《瓦爾登湖》中的隱士情懷

安徽 周艷霞

《瓦爾登湖》一書為梭羅隱居瓦爾登湖畔時所寫。 《瓦爾登湖》向我們展示了瓦爾登湖畔美不勝收的風(fēng)景，記錄了作家隱居生活的點滴。

體裁6 分鐘書評★★★建議用時文章詞數(shù)344難度

1By the author Henry David Thoreau， Walden was published in 1854. It is an account of the experiences of Thoreau over two years，two months， and two days. It is set in Massachusetts in a woodland that Ralph Waldo， his mentor， owned and also where Thoreau built his cabin.

2The book is largely structured around the seasonal changes that Thoreau observed during his two years at Walden Pond. It takes a huge focus on the season changes， and they structure his days there， which were filled with things most of us would never take the time or the opportunity to do， like farming and observing different plants and animals that inhabited the area.

3Nonetheless， Walden is a difficult book to read for three reasons. First， it was written by a gifted writer who uses surgically precise language， long and complex paragraphs and sentences， and vivid， detailed， and insightful descriptions. Second， its logic is based on a different understanding of life， quite contrary to what most people would call common sense. And third， quite often any words would fail to express many of Thoreau's insights into truth. Thoreau must use non-literal （非字面意義的） language to express his ideas， and the readers must read beyond the lines.

4Relatively neglected during Thoreau's lifetime， Walden achieved tremendous popularity in the 20th century. Thoreau's description of the physical act of living day by day at Walden Pond gave the book authority，while his command of a clear，straightforward，but elegant style helped raise it to the level of a literary classic. Quotes from Walden like “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation”，“If a man does not keep pace with his companions，perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer”and so on are often repeated.

5If you wish to live a boring and conventional life， Thoreau is not for you. If you wish to experience life， then you will find that Thoreauvian insight can free up your time，energy， and possibilities. Maybe， you could also be a hermit like Thoreau when you finish the book.

Reading Check

Ⅰ. Complete the following table with only one word for each blank

The hermit thoughts in Walden Brief introduction Theme Evaluation &5.Impacts 10.? Author: Henry David Thoreau? Publication: It was published in 1854.? Content: Walden narrates Thoreau's 1.at Walden Pond.? 2.: Walden is set in a woodland that Thoreau's mentor owned and also where Thoreau built his cabin.? Walden mainly focuses on the 3.changes that Thoreau observed during his two years at Walden Pond.? Walden includes things normal people would always 4.to do.? Walden is difficult to read.√ Walden is written in a 6.language.√ The logic of Walden is based on a 7.understanding of life.√ The author must use non-literal language to express his ideas.? Thoreau's description of the physical act of daily living at Walden Pond gave the book 8..? Thoreau's command of a clear， straightforward， but elegant style helped raise the book to the level of a literary classic.? Some quotes from Walden are still 9.nowadays.Thoreauvian insight may make it possible to experience life instead of living a worldly life.

Ⅱ. Critical thinking

As a civilian in a more social society today， what do you think of Thoreau's life as a hermit? Which kind of life do you prefer， a hermit life or a more social life? Why?

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Language Study

近日，瘋狂英語雜志社正在舉行主題為“My favorite book”的征文比賽。 請給雜志社寫一篇短文，介紹你最喜歡的一本書。 內(nèi)容要點：

1. 書的名字；

2. 喜歡的原因；

3. 書的簡介。

注意：

1. 詞數(shù)80左右；

2. 可以適當(dāng)增加細(xì)節(jié)，以使行文連貫。

My favorite book