研究生英语阅读教程(基础级 第二版)lesson 11

READING SELECTION A

A Case ( reason) for(against)Male Dishwashing

By Page Smith

注黄字体为课后生词

male<->femalea case (reason) for sth.<->a case against sth.; bowels<->dishes-> dishes

[1] Recently there has been a greatwhooping andhollering(noisyargument)over(about)thediminished dignity and importance(status)of the American father.

[2]The poor (pitiful)wretch (fellow/ guy), so the argumentgoes (says), once thefountainheadof domestic authority, hasabdicated (given up), leaving(give/ let)the importantchild-raising dutiesto the wife.Pop(father)has become a comic figure (character),ridiculed in cartoons, on TV shows,and in the movies.

[3] Because of Pop's (father’s)deficiencies (deficient/, adj./ incompetence), we are told, thefamilyis in bad shape (condition/ come down in the world), the children(are)undisciplined, theatmosphere of the home(is)anxious and insecure.

[4] As acorollary (Consequently/ As a result) we haveMomism--theoverbearing (bossy),overprotective, over-dominant mother whoinflicts (impose/ bring about)all kinds ofhideouspsychic scars on her offspring (children) while Pop watches TV orsulks in a corner afraid to dispute(argue) the authority of hisspouse. mother/ mom/ mum/; dominate; scarf

[5] The charge, of course, is not a new one. Itantedates (goes before) the republic. GeorgeGrenville, Minister to George III, is reported to have pushed the tea taxon the grounds (for thereasons of) that American wives were soaddicted to tea drinking that they would never permit theirhenpecked husbands to ban(prohibit)the stuff. (charge sb. with. sth.=accuse sb. of sth.)

[6] Every school child knows the result of thismiscalculation.

[7] Be that as it may (In fact), the symbol of the diminished domestic male has come to bedishwashing. Sociologists (or psychologists, I forget which/ who) and someopinionated(stubborn)laymen have informed(told)us that the washing of dishes by husbands is not only a symbol ofdomesticservitude, it isundermining (destroying) Pop as a respected \"authority-figure (character)\"in the household (family). Hence(Therefore/ Thus)thedeterioration of the family, hencejuveniledelinquency, hence the decline of the republic, etc. All because Pop washed the dishes.

[8] Well, I wish to enter adissent (argument against it). (inform sb. of sth.)

[9] As a pioneer, indeed amissionary, dishwasher of some(about)fifteen years'standing (onend/ continuously), I can identify(recognize)the source of thispropaganda at once. It proceeds (gofrom) from lazy males who don't want to miss the first fewinnings of the double-header on TV. Thescientific(objective)jargon is justwindow dressing. (man-dominated-society)

[10] Experience has made it quite apparent(obvious)that(asuccessful)marriagecalls for(needs)maturity and mutual sacrifice. Most of the marriages that fail, marriagecounselors tell us,fail because the partners lack suchqualities (quality). Dishwashing, by general agreement, is aclassic(typical)example of domesticdrudgery,adreary and almost continuouschore. It is,therefore, an excellent task for husband and wife to share as a symbol of \"marital mutuality\" ratherthan \"distaffdominance\".

[11] Every meal that a wife cooks and serves her husband is, if it is prepared withimagination

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and skill, agenuinely creative act-- a minor (small) work of art-- the meal itself is a kind of lovefeast, an offering of the wife'sdevotion (love). Now do our experts recommend that after such arepast(meal)the husbandshuffle, like a dull (uninteresting)brute (beast), into the living(sitting)room to watch the \"Perils(Adventure)of Pauline\" or to read the comic section(part)of the dailypaper while(at the same time)the wife retreats(withdraw)to thedepressing disorder of apillaged(robbed)kitchen, ofgreasy plates andcrusty pots? Is this their prescription for a successful andhappy marriage?

[12] No, in this instance (case), as in so many, many others, the experts are wrong. I am not, ofcourse, in a position（ready）to testify (prove)as to(about)mymasculinity (manliness) or lack ofit, but Ido know that I am no less masculine as a result of fifteen years of dishwashing. Nor have Iobserved that parental authority has sufferedin any measure (degree).

[13] My children seem, generally speaking (in general), under rather better discipline than theoffspring (children) of a former professional football player in the neighborhood who is hairy as agorilla, spends all his domestic hoursgaping at (watching) TV and has never washed a dish in hislife.

[14] Moreover (Furthermore), I must state(say)that my dishwashing duties haveby no meansbeen anunmitigated(thorough/ complete/ unavoidable)burden. My wife and I have spent manysociable(communicative)hours at the kitchen sink and, I doubt not, discovered somenotable(outstanding)things about life and about each other in thesenocturnal(at night)dialogues. sexy:slim->masculine; woman

[15] Iamfoursquare for (stand for/ support)womanly women and manly men. I believe that theworld needs the qualities(virtues)of abstract andanalytical thought, of imagination, creativity andcompromise that are more clearly theattributes(characters)of the maleas much as(and)it needsthe practical,pragmatic,intuitive,unitary, principled approach(method)of the female. Isubscribeto(support)the view(concept)that the best (but certainly not the only) place for the woman is inthe home. But then, of course, I like the home and do not view(consider)this as asentence to jail.(analyze->analysis; win-win situation) (intuition: instinct)

[16] In (At) the home, and within the rough division of labor that is traditional betweenhusband and wife, Ibelieve in the sharing of as many of the more difficult andonerous domestictasksas possible (especially since the wife often has some outside job astiring and tiresome as herhusband's) just as I believe in sharing the not infrequentdelights(happiness)of home. I believe,inshort (in brief), in an intelligent mutuality in marriagebased on theassumption(belief)that womenare notbeasts of burden but fellow humans. (believe sb.=I think what you say is true; believe insth.=behold such belief; basis)

[17] If the husband is the stronger character in the family, he will exercise the authority of thehousehold. If he is not, all thebrag andbluster in the world will not make him more than thenominal（honorable）head.

[18] If the wife is the stronger partner, she willdominate the life of the family, although if sheiscunning(clever)she maymanage to (try) give her husband theillusion that heis in charge. Sohas it ever been and so will it continue to be. (be in charge of sth.)

[19] Theinnermasculinity of the American maleis doubtless threatened today just as, in manyareas of our society, theessential femininity of our women is threatened. But the threat doesn'tcome from washing dishes. If masculine dignity andauthenticityhinge on(depend)washing or notwashing dishes,the cause(argument)is lost. Indeed, it was neverworth fighting for (975 words);

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II. Vocabulary

A. Choose the best word from the four choices to complete each of the following sentences.注每个题目后面出现的相同标号的题目是备考查单词在课文里出现的原句

1. If it continues to_____ its responsibilities then the British government must act immediatelyin its place. (substitute)A. testifyB. proceed (continue)C. discipline(n. vt.)D. abdicate

(1)Thepoor (pitiful)wretch (fellow/ guy), so the argumentgoes (says), once thefountainhead ofdomestic authority, hasabdicated (given up), leaving(give/ let)the importantchild-raising duties tothe wife.

2. Just as you do not wish others to_____ their desires upon you, you must leave it to them tobe free to follow their own direction in life. (ask for sick leave)A. inflict (impose sth. on sb.)B. disputeC. ridiculeD. antedate (go to an earlier time)(2)overprotective, over-dominant mother whoinflicts (impose/ bring about)all kinds ofhideouspsychic scars on her offspring (children) while Pop watches TV orsulks in a corner afraid to dispute(argue) the authority of hisspouse.

3. She was a tough girl-- determined, arrogant and_____, with lightbrown hair and quick,sharp eyes.A. genuineB. hideousC. undermining(destructive)D. opinionated (stubborn)(3)Sociologists (or psychologists, I forget which/ who) and someopinionated(stubborn)laymenhave informed(told)us that the washing of dishes by husbands is not only a symbol of domesticservitude,

4. I think feminism is about liberating women from enforced domestic and maternal (distaff, ofmother/ related to mother)_____.A. dissent (<->consent)B. propagandaC. drudgeryD. mutuality

(4)Dishwashing, by general agreement, is a classic(typical)example of domesticdrudgery, adreary and almost continuouschore.

5. The children have a more_____ view (opinion), only taking in consideration what will work.(take sth. into consideration)A. pragmatic (practical, feasible)B. drearyC. maritalD. dominant

(5)I believe that the world needs the qualities(virtues)of abstract andanalytical thought, ofimagination, creativity andcompromise that are more clearly theattributes(characters)of the maleas much as(and)it needs the practical,pragmatic,intuitive,unitary, principled approach(method)of the female.

6. While a quarter of men wash their cars once a week, fewer than one in five women carry outthe_____.

A. attribute (features/ character)B. choreC. repast（meal）D. jargon

(6)Dishwashing, by general agreement, is a classic(typical)example of domesticdrudgery, adreary and almost continuouschore.

7.If she were rich, that wouldn't stop her(from)caring for children, but she could charge only a(n)_____fee(fare)to the mothers who badly needed to work.A. intuitiveB.nominalC. depressingD. juvenile

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(7) If he is not, all thebrag andbluster in the world will not make him more than thenominal（honorable）head.

8. We intend to remove the_____ rules and regulations that are discouraging foreigninvestment in our country.A. onerousB. henpeckedC. greasyD. unmitigated (complete/ thorough)(8)Ibelieve in the sharing of as many of the more difficultandonerous domestic tasks as possible(especially since the wife often has some outside job astiring and tiresome as her husband's) just asI believe in sharing the not infrequentdelights(happiness)of home.

9. He was a lonely, miserable_____.alone->lonely (adj.)A. feastB. spouseC. wretchD. dignity

(9)The poor (pitiful)wretch (fellow/ guy), so the argumentgoes (says), once thefountainhead ofdomestic authority, hasabdicated (given up),

10. This newly established institution has to facea whole range of crimes and_____. (institute:n./ vt.)

A. femininityB. prescriptionsC. delinquencies (offense)D. authenticity (reliability)

(10)Hence(Therefore/ Thus)thedeterioration of the family, hencejuveniledelinquency, hence thedecline of the republic, etc. All because Pop washed the dishes.

B. Choose the best word or expression from the list given for each blank. Use each word orexpression only once and make proper changes where necessary.

subscribe togape athinge onlaymanmasculinityaddicted toby no meansin shortdeteriorationperil

注每个题目后面出现的相同标号的题目是备考查单词在课文里出现的原句

1. Educationhas been directed at (aimed at)the production of the rational (wise), the free, theindependent of mind, the dignified,in short (in brief), the autonomous human being. (died for thewell-being of the people)

(1) I believe,in short (in brief), in an intelligent mutuality in marriagebased on theassumption(belief)that women are notbeasts of burden but fellow humans.

2. It is quite commonto hear teachers say that they do notsubscribe to(support/ believe)anyparticular approach or method in their teaching but are \"eclectic\".

(2)Isubscribe to(support)the view(concept)that the best (but certainly not the only) place forthe woman is in the home.

3. They nearly(almost)collided and stoodgapingat each other. (generation gap/ narrowlyescape)

(3)spends all his domestic hoursgaping at (watching) TV and has never washed a dish in hislife.

4. The debate should not, however,center on(focus on/ emphasize)cost, but shouldhinge on(rely on/ depend on)the ultimate(final)benefit to the nation.

(4)If masculine dignity andauthenticityhinge on(depend)washing or not washing dishes,thecause(argument)is lost. Indeed, it was neverworth fighting for

5. Thelayman usually thinks of passenger traffic first, and freight(good)second, but the latter

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is usually of far greater importance. (the former<->the latter; be important=be of great importance)

(5)Sociologists (or psychologists, I forget which/ who) and someopinionated(stubborn)laymen have informed(told)us that the washing of dishes by husbands is not only a symbol ofdomesticservitude,

6. It isby no means certain that we will be able to move to our new office next spring.(6)Moreover (Furthermore), I must state(say)that my dishwashing duties haveby no meansbeen anunmitigated(thorough/ complete/ unavoidable)burden.

7. I would say that maleness is purely biological, whereas (while)masculinity is based largelyon upbringing (family education/ bring up) and social conditioning (training).

(7)I am not, of course, in a position（ready）to testify (prove)as to(about)mymasculinity(manliness) or lack of it, but Ido know that I am no less masculine as a result of fifteen years ofdishwashing.

(7)Theinnermasculinity of the American maleis doubtless threatened today just as,in manyareas of our society, theessential femininity of our women is threatened.

8. I know that if I start watching a soap opera (watch) I immediately become hopelesslyaddicted to it.(8)George Grenville, Minister to George III, is reported to have pushed the tea taxon thegrounds (for the reasons of) that American wives were soaddicted to tea drinking that they wouldnever permit theirhenpecked husbands to ban(prohibit)the stuff.

9.There has been a continuingdeterioration in the relations between the two neighboringcountries. (continue: vt/ vi./ continuous: adj.)

(9)Hence(Therefore/ Thus)thedeterioration of the family, hencejuveniledelinquency, hencethe decline of the republic, etc. All because Pop washed the dishes.

10. The journey through the mountains we took last summer was very excitingbut was fraught(full)withperils (dangers).(trip-> journey)

(10) Perils(Adventure)of Pauline\" or to read the comic section(part)of the daily paper while(at the same time)the wife retreats(withdraw)to thedepressing disorder of apillaged(robbed)kitchen, of greasy plates andcrusty pots?

课文参考译文

第＋一课A为男人洗碗正名

佩奇·史密斯

[l］近来，许多人都在高声喧嚷，大鸣不平，说父亲在美国家庭中的尊严和地位己大不如前了。

[2]他们争辩说，曾儿何时，父亲一直是家庭的绝对权威，而如今，这个可怜的人己经让位了，将养育孩子的重任留给了妻子。父亲成为一个滑稽的角色，卡通片、电视剧、电影里嘲弄的对象。

[3］他们说，由于父亲的种种缺失，美国的家庭现在乱七八糟，孩子们缺少管教，家庭气氛焦躁不安，没有安全感。

[4］于是乎，母亲主义应运而生。母亲变得专横起来，对孩子过于溺爱，主导了家庭生活的一切，结果给孩子们造成了各种各样可怕的心灵创伤。而此时，父亲顾自看着电视，或

墨慧强2011年6月研究生英语复习资料

者呆在角落里生闷气，不敢对妻子的权威提出异议。

[5]当然，这种指责并不新鲜。美国建立以前就有了。英王乔治三世在位时，据说首相乔治·格伦维尔力促推行茶叶税，理由是美洲殖民地的家庭主妇们嗜茶如命，而她们的丈夫对她们唯命是从，她们决不会允许丈夫查禁茶叶。

[6］格伦维尔失算了，其结果每个上学的孩子都知道。

[7］不管怎么说，男人们在家里地位日微，一个标志就是他们要洗碗刷碟。社会学家们（或是心理学家们，我忘了是哪些人）和一些固执己见的外行告诉我们，丈夫们清洗碗碟不仅是家庭奴役的象征，更削弱了父亲作为家中备受尊重的“权威人物”的形象。所以才有了家庭的恶化，有了少年犯罪，有了美国的衰落，等等。一切都归因于父亲洗起了碟子。 [8］我想对此提出异议。

[9］清碗洗碟，我称得上是一个先行者，也是一个积极倡导者，大约己有巧年之久，我一下子就能指出这种宣传性言论的出处。这种言论出自一些懒惰男人，他们不想错过电视里一连两场棒球比赛的头儿局。他们使用学术行话不过是装点门面而己。

[10 ]经验清楚地表明，婚姻需要成熟和相互牺牲。婚姻问题咨询专家告诉我们，多数婚姻的失败，是由于夫妻双方不够成熟，且缺乏奉献精神。一般认为，清碗洗碟是繁重家务的一个典型例证，这种家务枯燥乏味，让人难得消停。因此，如果丈夫和司多妻子把洗碗当作是“夫妻亲密无间”的象征，而不是“妻子主导一切”的标志，来共同完成，这不失为一个不错的活儿。

[11]妻子为丈夫准备的每顿饭菜，如果在准备过程中增加一些想象和技巧，就是一个很有创意的行为―一件小的艺术品―那顿饭菜本身可以说是一场爱的宴席，是妻子深情的奉献。享用了这样一顿美味佳肴之后，丈夫就像一个毫无良心的野蛮人，拖着脚步走进了起居间，看起了诸如《波林的险情》之类的电视节目，或者读一读日报上的连环漫画栏，而此时妻子却又回到洗劫一空的厨房，面对油腻脏乱的锅碗瓢勺。难道我们的专家们建议我们要这样做吗？这就是他们给成功、幸福的婚姻开的药方吗？ [12 ]并非如此，在这个问题上，和许许多多其他问题上一样，专家们错了。当然，我无法证明我是否很具男人气质，但我却很清楚，洗了巧年的碗碟之后，我的男子气概丝毫没有减少。我也没有发现我作为家长的权威有任何减少。

[13]总体说来，我的孩子们得到的管教，似乎比附近一位前橄榄球职业球员的孩子受到的管教要多。他长得毛茸茸的，就像一只大猩猩。他把在家的所有时间都用于看电视，一个盘子都没洗过。

[14]而且我必须说明，对我来说，洗碗等义务绝不是绝对的负担。我的妻子和我在厨房洗碗池边一起度过了不少时光，交流了很多。我相信，从这些夜间谈话中，我们对人生和彼此有了一些重要的发现。

[15]我坚决主张女性要有女性的魅力，男人要有男人的特点。我相信，这个世界需要抽象思维、分析性思维、想象力、创造力和妥协等品质，这些更像是男性的特点。同样地，这个世界也需要女性的处事方法，如讲实际、讲实用、重本能、重整体以及讲原则等。有人说女性最好的（当然不是唯一的）去处是在家里，我同意这种看法。当然，我也爱家，呆在家里又不是判刑入狱。

[16］传统上丈夫和妻子之间对家务活有一个粗略的分工。我觉得夫妻应该共享家庭生活的种种快乐，同样地，我觉得对那些更难做的、更繁重的家务活，夫妻要尽可能一起去做（尤其是妻子常常要在外从事某些工作，与丈夫的工作一样累人、乏味，更应该这样做）。总之，我相信婚姻生活中明智的互敬互爱，因为我认为女人同样是人，而不是给我们带来负担的动物。

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[17]如果丈夫在家说了算，他自然会行使家长的权威。如果他说了不算，即使吹上天，他也不过是名义上的家长罢了。

[18]如果妻子在家说了算，她在家庭生活中就会处于主导地位。要是她有些心计，她或许会让丈夫产生一种错觉，觉得是自己在掌管着家庭事务。过去一直如此，将来还会如此。 [19］美国男性内在的男子气概今天无疑受到了威胁，正如在当今社会的许多领域，女性的基本特质受到了威胁一样。但是这种威胁并非来自于洗碗洗碟。假如男性的尊严和真正的男子气概视洗碗与否而定，那就没有抓住原因的实质。的确，为这种事情争斗，永远不值。