I desire to express my profound indebtedness, for the central
mythological1 idea
embodied2 in this tale, to Mr. J.G. Frazer’s admirable and epoch-making work, “The Golden Bough,” whose main
contention3 I have endeavored incidentally to popularize in my present story. I wish also to express my obligations in other ways to Mr. Andrew Lang’s “Myth, Ritual, and Religion,” Mr. H.O. Forbes’s “Naturalist’s Wanderings,” and Mr. Julian Thomas’s “Cannibals and Convicts.” If I have omitted to mention any other author to whom I may have owed incidental hints, it will be some
consolation4 to me to reflect that I shall at least have afforded an opportunity for
legitimate5 sport to the amateurs of the new and popular British pastime of badger-baiting or plagiary-hunting. It may also save critics some moments’ search if I say at once that, after careful consideration, I have been unable to discover any moral
whatsoever6 in this
humble7 narrative8. I venture to believe that in so enlightened an age the majority of my readers will never miss it.
G.A.
THE NOOK, DORKING, October, 1890.
点击
收听单词发音
1
mythological
|
|
adj.神话的 |
参考例句: |
- He is remembered for his historical and mythological works. 他以其带有历史感和神话色彩的作品而著称。
- But even so, the cumulative process had for most Americans a deep, almost mythological significance. 不过即使如此,移民渐增的过程,对于大部分美国人,还是意味深长的,几乎有不可思议的影响。
|
2
embodied
|
|
v.表现( embody的过去式和过去分词 );象征;包括;包含 |
参考例句: |
- a politician who embodied the hopes of black youth 代表黑人青年希望的政治家
- The heroic deeds of him embodied the glorious tradition of the troops. 他的英雄事迹体现了军队的光荣传统。 来自《简明英汉词典》
|
3
contention
|
|
n.争论,争辩,论战;论点,主张 |
参考例句: |
- The pay increase is the key point of contention. 加薪是争论的焦点。
- The real bone of contention,as you know,is money.你知道,争论的真正焦点是钱的问题。
|
4
consolation
|
|
n.安慰,慰问 |
参考例句: |
- The children were a great consolation to me at that time.那时孩子们成了我的莫大安慰。
- This news was of little consolation to us.这个消息对我们来说没有什么安慰。
|
5
legitimate
|
|
adj.合法的,合理的,合乎逻辑的;v.使合法 |
参考例句: |
- Sickness is a legitimate reason for asking for leave.生病是请假的一个正当的理由。
- That's a perfectly legitimate fear.怀有这种恐惧完全在情理之中。
|
6
whatsoever
|
|
adv.(用于否定句中以加强语气)任何;pron.无论什么 |
参考例句: |
- There's no reason whatsoever to turn down this suggestion.没有任何理由拒绝这个建议。
- All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you,do ye even so to them.你想别人对你怎样,你就怎样对人。
|
7
humble
|
|
adj.谦卑的,恭顺的;地位低下的;v.降低,贬低 |
参考例句: |
- In my humble opinion,he will win the election.依我拙见,他将在选举中获胜。
- Defeat and failure make people humble.挫折与失败会使人谦卑。
|
8
narrative
|
|
n.叙述,故事;adj.叙事的,故事体的 |
参考例句: |
- He was a writer of great narrative power.他是一位颇有记述能力的作家。
- Neither author was very strong on narrative.两个作者都不是很善于讲故事。
|