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(单词翻译:双击或拖选)
Unit 2
Text A
Pre-reading Activities
1. There are many traditional forms of courtesy toward women — gestures like lighting1 their cigarettes for them or standing2 up when they enter a room. What others can you think of?
2. As you listen to the passage the first time, see if it mentions any of the polite gestures that you thought of. Then listen again for the answers to the following questions:
a) Where do you imagine the incident the woman describes took place?
b) What courtesy did she expect?
c) What, in the man's view, is the basis of a lot of common courtesy?
3. What do you think of the woman's argument about everyday reality? What about the man's view of common courtesy?
The Titanic3 Puzzle Should a good feminist4 accept
priority seating on a lifeboat?
Charles Krauthammer
You're on the Titanic II. It has just hit an iceberg5 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?"
Why, 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 maritime6 tradition of "women and children first" enjoys total acceptance by modern audiences. Listen to the audience boo at the bad guys who try to sneak7 on the lifeboats with — or ahead of — the ladies.
But 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?
Yet its usage is as common today as it was in 1912. Consider these examples taken almost at random8 from recent newspapers:
"The invaders9 gunned down the Indians, most of them women and children..."
"As many as 200 civilians10, most of them women and children, were killed..."
"At the massacre11 in Ahmici 103 Muslims, including 33 women and children, were killed..."
At a time when women fly combat aircraft and run multi-national corporations, how can one not wince12 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, you'll find them with the children.
Children are entitled to special consideration for two reasons: helplessness and innocence13. They have not yet acquired either the faculty14 of reason or the wisdom of experience. Consequently, they are defenseless (incapable of fending16 for themselves) and blameless (incapable of real sin). That's 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 immunity17 because they can have threatened or offended no one.
The phrase "women and children" attributes to women the same dependence18 and moral simplicity19 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 gender20 equality not suddenly be proclaimed just as lifeboat seats were being handed out. That deference21 — a somewhat more urgent variation on giving up your seat on the bus to a woman — complemented23 and perhaps to some extent compensated24 for the legal and social constraints27 placed on women at the time.
But in our era of extensive social restructuring to grant women equality in education, in employment, in government, in athletics28, what entitles women to the privileges — and reduces them to the status — of children?
Evolutionary29 psychologists might say that ladies-to-the-lifeboats is an instinct that developed to perpetuate30 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.
The problem with this kind of logic31, however, is its depressing reductionism. It's like a serious version of the geneticist's old joke that a chicken is just an egg's 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"?
Perhaps it's really "women for children." The most basic parental32 bond is maternal33. Equal parenting is great, but women, from breast to cradle to reassuring34 hug, can nurture35 in ways that men cannot. And thus, because we value children, women should go second. The children need them.
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 it's a singles cruise. No kids, no parents. Now: Iceberg! Lifeboats! Action!
Here's my scenario36. The men, out of sheer irrational37 heroism38, should let the women go first. And the women, out of sheer feminist self-respect, should refuse.
Result? Stalemate. How does this movie end? How should it end? Hurry, the ship's going down.
(759 words)
New Words
feminist
n. a person who believes that women should have the same rights and opportunities as men 女权主义者
* feminine
a. of or having the qualities suitable for a woman 女性的；女子气的
charm
n. a pleasing or attractive feature or quality 魅力
* costume
n. clothes, esp. clothes from a particular place or during a particular historical period; clothes worn by actors during a film or play （一个地区、一个时期流行的）服装；戏装
extravagance
n. the use of more (of sth.) than is necessary 挥霍，奢侈
* extravagant39
a. 1. wasteful40 of money; too costly41 奢侈的；浪费的
2. (of ideas, behaviour, etc.) uncontrolled; beyond what is reasonable 过度的；越轨的
boo
v. show disapproval42 or contempt for sb./sth. by shouting "boo" （对…）发出“呸”的声音（表示嫌恶或强烈的不满）
anachronism
n. sth. outdated43 or obsolete44; sth. from one historical period incorrectly associated with another 过时现象；时代错误
usage
n. the way sth. is used; the way words are used in a language 用法；使用；（词的）惯用法
* random
a. done, chosen, etc. without conscious choice 胡乱的；任意的
* massacre
n. the killing45 of a large number of people or animals 屠杀
combat
n. a fight or fighting between two armies, etc. 战斗
aircraft
n. (pl. unchanged) a plane or other vehicle that can fly in the air 航空器，飞机
wince
vi. suddenly and briefly46 show pain in one's facial expression 脸部肌肉抽搐，皱眉蹙眼
entitle
vt. 1. (to) give (sb.) a right (to have or do sth.) 给…权利；给…资格
2. give a title (to a book, etc.) 给（书等）题名
consideration
n. 1. careful thought and attention 考虑
2. (for) thoughtful attention to the wishes and feelings of others 体贴；关心
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
fend15
v. (for) look after 照料
protection
n. the action of protecting or the condition of being protected 保护，防护
protective
a. 1. that protects sb. or sth. from harm 保护的，防护的
2. (towards) having or showing a strong desire to protect （对人）关切保护的
helpless
a. unable to act without help; needing the help of others; unable to defend oneself 无助的；无依无靠的；不能自立的
immunity
n. 1. protection or freedom (from sth.) 受保护；豁免（权）
2. ability to resist infection, disease, etc. 免疫力
threaten
vt. 1. make a threat against (sb.) 威胁，恐吓
2. give a warning (of sth. bad) 预示
male
a. & n.男子（的）；雄性（的）
privilege
n. a special right or advantage available only to a particular person or group of people 特权；优惠
given
prep.考虑到
a. 1. 规定的；特定的
2. 假设的；已知的
* attach
vt. (to) 1. consider that sb. has (a certain quality) 认为有；使与…相关联
2. fasten or join 系；贴；连接
womanhood
n. women in general; the state of being a woman （总称）妇女；女子的身份或状态
* gender
n. 1. （生理上的）性
2. （名词、代词等的）性
equality
n. the state of being equal, esp. in status, rights, etc. 平等
deference
n. respect 尊敬，敬重
urgent
a. requiring immediate47 attention or action 紧迫的，紧要的
* complement22
vt. add new or contrasting features which show the best qualities of (sth.) or which improve (it) 补充，补足
* constraint26
n. limitation or restriction48 约束，限制
* constrain25
vt. 1. force (sb.) to act in a particular way 强迫
2. prevent (sth.) from developing freely 限制，束缚
restructure
vt. arrange (a system or organisation) in a new way to make it work more effectively 重建；改组；调整
evolutionary
a. of or resulting from evolution; developing gradually 进化论的；演变的
instinct
n. behavior or knowledge that one has without being taught 本能
perpetuate
a. make (sth.) continue for a long time; carry (sth.) on 使永久；保持
* perpetual
a. lasting49 forever or for a long time 永久性的；长期的
indispensable
a. essential 必不可少的
repopulate
vt. 重新构成…的人口；重新居住于
biologically
ad. 从生物学的角度
logic
n. a way of reasoning 推理（法）
depress
vt. 1. sadden and discourage 使抑郁，使沮丧
2. cause to sink to a lower level of position 使不景气，使萧条
reductionism
n. the practice of showing prejudice because of the tendency to reduce women to a lower status 视妇女低人一等的歧视性做法
reduction
n. making or becoming smaller; the amount taken off in making sth. smaller 减少（量）；削减（数）
version
n. 1. one person's account of an event, as compared with that of another person 描述，说法
2. 版本；改写本
geneticist
n. 遗传学家
egg-layer
n. 生育机器
* courtesy
n. 1. polite behavior; good manners 谦恭有礼；有礼的举止
2. a polite or kind action or expression 好意；恩惠
survival
n. continuing to live or exist, often in spite of difficulty or danger 生存；幸存
strategy
n. a plan, often for business or military aims 策略，计谋
strategic
a. 战略（上）的；战略上重要的
parental
a. 父母（似）的
maternal
a. of or like a mother 母亲（般）的
breast
n. 乳房；胸部；胸膛
* cradle
n. a small bed for a baby, usu. shaped like an open box, that rocks from side to side 摇篮
v. 轻轻地抱，拥抱
kiddie-centrism
n. the notion that children are most important 小孩中心论
cruise
n. a sea voyage for pleasure 海上航游
vt. sail or move at a constant speed that is unhurried and comfortable 航游；巡航；缓慢巡行
scenario
n. a written outline of a film, play, etc. 电影剧本；剧本提纲
* sheer
a. 1. pure; nothing other than (often used in descriptions of sth. surprising, outrageous50, inexplicable51, etc.) 完全的，十足的
2. (of fabric) very thin, light and almost transparent52 （织物）极簿的；透明的
3. very steep 陡峭的；垂直的
stalemate
n. a stage of a dispute, contest, etc. at which further progress is impossible for both sides 僵局；僵持阶段
Phrases and Expressions
priority seating
(the practice of) certain people being given a place to sit before other people 优先安排座位
at/from a distance
from a place that is not very close; a long time after sth. happened 隔开一段距离（或时间）；从远处
object to
oppose; be against 反对，不赞成
at random
without conscious choice 胡乱地，随便地，任意地
gun down
shoot, causing to fall to the ground dead or wounded 枪杀；开枪打伤
be entitled to
be given the right to have or do (sth.) 有权，有资格
fend for oneself
look after oneself 照料自己
attach sth. to sth.
connect sth. to/with sth. else; associate sth. with sth. else; fasten sth. to sth. else 使相关联；使连接在一起
hand out
distribute 分发，散发
go down
sink （船等）下沉
Proper Names
Titanic
“泰坦尼克”号（英国豪华游轮）
Charles Krauthammer
查尔斯·克劳瑟莫（男子名）
Ahmici
阿米奇（克罗地亚地名）
Muslim
穆斯林；伊斯兰教徒
收听单词发音 |
1
lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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titanic
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| adj.巨人的，庞大的，强大的 | |
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feminist
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| adj.主张男女平等的，女权主义的 | |
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iceberg
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| n.冰山，流冰，冷冰冰的人 | |
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maritime
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| adj.海的，海事的，航海的，近海的，沿海的 | |
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sneak
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| vt.潜行(隐藏,填石缝)；偷偷摸摸做；n.潜行；adj.暗中进行 | |
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random
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| adj.随机的；任意的；n.偶然的(或随便的)行动 | |
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invaders
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| 入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
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civilians
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| 平民，百姓( civilian的名词复数 )； 老百姓 | |
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massacre
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| n.残杀，大屠杀；v.残杀，集体屠杀 | |
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wince
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| n.畏缩，退避，（因痛苦，苦恼等)面部肌肉抽动；v.畏缩，退缩，退避 | |
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innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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faculty
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| n.才能；学院，系；(学院或系的)全体教学人员 | |
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fend
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| v.照料（自己），（自己）谋生，挡开，避开 | |
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fending
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| v.独立生活，照料自己( fend的现在分词 )；挡开，避开 | |
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immunity
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| n.优惠；免除；豁免，豁免权 | |
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dependence
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| n.依靠，依赖；信任，信赖；隶属 | |
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simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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gender
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| n.（生理上的）性，（名词、代词等的）性 | |
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deference
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| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
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complement
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| n.补足物，船上的定员；补语；vt.补充，补足 | |
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complemented
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| 有补助物的，有余格的 | |
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compensated
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| 补偿，报酬( compensate的过去式和过去分词 )； 给（某人）赔偿（或赔款） | |
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constrain
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| vt.限制，约束；克制，抑制 | |
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constraint
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| n.(on)约束，限制；限制(或约束)性的事物 | |
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constraints
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| 强制( constraint的名词复数 )； 限制； 约束 | |
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athletics
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| n.运动，体育，田径运动 | |
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evolutionary
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| adj.进化的；演化的，演变的；[生]进化论的 | |
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perpetuate
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| v.使永存，使永记不忘 | |
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logic
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| n.逻辑(学)；逻辑性 | |
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parental
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| adj.父母的；父的；母的 | |
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maternal
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| adj.母亲的，母亲般的，母系的，母方的 | |
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reassuring
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| a.使人消除恐惧和疑虑的，使人放心的 | |
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nurture
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| n.养育，照顾，教育；滋养，营养品；vt.养育，给与营养物，教养，扶持 | |
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scenario
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| n.剧本，脚本；概要 | |
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irrational
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| adj.无理性的，失去理性的 | |
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heroism
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| n.大无畏精神，英勇 | |
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extravagant
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| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
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wasteful
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| adj.（造成）浪费的，挥霍的 | |
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costly
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| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
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disapproval
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| n.反对，不赞成 | |
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outdated
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| adj.旧式的，落伍的，过时的；v.使过时 | |
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obsolete
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| adj.已废弃的，过时的 | |
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killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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46
briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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restriction
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| n.限制，约束 | |
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lasting
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| adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持 | |
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outrageous
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| adj.无理的，令人不能容忍的 | |
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inexplicable
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| adj.无法解释的，难理解的 | |
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transparent
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| adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的 | |
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