The Diving Bell and the Butterfly 潜水钟与蝴蝶
- 详细资料
- 创建于 2009年2月25日
- 最后更新于 2024年5月25日
- 发布于 2012年6月03日
- 作者:Mike Lee
- 点击数:220
课文朗读
课文讲解
Jean-Dominique Bauby was a successful, charismatic Parisian, who enjoyed a high-flying lifestyle as chief editor of the French fashion magazine Elle. That was until one fateful day in 1995, when out of the blue he suffered a massive stroke, which left him almost completely paralyzed. When he awoke from a three-week coma, the only part of his body that he was able to move was his left eyelid. His condition, known as “locked-in syndrome,” was extremely rare, and nobody could be certain if he would ever recover.
多米尼克.鲍比是个成功又有魅力的巴黎男人。身为法国时装杂志Elle的主编,鲍比过着光鲜亮丽的生活。直到1995年的某天,一切风云变色。他突然脑干中风,全身几乎瘫痪。鲍比昏迷三星期之后醒了过来,但身上唯一能动的部位只有左眼睑。他的症状(一般称为「闭锁症候群」)相当罕见,没有人能确定他是否会复原。
Such a tale may sound unbelievably tragic, and indeed there was to be no happy ending, as Bauby died of pneumonia barely a year after suffering the stroke. However, what had taken place in the meantime was the truly remarkable part of his story. With the use of his single working eyelid, Bauby had managed to write a moving and inspirational memoir which went on to become an international bestseller.
这样的故事听起来好像惨到难以想象,而它的确没有快乐的结局,因为鲍比中风不到一年便因肺炎过世。但是,这段期间所发生的事情却是鲍比人生最精彩的部分。单凭一只能动的眼睑,鲍比完成了感动人心、发人深省的回忆录,这本回忆录后来成为全球畅销书籍。
Of course, there was no way he was physically able to do this alone. He dictated his thoughts through an innovative communication code that consisted of him spelling out words by blinking his eye as individual letters were read out to him. In the end, it took two months, and about 200,000 blinks, for the book to be completed.
当然,鲍比不可能单靠自己身体的力量完成本书。他透过一个创新的沟通模式口述自己的想法。方法就是将字母一一念给鲍比听,让他用眨眼的方式拼字。最后,这本回忆录花了鲍比两个月大约眨眼20万次才完成
Vocabulary
单词发音
fateful [ˋfetfəl] adj. 重要的; 决定性的; 灾难性的
out of the blue 意外地 at a completely unexpected time
tragic [ˋtrædʒɪk] adj. 悲惨的,不幸的
remarkable [rɪˋmɑrkəb!] adj. 值得注意的;非凡的;卓越的
innovative [ˋɪno͵vetɪv] adj. 创新的
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单词发音
charismatic [͵kærɪzˋmætɪk] adj. 有魅力的;有吸引力的
Parisian [pəˋrɪʒən] n. 巴黎人
high-flying [ˋhaɪˋflaɪɪŋ] adj.(人)有成就的,有前途的
suffer [ˋsʌfɚ] v. 遭受;经历
stroke [strok] n.(病)突然发作;中风
paralyzed [ˋpærə͵laɪzd] adj. 瘫痪的; 麻痹的
coma [ˋkomə] n.〔因重病或重伤而引起的〕昏迷
eyelid [ˋaɪ͵lɪd] n. 眼皮,眼睑
pneumonia [njuˋmonjə] n. 肺炎
memoir [ˋmɛmwɑr] n.(本人写的)回忆录,自传
go on 接着; 继续 to take place; happen
dictate [ˋdɪktet] v. 口授,口述
consist [kənˋsɪst] of 由……构成; 由某事物组成或构成
课文朗读
课文讲解
The book’s title, “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly,” refers to the contrast in Bauby’s physical and mental states as he worked tirelessly on the memoir. While on the one hand his body was weighed down and immobile, like a diving bell, on the other hand, his imagination was free and soaring, like a butterfly.
书名《潜水钟与蝴蝶》意指鲍比不屈不挠、努力完成回忆录当时身心状态的反差。一方面他的身体受病痛折磨,像潜水钟般沉重无法移动,但是另一方面,他的想象力却宛如蝴蝶自由高飞。
Reading the book, one is struck by the relative absence of melancholy or self-pity in Bauby’s writing. There are moments, however, where a sad tone creeps in, especially when he describes his condition. For example, recounting the experience of being bathed in the hospital, he sheds a tear at his helplessness and complete dependence on others. But on the whole, as he reflects on his past and explores with his imagination, we see his witty personality and love of life come to the forefront. He describes in vivid detail cooking imaginary feasts for his friends, or traveling in faraway mystical lands.
阅读这本书的时候,读者可能会讶异,因为鲍比很少在书中流露忧愁或自怜的情绪。不过,字里行间偶尔会隐隐流露难过的语调,尤其是他描述自己的病况的时候。譬如,描述在医院由他人帮忙洗澡的经验时,鲍比因为自己的无助以及必须全然依赖别人的状况而落泪。但是一般说来,当他回想自己的过去,用想象力探索世界的时候,我们可以看到他的机智以及对于生命的热爱跃然纸上。他生动且详尽地描述他想象自己设宴款待朋友,或前往遥远神秘的地方旅行。
A theme that runs throughout the book is Bauby’s determination not to lose his sense of individuality. He insists on wearing his own clothes, commenting “If I must drool, I may as well drool on cashmere.” More than anything, the book serves as a monument to Bauby’s courageous spirit. Fittingly, he did live to see it published, finally succumbing to illness two days later.
贯穿全书的主题是鲍比不让疾病夺走个人独特性的决心。他坚持穿自己的衣服,他说:「如果我一定要流口水,我宁愿让口水滴在克什米尔羊毛衣上。」最重要的是,这本书是代表鲍比勇气的纪念碑。鲍比有幸活着看见本书出版。但就在书问世的两天后,鲍比终于不敌病魔,与世长辞。
Vocabulary
单词发音
shed [ʃɛd] v. 流出;流下
witty [ˋwɪtɪ] adj. 机智的;说话风趣的
vivid [ˋvɪvɪd] adj. 生动的;逼真的
may as well(强调的劝告)不妨;最好
monument [ˋmɑnjəmənt] n. 纪念碑
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单词发音
refer to 提到; 谈论
contrast [ˋkɑn͵træst] n.(对照之下形成的)悬殊差别
weigh down 重压; 压得…行动不便 to burden or oppress
immobile [ɪmˋmobil] adj. 不能动的;固定的
soar [sor] v. 高飞,翱翔
melancholy [ˋmɛlən͵kɑlɪ] n. 忧郁
creep in 偷偷潜入;悄悄混入
creep [krip] v. 不知不觉地到来;渐渐产生
recount [ˋri͵kaʊnt] v. 叙述,讲述
on the whole 大体上; 一般说来 generally; considering everything
reflect [rɪˋflɛkt] v. 深思;反省[(+on/upon/over)]
forefront [ˋfor͵frʌnt] n. (思考或关注的)重心; 焦点
mystical [ˋmɪstɪk!] adj. 神秘的
individuality [͵ɪndə͵vɪdʒʊˋælətɪ] n. 个性, 人格
drool [drul] v. 流口水
cashmere [ˋkæʃmɪr] n. 开士米羊毛织品
fittingly [ˋfɪtɪŋlɪ] adv. 恰好地; 适当地
succumb [səˋkʌm] v. 屈服[(+to)]
课文朗读
课文讲解
Ten years after his death, Bauby’s story has once more gained worldwide attention, thanks to an award-winning film adaptation of the book. Directed by Julian Schnabel, it has won rave reviews, not only for the moving nature of the storyline, but for the unique way it is depicted.
鲍比过世10周年后,一部改编自他回忆录的获奖电影,再度让世人注意到鲍比的故事。这部由朱利安.许纳贝所执导的电影之所以获得热烈好评,不单是因为故事本身的情节动人,更因为它独特的叙事手法。
For the first third of the film, the audience literally sees the world through Bauby’s eyes. When his non-functioning right eyelid is sewn shut, we experience the same feelings of discomfort and panic that he likely did, as the needle and thread seals up the camera lens. The film’s images also blur in and out of focus, as Bauby’s one-eyed sight would have frequently done. Unlike those around him, we hear his thoughts, which for the most part are quoted directly from the book. The overall effect, though unsettling, is also very enlightening.
在影片的前三分之一,观众真的可以透过鲍比的眼睛看这个世界。他丧失功能的右眼被缝合起来的时候,针和缝线将镜头缝合起来,我们可以体验到鲍比可能感受到的不舒服和恐慌。影片中的影像焦距时而清楚、时而模糊,就像鲍比仅存的一眼经常见到的景象。和鲍比周遭的人不同的是,我们听得到他的想法,其中绝大多数都是引用自这本书。整部影片的效果虽然令人不安,却也相当发人深省。
Recurring images play an important role in the film, such as a sinking diving bell indicating hopelessness, or rapidly melting icebergs when Bauby’s spirits are on the rise. What’s more, the constant flutter of butterflies brings a calmness and serenity to much of the film.
影片中一再出现的意象扮演着重要的角色,譬如下沉的潜水钟象征无助,快速融化的冰山代表鲍比的精神开始振奋。还有再三出现的蝴蝶振翅画面,则为本片带来平和以及宁静。
Whether reading the book or watching the film, one cannot help but feel touched by Jean-Dominique Bauby’s extraordinary tale. Like him, we should never lose sight of our true selves, no matter how hopeless we may feel.
不管是看书或观赏电影,每个人都会对鲍比非比寻常的故事感动不已。就像鲍比一样,不管我们有多无助,都不应该忽略真我。
−by David Vickers
Vocabulary
单词发音
depict [dɪˋpɪkt] v. 描写; 描述
discomfort [dɪsˋkʌmfɚt] n. 不舒服,不适
overall [ˋovɚ͵ɔl] adj. 总的; 从头到尾的
iceberg [ˋaɪs͵bɝg] n. 冰山
serenity [səˋrɛnətɪ] n. 宁静; 平静
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单词发音
adaptation [͵ædæpˋteʃən] n. 改编
rave [rev] adj.【口】赞扬的
review [rɪˋvju] n. 评论
storyline [ˋstorɪ͵laɪn] n. 故事情节
sew [so] v. 缝合;缝上
blur [blɝ] v. 变模糊
quote [kwot] v. 引用;引述
unsettling [ʌnˋsɛt!ɪŋ] adj. 使人不安的
enlightening [ɪnˋlaɪtnɪŋ] adj. 有启发作用的
recurring [rɪˋkɝɪŋ] adj. 不断出现的
flutter [ˋflʌtɚ] n. 振翼
lose sight of 忘掉, 忽略 to forget to consider someone or something
self [sɛlf] n. 自身,自己;自我
The Diving Bell And The Butterfly Trailer