no immunity against that virus.第35页/共99页threaten vt. 1. make a threat against (sb.) 威胁，恐吓2. give a warning (of sth. bad) 预示，眼看就要来了Examples They threatened their son with punishment. The gangster (歹徒歹徒) threatened to burn down the store unless the owner paid extortion (敲诈敲诈) money. The dark clouds threaten a storm. When danger threatens we must all take care.第36页/共99页The phrase “women and children” attributes to women the same dependence and moral simplicity we find in five-year-olds. Key:By classing women with children, we think that women are as helpless and innocent as little kids. dependence and moral simplicity another way of saying “helplessness and innocence”第37页/共99页attribute (a quality, feature, etc.) to sb./sth. say or think that sb./sth. has got (that quality, feature, etc.)ExamplesHe tends to attribute mean motives to other people.I wouldnt dream of attributing such a lack of judgment to you.The phrase “women and children” attributes to women the same dependence and moral simplicity we find in five-year-olds. 第38页/共99页given prep.considering 考虑到 a. 1. 规定的，特定的；2. 假设的；已知的Examples Given their inexperience, theyve done a good job.Given (the fact) that she is interested in children, I am sure teaching is the right career for her.The work must be done within the given time.under a given conditionThe given radius (半径) being 4 ft., find the circumference (周长).第39页/共99页given used as a prepositionThe word given can be used as a preposition followed by a noun phrase or noun clause. If you say given something or given that something is true, you mean what is mentioned is considered or is taken into account.In formal English, given the chance, given the opportunity, etc. mean if one has the chance, the opportunity, etc.Examples Given his age, he is a remarkable fast runner.Im sure teaching is the right career for her, given (the fact) that she is interested in children.She could have done just as well as you have, given the chance. Given imagination, anything is possible.第40页/共99页( Given the governments record on unemployment Given childrens helplessness and defenselessness第41页/共99页( Given good weather Given poor immunity第42页/共99页( Given that feminists have been fighting for gender/sexual equality for years Given one more chance to go to college第43页/共99页attach (to) vt. 1.consider that sb. has a certain quality 2.fasten or joinExamples The panel of scientists attaches great importance to his research on genes.Chinese movies used to attach every good quality to a hero.A label is attached to each piece of luggage.Bill attached a big bow (蝴蝶结) to the birthday present.第44页/共99页, it was only fair that a new standard of gender equality not suddenly be proclaimed just as life boat seats were being handed out. ExamplesThe job is open to any suitably qualified person regardless of a
