大学英语 学英语,练听力,上听力课堂! 注册 登录
> 大学英语 > 大学英语教材 > 新视野大学英语读写教程第二册 >  第17篇

新视野大学英语读写教程第二册unit6-b Judge by Appearances

所属教程:新视野大学英语读写教程第二册

浏览:

手机版
扫描二维码方便学习和分享
https://online1.tingclass.net/lesson/shi0529/0000/188/unit6b_new.mp3
https://image.tingclass.net/statics/js/2012

Section B

Judge by Appearances

A standard criticism of sociological research is that it goes to great lengths to prove what most people with common sense already know. Without exactly taking sides for or against that criticism, I want to describe a sociological exercise that might seem to validate it — except that, for me and a classmate (and maybe for some who read this account), the experience made a common claim come alive.
During spring break from a local college, my friend and I went downtown to shop. First, however, we made ourselves virtually unrecognizable to our friends and even to our families. We wore clothing slightly inappropriate for the weather, clean but not ironed, clearly not the styles worn by most visitors to the area. We carried plastic bags of nameless possessions. Both of us were slightly untidy. My friend wore a faded cotton shirt over a T-shirt and a wrinkled skirt over sweat pants. I wore a wool hat that concealed my hair and an unfashionable coat and glasses with sun shades that clipped on.
The aim was to look like street people and to observe what difference that made in the way other people responded to us — whether the appearance of poverty would invite prejudice on us. We were also prepared to act out some mildly unusual behavior that might speak of some emotional problems, without appearing seriously disturbed or dangerous. As it turned out, there was no need for dramatics; people turned us off or tuned us out on the basis of appearance alone.
Our first stop (after parking our cars near the railroad tracks) was in the bargain store of a local charity, where we politely asked access to a bathroom and were refused. Next we entered the lobby of a large hotel, where we asked for a coffee shop and a bathroom. The door man said, "You must go to the twentieth floor." We weren't up to trying our act at an exclusive restaurant, so we wandered around the first floor and left. From there we went to a second-hand shop, where we more or less blended with the customers, and then on to the upper-scale stores and coffee shops during the lunch hour.
It was prejudice time. Some of the children we encountered stared, pointed, and laughed; adults gave us long, doubting looks. Clerks in stores followed our track to watch our every move. In a lunchroom a second assistant hurried to the side of the cashier, where they took my $2 check without asking for ID; it seemed worth that price to have us out the door. At one doorway a clerk physically blocked the entrance apparently to discourage our entry.
We had money to cover small purchases, and, apart from wearing down-scale clothing, we did nothing in any of these settings to draw attention to ourselves; we merely shopped quietly in our accustomed manner. At one establishment we did blow our cover when we ordered French rolls with two special coffees; that may have been too far out of character for "bag ladies". Elsewhere we encountered ribbing, imitating, lack of trust, and rude stares.
So what did we learn? Mostly what we expected, what everybody knows: people judge by appearances. Just looking poor brings with it prejudice, accompanied by removal of much of the social grace most of us take for granted. Lacking the culturally acceptable symbols of belonging in this setting, we became, to a degree, objects, with less inherent dignity as persons.
There was, however, one surprise — more accurately, a shock. It became clear most strongly at the shop I mentioned earlier, the one where a clerk conspicuously positioned herself in the entrance on seeing us. I had just noticed the place and had turned to my companion, saying, "I've never seen this store. Let's go in." She looked at me with alarm: "You're not really going there, are you?"
I knew what she meant and shared her feeling. The place felt out of bounds for us. In a very few hours, we found ourselves accepting and internalizing the superficial and prejudiced judgments of ourselves that prevailed among the people we met; we catalogued ourselves. Undoubtedly, it's a good lesson to learn, maybe especially for sociologists.
Words: 703

NEW WORDS

▲sociology
n. [U] scientific study of the nature and development of society 社会学

sociological
a. of sociology 社会学的,有关社会学的

sociologist
n. [C] a student or expert in sociology 研究社会学的人,社会学家

valid
a. 1. (of views or reasons, etc.) well based (指证明、理由)有充分根据的,合情合理的,健全的
2. lawfully effective 有效的,具有法律效力的

validate
vt. make sth. well based 证实

virtually
ad. in every important respect; almost 实际上,事实上,实质上;几乎

tidy
a. arranged in order 整洁的,整齐的
v. make sb./sth./oneself tidy (使)整洁,(使)整齐

untidy
a. not tidy 不整洁的,邋遢的,凌乱的,混乱的

▲wrinkle
v. (cause sth.) to form small lines (使)起皱纹
n. [C] a small line in the skin, esp. one of those on the face that are caused by age 皱纹

sweat
n. [U] natural liquid which comes through the skin when one is hot, ill, afraid, working hard, etc. 汗
vi. produce sweat, when hot, ill, afraid, or working hard 出汗,流汗

pants
n. 1. (pl.) 长裤,(宽松的)便裤
2. 内裤

wool
n. 1. [U] fine soft hair that forms the coats of sheep and goats 羊毛
2. [U] thread or cloth made from this 毛线,毛料

conceal
vt. keep sth./sb. from being seen or known about; hide sth./sb. 隐藏,隐蔽,隐瞒

▲clip
vt. 1. hold sth. together with devices 别在……上,夹住
2. cut sth. with scissors or some sharp tool to make it tidier 剪短,修剪
n. [C] a small metal or plastic object used for tying things together or holding them in position 夹子,别针

poverty
n. [U] state of being poor 贫穷,贫困

mild
a. 1. not deeply felt or seriously intended 轻微的,不严重的
2. (of a person or his manner) gentle; soft (指人或其举止)温和的,温柔的,和善的

mildly
ad. 1. slightly, not deeply or seriously 轻微地
2. in a gentle manner 温和地

emotional
a. 1. of the strong feelings of any kind 情感的,情绪的,感情的
2. causing or showing strong feelings 引发或表现强烈感情的

railroad
n. [C] railway 铁路

charity
n. 1. [C] a society or organization for helping people 慈善机构
2. [U] (generosity in) giving money, food, help, etc. to the people who are in need; help given in this way (慷慨)施舍;捐助,救济款

exclusive
a. 1. (of a high-class shop, goods sold in it, etc.) not found elsewhere; reserved for the rich 奢华的,高级的
2. limited to only one person or group of people 专一的,惟一的,独用的
n. [C] a story which is printed in one newspaper or magazine and no others 独家新闻,独家专文

wander
vi. 1. move around in an area or go from place to place without any special purpose 漫游,漫步,闲逛
2. (of a person or an animal) leave the right place or way(指人或动物)离群,迷失方向

blend
v. mix or combine together (使)混和,(使)混杂,(使)交融
n. [C] a combination of different kinds 混合物

scale
n. 1. [C] a method of dividing people based on how big, important, rich, etc. they are 等级,级别
2. [U, C] relative size, extent, etc. 规模,大小

upper-scale
a. high-class 上流的,高档的

down-scale
a. low-class 下等的,低档的

ID
n. [U] identification, way of proving who one is; official papers that do this 身份证明,证明身份的证件

▲identification
n. [U] the act of proving or showing the identity of sb. or sth. 鉴定,验明,认出

discourage
vt. 1. try to stop; persuade sb. not to do sth. 设法阻止,劝阻
2. make sb. feel less confident or less willing to do sth. 使泄气,使不想干

entry
n. 1. [C] the act of coming or going in 进入,入场
2. [C] a person or thing taking part in a race or competition 参加比赛的人或物

rib
vt. make fun of (sb.) in a friendly way 开玩笑,取笑

imitate
vt. 1. copy the speech, actions, dress, etc. of sb.; take or follow as an example 模仿,效仿
2. produce a copy of the real thing 仿制,仿造

rude
a. 1. (of a person or his manner) showing no respect; impolite (指人或其行为)无礼的,不礼貌的,粗野的
2. simple or simply made 简陋的,欠加工的

accompany
vt. 1. happen with sth. 伴随,和……一起发生
2. walk or travel with sb. 伴随,陪伴,陪同

grace
n. 1. (pl.) pleasing act or manner 风度
2. [U] quality of simple elegant beauty (esp. in smoothly controlled movement) 优美,优雅
vt. give honor to sb./sth. 给……增光

symbol
n. 1. [C] an object that represents sth. because it is connected with it in a lot of people's minds 代表物,象征物
2. [C] an image, object, etc. that suggests or refers to sth. else 象征,标志
3. [C] a mark or sign with a particular meaning 记号,符号

▲ inherent
a. existing as a natural or born quality of sb./sth. 固有的,与生俱来的

▲dignity
n. 1. [U] calm or serious manner or style 尊严,端庄
2. [U] the sense that you have of your own importance and value 自尊感,自我价值感

accurate
a. exactly correct 确切的,精确的

accurately
ad. exactly, correctly 精确地,准确地

▲conspicuous
a. easily seen; noticeable 显而易见的,引人注目的,显著的

conspicuously
ad. noticeably 显著地,显眼地

bound
n. 1. (usu. pl.) limits 边界,界限,边区
2. [C] a quick large jump 跳跃,跳跃向前
a. certain, very likely 一定……,必定……
vi. jump or run with jumping movements 跳,跃

internal
a. 1. of or on the inside 内部的,在内部的
2. of political, economic, etc. affairs within a country, rather than abroad 国内的,内政的
3. of the mind 内心的

internalize
vt. accept as your own, so that it becomes a natural and important part of your character 使内在化

superficial
a. 1. not deep 肤浅的,浅薄的
2. of or on the surface only 表面的,表面上的

prevail
vi. 1. exist or happen generally 盛行,流行
2. fight successfully (against sb./sth.) 获胜,战胜,胜(过)

catalogue (catalog)
vt. list (sth./sb.) in a special order 把……编入目录,为……编目录
n. [C] (book having a) complete list of items, usu. in a special order and with a description of each 目录
undoubtedly
ad. without doubt 确实地,无疑地

PHRASES AND EXPRESSIONS

go to great lengths to do
make a great deal of effort to do 竭尽全力去做

be inappropriate for
not suitable for; not right and proper for 不适当的,不合适的

act sth. out
1. express (thoughts, unconscious fears, etc.) in actions and behavior rather than in words 实行,(把想法等)付诸行动
2. act a part, usu. in a real-life situation and for some purpose (通常在真实生活中为某种目的)表现,扮演

speak of sth.
suggest sth. 表明,暗示

turn out
prove to be; come to be known 证实是,原来是

turn sb. off
drive sb./sth. away (from a place) (从……)撵走,逐走(某人或某物)

tune out
ignore, stop listening or paying attention to 不理会, 不理睬

up to sth.
capable of sth. 能做,胜任

more or less
almost 几乎,差不多

follow one's track
be after sb./sth.跟着

apart from
except for 除开,撇开,除……以外

blow one's cover
reveal 泄露,暴露

out of character
not representative of a person's character 不合……个性的

turn to sb.
face sb. 转向(某人),扭向(某人)

    以貌取人

    社会学研究的标准评论往往会不遗余力地去证明那些大多数有常识的人已经知道了的东西。 我不想完全支持或反对此类评论, 我只是想描述一项社会学考察活动, 这项活动似乎证实了上述论点。 只是,对于我和我的一位同学(也许还有哪些看到这篇报道的人)而言, 这项活动使一个人皆知之的观点变得真真切切了。
    在一所本地大学放春假期间,我和朋友到市中心去购物。 但是我们首先把自己打扮得几乎连朋友、甚至家人都认不出来。 我们穿上了与天气稍稍不配的衣服,很干净但没有熨过。 很明显,大多数到这个地区来的游客都不会穿这种式样的衣服的。 我们提着装有差得难以启齿的物品的塑料袋。 我俩都有点衣冠不整。 我的朋友在短袖圆领汗衫上外面套了一件褪了色的全棉衬衣,还在宽松的长运动裤外面套了一条起皱的裙子。 我戴着一顶把我头发掩盖住的羊毛帽子,还穿着一件老式的外套、并戴一付夹着遮阳墨镜片的眼镜。
    我们的目的是为了让自己看上去像漂泊街头的人,以观察这样的打扮会在他人对我们作出反应的方式方面起何种作用--贫穷的外表是否会招致对我们的歧视。 我们也准备做出一些稍微有点不正常的行为, 表明我们情感上有问题、但看上去又不是神经很不正常或对他人有危险的行为。 结果证明:无须夸张做作,人们单凭我们的外貌就叫我们离开或把我们撵走。
    我们 (把汽车停在火车轨道附近以后)的第一个停留地点是一家本地慈善团体经营的廉价商店,在店里我们彬彬有礼地请求使用洗手间,但却被一口回绝。 接着我们走进了一家大旅馆的大堂,在那里我们打听咖啡厅和洗手间在哪里。 看门人说:"你们必须上20楼。" 我们的演技还达不到上高档餐厅一试身手的水平,所以我们在底楼兜了一圈就走了。 离开那里后,我们就去了一家旧货商店,在那里我们多多少少和顾客融为一体了。 然后我们又到了几家高档商店,吃午饭的时候又去了几家咖啡馆。
    这是一个歧视盛行的时代。 我们遇到了一些孩子,他们盯着我们看、对着我们指指点点,而且还放声大笑;成人们则对我们投以长长的、充满怀疑的目光。 商店营业员紧紧地跟着我们、监视着我们的一举一动。 在一家快餐店,一个帮工赶紧走到收银员的身边;在那里他们收取了我 2 美元的支票,却连身份证都没要看。 好象用这个代价把我们赶出门是很合算的。 在一个入口处,一名营业员用身体挡住了大门,显然是想打消我们进去的念头。
    我们身上带有支付小金额货物的钱,而且除了穿低挡衣服外,我们没有在上述任何环境里做过任何吸引他人来注意我们的事;我们仅仅是以我们习惯的方式在静静地购物。 在一个饭店里,我们在点法式小面包另加2杯特色咖啡时,我们确实暴露了我们的身份: 这也许与提兜女郎的身份太不相称。 在所有其他地方, 我们遭遇到了嘲笑戏弄、学我们的模样、不信任及无礼的目光。
    我们了解到了些什么呢? 多数是我们所预料到的、人所共知的东西: 大家以貌取人。 仅仅是外表贫穷就会带来人们的歧视,在很多场合我们大多数人视为理所当然的社交礼仪也不复存在了。 因为缺少属于这个环境的、在文化上可被接受的标志,在某种程度上我们成了物品,不再被看作是具有与生俱来的尊严的人了。
    然而, 还有一件让人感到吃惊的事--更准确地讲, 是让人感到震惊的事。 在我先前提到过的那家商店里, 就是有位营业员一见到我们就显眼地堵在大门口的那家商店, 这种令人震惊的事表现得最为突出。 那时我刚注意到这个地方并转向我的同伴,对她说:"我从未见过这家商店。咱们进去吧。" 那位女职员惊慌地看着我说:"你不是真想进去,对吗?"
    我知道她的意思,我也理解她的感情。 这不是个我们可以随便出入的地方。 没过几小时,我们发觉自己正在接受并适应着那种在我们所遇到的人中间流行的、对我们持有的肤浅看法和偏见。我们知道了自己现在这副打扮给人的印象。 毫无疑问,这是值得学习的一课,对社会学家来说也许更是如此。
 

用户搜索

疯狂英语 英语语法 新概念英语 走遍美国 四级听力 英语音标 英语入门 发音 美语 四级 新东方 七年级 赖世雄 zero是什么意思重庆市津都花园英语学习交流群

网站推荐

英语翻译英语应急口语8000句听歌学英语英语学习方法

  • 频道推荐
  • |
  • 全站推荐
  • 推荐下载
  • 网站推荐