Understanding ideas 课文精读 · 面对未来
一、课文原文及逐段翻译
第1段
For many of us, it's something we already have experienced. One moment, we are lying comfortably in bed, about to fall into a deep sleep. The next, our eyes are open and we find ourselves wondering or even worrying about possibly the most important issue of our lives—the future. Will we get into the school of our choice? What will we be doing in ten years' time? Can we become the person we really want to be? In the face of such questions, how should we approach the future? Can we take action to shape it, or should we just accept whatever comes our way?
我们许多人都有过这样的经历。前一刻，我们正惬意地躺在床上，即将进入深度睡眠。但下一刻，我们就睁开了双眼，发现自己在思考，甚至在担忧可能是人生中最重要的事情——未来。我们能进入心仪的学校吗？十年之后我们会在做什么？我们能够成为真正想成为的人吗？面对这些疑问，我们应该如何迎接未来呢？我们能否采取行动去影响未来，还是该全然接受现实给予我们的一切呢？
第2段
As many of us already know, having plans in place for the future is no guarantee that they will become reality. In this respect, some people are more fortunate than others, as can be illustrated by comparing the lives of two famous authors, born 40 years apart. Although they shared the same ambitious and energetic approach to life, their careers unfolded in contrasting ways.
正如我们许多人都知道的那样，对未来有计划并不能保证它们都会成为现实。就这一方面而言，一些人比别人更幸运，例如，有两位年龄相差40岁的著名作家，对比他们的人生就能证明这一点。虽然他们面对生活时都有远大的志向，而且精力充沛，但他们的职业生涯的发展却截然不同。
第3段
The American author, Ernest Hemingway, born in 1899, was from early boyhood single-minded in his ambition to write. On leaving high school, he joined a local Kansas newspaper as a trainee reporter. He went on to become foreign correspondent for the Toronto Star and used his extraordinary experiences in Europe and later Cuba to inform his writing. In his words, "I decided that I would write one story about each thing that I knew about." Having set himself this goal, he wrote novels and short stories based on his personal experiences of the First World War, the Spanish Civil War, bullfighting and deep-sea fishing, amongst others. His short novel The Old Man and the Sea, about the three-day epic struggle between an elderly fisherman and the biggest fish he had ever caught, won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1953. He would later go on to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.
美国作家欧内斯特·海明威生于1899年，他从小立志，一心一意想要成为作家。高中毕业后，他进入堪萨斯当地一家报社做实习记者。此后，他又成为《多伦多星报》的一名驻外记者，根据在欧洲和后来在古巴的独特经历进行创作。他曾说："我决定把我知道的每一件事都写成一个故事。"在立下这一目标后，他根据自己在第一次世界大战、西班牙内战、斗牛表演和深海捕鱼等的亲身经历，创作了许多长篇和短篇小说。他的短篇小说《老人与海》讲述了一位老渔民与一条自己捕过的最大的鱼进行了三天艰苦卓绝搏斗的故事。这部小说于1953年获得普利策小说奖。海明威后来还荣获了诺贝尔文学奖。
第4段
By contrast, the young Authur Conan Doyle, born in Scotland in 1859, had originally worked as doctor. But Doyle's main ambition was to become a writer of historical novels. Although some of his historical novels were published, their success was nothing compared to the stories of his fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes, which he is still best known for to this day.
相比而言，1859年出生于苏格兰的亚瑟·柯南·道尔，原先是一名医生，但他最大的志向却是成为一名历史小说作家。虽然他出版过一些历史小说，但与他虚构出来的侦探夏洛克·福尔摩斯的故事相比，所取得的成功不可同日而语。直到现在，道尔最广为人知的作品仍是夏洛克·福尔摩斯的故事。
第5段
Interestingly, Doyle wrote some of his early Holmes stories while he was waiting for patients in his medical practice in London. After Sherlock Holmes made him a household name, Doyle gave up medicine and devoted himself entirely to writing. He still longed to become known for his historical novels amongst other academic works. The public, however, couldn't get enough of Sherlock Holmes. In desperation, Doyle killed off the famous detective in a novel published in 1893 so that he could focus on his "serious" writing. However, fans of Holmes were so angry that Doyle, under immense pressure, was forced to bring Holmes back from the dead. Doyle's many historical novels, plays, poems and academic papers have remained largely forgotten, but Sherlock Holmes has been entertaining readers for well over a century.
有趣的是，一些早期的福尔摩斯故事是道尔在伦敦行医期间，在等候病人的时候创作的。在夏洛克·福尔摩斯让他变得家喻户晓后，道尔放弃了行医，全身心地投入创作。除了其他学术作品，他还是渴望自己能因历史小说而出名。然而，公众却对夏洛克·福尔摩斯的故事百读不厌。绝望之下，道尔在一部出版于1893年的小说中杀死了这位著名的侦探，以便专心创作他的"严肃"作品。然而，福尔摩斯迷们对此感到非常愤怒，这使得道尔在巨大压力之下，不得不让福尔摩斯起死回生。道尔的很多历史小说、戏剧、诗歌和学术论文几乎都被人遗忘了，但夏洛克·福尔摩斯却在一个多世纪以来一直吸引着读者。
第6段
Though both of these men were ultimately successful, their paths to success were very different, their futures not necessarily turning out exactly as they planned. So, whatever twists and turns you might encounter, take a leaf out of the books of these two authors and be prepared for the unexpected. As renowned tech innovator Steve Jobs once said, "You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future."
虽然这两位作家最终都获得了成功，但他们的成功之路却截然不同，他们的未来也不一定完全如他们当初所计划的那样。因此，不管未来你会遇到怎样的坎坷和曲折，都应以这两位作者为榜样，做好应对意外的准备。正如著名的科技创新者史蒂夫·乔布斯所说："你无法预见性地将生命中的点滴串联起来，只有在回头看时，你才会发现这些点滴之间的联系。所以你要坚信，你现在所经历的，将在你未来的生命中串联起来。"
二、重点单词
experience v. / n.：经历；体验。something we already have experienced（我们已经经历过的）
issue n.：问题；议题。the most important issue of our lives（人生中最重要的问题）
approach v.：应对；处理；接近。how should we approach the future（我们应如何迎接未来）
guarantee n.：保证；担保。no guarantee that they will become reality（不能保证会成为现实）
fortunate adj.：幸运的。some people are more fortunate than others（一些人比别人更幸运）
ambitious adj.：有雄心的；志向远大的。the same ambitious and energetic approach（同样远大而精力充沛的人生态度）
unfold v.：展开；发展。their careers unfolded in contrasting ways（他们的职业生涯以截然不同的方式展开）
correspondent n.：通讯记者；通讯员。foreign correspondent for the Toronto Star（多伦多星报驻外记者）
extraordinary adj.：非凡的；独特的。his extraordinary experiences（他独特的经历）
single-minded adj.：一心一意的；坚定的。single-minded in his ambition to write（一心想当作家）
household adj.：家喻户晓的。made him a household name（让他家喻户晓）
devote v.：致力于；献身。devoted himself entirely to writing（全身心投入写作）
desperation n.：绝望；拼命。In desperation, Doyle killed off the detective（绝望之下，道尔杀死了侦探）
ultimately adv.：最终；根本上。both of these men were ultimately successful（两人最终都成功了）
renowned adj.：著名的；有声望的。As renowned tech innovator Steve Jobs（正如著名科技革新者乔布斯）
encounter v.：遭遇；遇到。whatever twists and turns you might encounter（无论遇到怎样的坎坷曲折）
三、一词多义与熟词生义
issue 常见义为"发行、出版（刊物）"或"议题"，课文中 the most important issue of our lives 指"人生中的重要问题、关切之事"，作可数名词。
approach 作名词常指"方法、途径"，课文 how should we approach the future 中作动词，意为"面对、应对、迎接"，强调主动态度。
ambitious 可指"有雄心的"，也可含贬义指"耗费过大的、奢望的"；课文中取褒义，形容两人"志向远大"。
household 本义为名词"家庭、住户"，课文中 a household name 转为形容词性用法，意为"家喻户晓的名字/人人皆知的人物"。
fortunate 来自 fortune（运气、财富），fortunate 指"幸运的"；文中 more fortunate 用比较级表示"机遇更好"，与财富无关。
entertain 常见义"款待、招待"，课文 Sherlock Holmes has been entertaining readers 引申为"（作品）使……愉悦、吸引（读者）"，即"给读者带来乐趣"。
四、重点词块
fall into a deep sleep 进入深度睡眠
in the face of 面对（困难、问题等）
take action 采取行动
accept whatever comes our way 接受现实给予我们的一切
in place 准备好；在适当位置
no guarantee that 不能保证……
in this respect 在这一方面
born 40 years apart 相差40年出生
on leaving high school 高中毕业后
go on to become 接着成为……
based on 以……为基础；基于
win the Pulitzer Prize 获得普利策奖
make sb a household name 使某人家喻户晓
devote oneself to 致力于；投身于
take a leaf out of the books of 以……为榜样；学……的样子
be prepared for the unexpected 做好应对意外的准备
connect the dots 串联生命中的点滴（理清关联）
五、长难句拆解
【原句 1】The next, our eyes are open and we find ourselves wondering or even worrying about possibly the most important issue of our lives—the future.
【主干】our eyes are open and we find ourselves wondering or worrying.
【分层】The next 承前省略主语 we are，相当于 The next moment；find ourselves wondering 中 wondering 为现在分词作宾语补足语；about 介词短语修饰 wondering/worrying；破折号后的 the future 是 issue 的同位语。
【译文】但下一刻，我们就睁开了双眼，发现自己在思考，甚至在担忧人生中最重要的事情——未来。
【考点】find + 宾语 + doing 复合结构；同位语；并列句。
【原句 2】In this respect, some people are more fortunate than others, as can be illustrated by comparing the lives of two famous authors, born 40 years apart.
【主干】some people are more fortunate than others.
【分层】In this respect 为评注性状语；as 引导非限制性定语从句，指代前面整个分句，as 在从句中作主语，谓语为 can be illustrated；born 40 years apart 为过去分词短语作后置定语修饰 authors。
【译文】就这一方面而言，一些人比别人更幸运，例如对比两位年龄相差40岁的著名作家的人生就能证明这一点。
【考点】as 引导的非限制定语从句；过去分词作后置定语；比较级 more...than。
【原句 3】Having set himself this goal, he wrote novels and short stories based on his personal experiences of the First World War, the Spanish Civil War, bullfighting and deep-sea fishing, amongst others.
【主干】he wrote novels and short stories.
【分层】Having set himself this goal 为现在分词完成式作时间状语，表示"立下目标之后"；based on ... 为过去分词短语作后置定语修饰 novels and short stories；of 后接多个并列名词短语列举经历。
【译文】在立下这一目标后，他根据自己在第一次世界大战、西班牙内战、斗牛和深海捕鱼等的亲身经历，创作了许多长篇和短篇小说。
【考点】分词完成式作状语；based on 过去分词作定语；并列名词结构。
【原句 4】In desperation, Doyle killed off the famous detective in a novel published in 1893 so that he could focus on his "serious" writing.
【主干】Doyle killed off the famous detective.
【分层】in a novel 作状语；published in 1893 为过去分词作后置定语修饰 novel；so that 引导目的状语从句，表"以便、为了"。
【译文】绝望之下，道尔在一部出版于1893年的小说中杀死了这位著名的侦探，以便专心创作他的"严肃"作品。
【考点】过去分词作定语；so that 目的状语从句。
【原句 5】Though both of these men were ultimately successful, their paths to success were very different, their futures not necessarily turning out exactly as they planned.
【主干】their paths were very different.
【分层】Though 引导让步状语从句；their futures not necessarily turning out ... 为"名词 + 现在分词"构成的独立主格结构，补充说明前句；as they planned 为方式状语从句。
【译文】虽然这两位作家最终都获得了成功，但他们的成功之路截然不同，他们的未来也不一定完全如当初所计划的那样。
【考点】though 让步状语从句；独立主格结构（名词+分词）；as 引导的方式状语从句。
六、语法点清单
1. 现在完成时（have / has + done）
课文多处用现在完成时描述与现在有联系的状态，如 what we already have experienced；have remained largely forgotten；has been entertaining readers for well over a century（与 for 短语连用表持续）。
2. 非谓语动词作状语（分词、独立主格）
born 40 years apart（过去分词作定语）；Having set himself this goal（分词完成式作时间状语）；their futures not necessarily turning out ...（独立主格结构作补充说明）。
3. 比较结构（more...than / as...as）
more fortunate than others；as can be illustrated（as 引导比较/非限制定语从句）；nothing compared to ...（compared to 过去分词表比较）。
4. 同位语
the most important issue of our lives—the future；Sherlock Holmes 后接 which 定语从句说明其身份；the dots 后接 looking forward 分词修饰。
5. so that 引导的目的 / 结果状语从句
so that he could focus on his "serious" writing（目的）；fans were so angry that Doyle was forced ...（so...that 结果）。
6. 直接引语与引述动词
In his words, "I decided that..."；As Steve Jobs once said, "You can't connect..."。注意引语内部 that 宾语从句的时态呼应。
七、逻辑链
引子（第1段）：夜半惊醒、忧心未来 → 提出"如何迎接未来"之问
↓
过渡（第2段）：计划≠现实 → 以两位相差40年的作家对比引出论点
↓
个案一（第3段）：海明威从小立志写作，依亲身经历成材，获普利策奖与诺贝尔奖
↓
个案二（第4—5段）：道尔弃医从文，家喻户晓却因"福尔摩斯"而非理想中的历史小说 → 公众追捧迫其"复活"侦探
↓
收束（第6段）：二人殊途同归 → 启示读者以他们为榜样、接纳意外，相信点滴终将串联
这是一篇"现象—举例—升华"的论说/随笔文：第1—2段由普遍心理切入并提出核心设问；第3—5段用海明威与道尔一成一"偏成"的对比，论证"未来未必如计划"；第6段总结并借乔布斯名言点题，引导读者以开放心态面对未知。
八、写作迁移
模板 1：In the face of such questions, how should we ...?
课文：In the face of such questions, how should we approach the future?
仿写：In the face of such challenges, how should we respond to climate change?（面对这样的挑战，我们该如何应对气候变化？）——用于由现象引出思考与设问。
模板 2：As many of us already know, ... is no guarantee that ...
课文：having plans in place for the future is no guarantee that they will become reality.
仿写：As many already know, hard work is no guarantee that one will succeed.（众所周知，努力并不保证一定成功。）——用于转折、破除迷思。
模板 3：Having set himself this goal, he wrote ... based on ...
课文：Having set himself this goal, he wrote novels based on his personal experiences.
仿写：Having made up her mind, she founded a charity based on her own story.（下定决心后，她以自己的经历创办了慈善机构。）——用于叙述"确立目标后付诸行动"。
模板 4：take a leaf out of the books of ... and be prepared for ...
课文：take a leaf out of the books of these two authors and be prepared for the unexpected.
仿写：take a leaf out of the books of great scientists and be prepared for failure.（以伟大科学家为榜样，做好面对失败的准备。）——用于结尾给出行动建议。
模板 5：You can't ... looking forward; you can only ... looking backwards.
课文：You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards.
仿写：You can't judge a career looking forward; you can only judge it looking backwards.（你无法前瞻地评判一段事业，只能回望时方知得失。）——用于哲理式收尾、升华主题。
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