parley v.having meeting with enemies or opponents to discuss terms for peace 与敌对方和谈。
gang n.[贬] 一伙人, 一帮人。
yoke n.oppressive control; burdensome restraint 约束。
Nazidom n.纳粹统治。
steadfastly ad.坚定不移地。
British Empire and Commonwealth of Nations 大英帝国及英联邦国家。
creed n.a system of beliefs and principles 信条,教条。
divergence n.转向, 转移。
slacken v.放松。
woeful a.可悲的; 糟糕透顶的。
fortify v.加强。
tyranny n.暴政, 专制。
blood-lust n.strong desire to kill peopleimpelled v.drive someone to action 驱使某人做某事。
lure v.引诱。
hurl v.投掷。
prelude n.前奏; 序幕。
subjugation n.gain control of; conquer 征服。
the Western Hemisphere European and American countries quarter n.part.
redouble our exertions 加倍努力。
Ⅲ.About the Speech
The speech on Hitler s invasion of the U .S .S .R , addressed by Winston S .
Churchill, was a declaration of war against the Nazi Germany, when Hitler and his army had forced their way into the Soviet Russia .
It was more like a de facto announcement to all the European countries,including those that had already fallen to the German invaders.And the main tone of Churchill was to arouse symphony amongst the countries that had conflicts against Germany, and propose a formation of alliance .
Ⅳ.Notes to the Text
1.If Hitler should attack Hell, a most hated place, I would still say a word in favor of the Devil, the foe of mankind , in the House of Commons; I would say a word in favor of anyone who is attacked by Hitler, no matter how bad or evil he was in the past .
2.The Nazi state does not have any ideal or guiding principle at all.All it has is a strong desire for conquest and rule by the“Aryan”race, the allegedly most superior race in the world .
3.All this becomes less and less important compared with Hitler s on-going large-scale military attack on Russia .
4.It is so difficult for such a large number of farmers to make a living in Soviet Russia (attention to“the means of existence is wrung so hardly from upon mankind.And his speech made the audience believe that they were fighting with help from the God, from the friends and from the alliance,and that they were trying to achieve the goal to drive Hitler out of power and liberate the people from his rule.Attention to the clause beginning with“as” : the repetitive part“take the same course and pursue it”is left out so that the words“faithfully and steadfastly”stand out clearly .
11.The author sarcastically describes Hitler s naive and mistaken thought on invading U .S .S .R.This sentence is very ironical and would leave on the audience a very deep impression of Hitler s evil deed and silly decision .
12.In this part, to further arouse supporting voices, Churchill spoke on behalf of the whole British Empire and the Commonwealth of Nations, even the United States, that this was not a class war, but a war to rescue mankind from Hitler s tyranny, and he firmly stated that the allies would be strengthened in determination and in resources .
13.Churchill revealed the key point why the Continental countries were struck down one after another: they were not in a united action and therefore they had no strength to be match of the aggressive, ambitious Nazi army.This will effectively cool those overoptimistic people down and make them realize the seriousness .
14.Hitler would attack England with all his forces after conquering the Soviet Union.The term“this island”refers to England .
15.If Hitler could not conquer the Soviet Union, he would not be able to escape the punishment for all the evil he did .
16.Churchill s speech was a very successful one.It had not only done its main purpose of declaring a war to the Nazi regime, but also to its maximum capacity had aroused morale, confidence and sympathy among the audiences, namely the English people, so that they were in support of the war against Germany and would be ready to fight .
Ⅴ.Text-Related Practice
A.Questions for discussion:
1.What“crimes” ,“follies”and“tragedies”did Churchill refer to ?
2.Why did Churchill side with the Soviet Union since he had always been anavowed enemy of communism ?
B.Replace the italicized words with simple , everyday words:
1.There only remained the task of composing it .
2.The Germans...seemed to be driving forward with great rapidity andviolence .
3.Hitler was counting on enlisting capitalist and Right Wing sympathies .
4.He reverted to this theme .
5.He devoted the whole day to it.
6.I see the Russian soldiers standing on the threshold of their native land .
7.I see the Russian soldiers guarding the fields...tilled from timeim memorial.
8.I see that small group of villainous men, who plan , organize.
9.I feel sure it is a decision in which the Great Dominions will in due courseconcur.
10.We will never parley.
Text B
Of StudiesFrancis Bacon
Studies serve for delight , for ornament, and for ability.Their chief use for delight , is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgement and disposition of business .
For expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars, one by one;but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best form those that are learned.To spend too much time in studies is sloth; to use them too much for ornament , is affectation; to make judgement wholly by their rules, is the humour of a scholar .
They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience: for natural abilities are like natural plants, that need proyning by study; and studies themselves do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by experience .
Crafty men contemn studies, simple men admire them, and wise men use them; for they teach not their own use; but that is a wisdom without them , and above them, won by observation .
Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted;nor to find talk and discourse; but to weigh and consider .