一小时的故事

一小时的故事凯特·<Para<Para<Para<Para<Para从窗口望出去,西边的天空上层层叠叠的云团之间露出一片片蔚蓝。</Para><Para<Para<Paraid="9"><Para可是她的意志就像她那双白嫩纤细的手一样软弱无力。<Para<Para<Para<Para<Paraid="15"><Para“解脱了!身体和灵魂都解脱了!”她不停地低声说。<Para你这样会得病的。你在干什么,露易丝?看在上帝的份上,开开门吧<Paraid="18"><Para<Para<Para<Paraid="22">但是理查兹的行动还是太迟了。<Paraid="23">死于无法承受的高兴!</Para></Paras>>|Abouttheauthor:|KateChopin(1851-1904)wasanAmericannovelistandshort-storywriterbestknownforherstartling1899novel,*TheAwakening*.Herworkispraisedforitsliterarymeritaswellasforitsremarkableindependenceofmindandfeeling.</Text><Sentenceid="1">thenewsofherhusband'sdeathwasrevealedtoherindirectlyandbitbybit</Sentence><Sentenceid="2">thename"BrentlyMallard"appearedatthetopofthenamelistofthedead</Sentence><Sentenceid="3">shefeltextremelytiredandcouldn'tgetridofthefeelingofexhaustion</Sentence><Sentenceid="4">Theairsmelledofsweet<Sentenceid="5">thewrinklesonherfacerevealedthatshewastryinghardtocontrolherstrongfeelingsanddesires</Sentence><Sentenceid="6">showedapausein<Sentenceid="7">shewastryinghardtoavoidthinkingaboutitwithherstrongwillpower</Sentence><Sentenceid="8">Whenshewascompletelyoverwhelmedbythefeelingofbeingfree,shecouldn'thelpwhisperingsomethingtoherselfthroughherslightlyopenlips.</Sentence><Sentenceid="9">Herclearandheightenedconsciousnessmadeherdisregardthenewsofherhusband'sdeathandconsideritas<Sentenceid="10">Bothhusbandandwifeblindlybelievedthatonehadtherighttoimposeone'sownwillupontheother,butnowsuchapowerfulwillnolongerexisted.</Sentence><Sentenceid="11">Shecouldcontrolherownfatenow,whichinhereyessuddenlybecamethestrongestmotiveforherliving.Comparedwiththismotive,love,whichwasstillanunsolvedmystery,meantnothingat<Sentenceid="12">Lookingoutofthewindow,Louisewasimmersedinthefantasyofstayingeternallyyoungintheyearstocome."AnelixirofLife"isessentiallyapotionthatmakesonestayeternallyyoung.HereitsuggeststhatLouisedreamsofbeingeternally<Sentenceid="13">SheimaginedallthepossibilitiesofhercomingTheStoryofan<Preface>Lifeisunpredictable.Itoftenplaystricksonusandsurprisesuswithunexpectedendings.Inthisstory,Mrs.Mallardreactedwithsadnessatthenewsofherhusband'sdeathinatrainaccident,andthenlockedherselfupinherroom,wheresheseemedtobewaitingfearfullyforsomethingthatshefeltwascomingtoher.Whatwasit?</Preface><Author><ahref="asfunction:funcA,KateChopin">Kate<ahref="asfunction:funcB,1">Chopin</a></a></Author><PId="1"><p>(1)</p>KnowingthatMrs.<ahref="asfunction:funcA,Mallard">Mallard</a>was<ahref="asfunction:funcA,afflict">afflicted</a>withahearttrouble,greatcarewastakentobreaktoherasgentlyaspossiblethenewsofherhusband'sdeath.</P><PId="2">Itwashersister<a>Josephine</a>whotoldher,inbrokensentences;<ahref="asfunction:funcC,1"><ahref="asfunction:funcA,veiled">veiled</a><ahref="asfunction:funcA,hint">hints</a>thatrevealedinhalf<ahref="asfunction:funcA,conceal">concealing</a></a>.Herhusband'sfriend<ahref="asfunction:funcA,Richards">Richards</a>wasthere,too,nearher.Itwashewhohadbeeninthenewspaperofficewhenintelligenceoftherailroaddisasterwasreceived,<ahref="asfunction:funcC,2">with<ahref="asfunction:funcA,BrentlyMallard">BrentlyMallard</a>'snameleadingthelistof"killed"</a>.Hehadonlytakenthetimetoassurehimselfofitstruthbyasecondtelegram,andhad<ahref="asfunction:funcA,hasten">hastened</a>topreventanylesscareful,lesstenderfriendinbearingthesadmessage.</P><PId="3">Shedidnothearthestoryasmanywomenhaveheardthesame,withaparalyzedinabilitytoacceptits<ahref="asfunction:funcA,significance">significance</a>.Sheweptatonce,withsudden,wild<ahref="asfunction:funcA,abandonment">abandonment</a>,inhersister'sarms.Whenthestormofgriefhad<ahref="asfunction:funcA,spenditself">spentitself</a>shewentawaytoherroomalone.Shewouldhavenoonefollowher.</P><PId="4">Therestood,facingtheopenwindow,acomfortable,<ahref="asfunction:funcA,roomy">roomy</a><ahref="asfunction:funcA,armchair">armchair</a>.Intothisshesank,presseddown<ahref="asfunction:funcC,3">byaphysicalexhaustion<ahref="asfunction:funcA,haunt">haunted</a>herbody</a>andseemedtoreachintohersoul.</P><PId="5">Shecouldseeintheopensquarebeforeherhousethetopsoftreesthatwereallfullofthenewspringlife.<ahref="asfunction:funcC,4">Thedeliciousbreathofrainwasintheair.</a>Inthestreetbelowa<ahref="asfunction:funcA,peddler">peddler</a>wascryinghis<ahref="asfunction:funcA,wares">wares</a>.Thenotesofadistantsongreachedherfaintly,and<ahref="asfunction:funcA,countless">countless</a>birdsweresinging.</P><PId="6">Therewere<ahref="asfunction:funcA,patch">patches</a>ofblueskyshowinghereandtherethroughthecloudsthathadmetandpiledoneabovetheotherinthewestfacingherwindow.</P><PId="7">Shesatwithherheadthrownbackuponthe<ahref="asfunction:funcA,cushion">cushion</a>ofthechair,quite<ahref="asfunction:funcA,motionless">motionless</a>,exceptwhenasobcameupintoherthroatandshookher,asachildwhohascrieditselftosleepcontinuestosobinitsdreams.</P><PId="8">Shewasyoung,withafair,calmface,<ahref="asfunction:funcC,5">whoselines<a>betrayed</a><ahref="asfunction:funcA,repression">repression</a></a>andevenacertainstrength.Butnowtherewasadullstareinhereyes,whosegazewasfixedononeofthosepatchesofbluesky.Itwasnotaglanceof<ahref="asfunction:funcA,reflection">reflection</a>,butrather<ahref="asfunction:funcC,6">indicateda<ahref="asfunction:funcA,suspension">suspension</a>ofintelligent<PId="9"><p>(2)</p>Therewassomethingcomingtoherandshewaitingforit,<a>fearfully</a>.Whatwasit?Shedidnotknow;itwastoo<ahref="asfunction:funcA,subtle">subtle</a>andvaguetoname.Butshefeltit,creepingoutofthesky,reachingtowardherthroughthesounds,thescents,thecolorthatfilledtheair.</P><PId="10">Nowher<ahref="asfunction:funcA,bosom">bosom</a>roseandfell<ahref="asfunction:funcA,impulsively">impulsively</a>.Shewasbeginningtorecognizethisthingthatwasapproachingtopossessher,and<ahref="asfunction:funcC,7">shewasstrivingto<ahref="asfunction:funcA,beatback">beatitback</a>withherwill</a>–aspowerlessashertwowhite<ahref="asfunction:funcA,slender">slender</a>handswouldhave<PId="11"><ahref="asfunction:funcC,8">Whensheabandonedherselfalittlewhisperedwordescapedherslightlypartedlips.</a>Shesaiditoverandover<ahref="asfunction:funcA,underone'sbreath">underherbreath</a>:"free,free,free!"The<ahref="asfunction:funcA,vacant">vacant</a>stareandthelookofterrorthathadfolloweditwentfromhereyes.Theystayedkeenandbright.Her<ahref="asfunction:funcA,pulse">pulses</a>beatfast,andtherunningbloodwarmedandrelaxedeveryinchofherbody.</P><PId="12">Shedidnotstoptoaskifitwereorwerenota<ahref="asfunction:funcA,monstrous">monstrous</a>joythatheldher.<ahref="asfunction:funcC,9">Aclearandexalted<ahref="asfunction:funcA,perception">perception</a>enabledhertodismissherhusband'sdeathastrivial.</a></P><PId="13">Sheknewthatshewouldweepagainwhenshesawthekind,tenderhandsfoldedindeath;thefacethathadneverlooked<ahref="asfunction:funcA,save">save</a>withloveuponher,fixedandgrayanddead.Butshesawbeyondthatbittermomentalong<ahref="asfunction:funcA,procession">procession</a>ofyearstocomethatwouldbelongtoherabsolutely.Andsheopenedandspreadherarmsouttotheminwelcome.</P><PId="14">Therewouldbenoonetoliveforduringthosecomingyears;shewouldliveforherself.<ahref="asfunction:funcC,10">Therewouldbenopowerfulwillbendinghersinthatblindpersistencewithwhichmenandwomenbelievetheyhavearighttoimposeaprivatewilluponafellow-creature.</a>Akindintentionoracruelintentionmadetheactseemnolessacrimeasshelookeduponitinthatbriefmomentof<ahref="asfunction:funcA,illumination">illumination</a>.</P><PId="15">Andyetshehadlovedhim–sometimes.Oftenshehadnot.Whatdiditmatter!<ahref="asfunction:funcC,11">Whatcouldlove,the<ahref="asfunction:funcA,unsolved">unsolved</a><ahref="asfunction:funcA,mystery">mystery</a>,<ahref="asfunction:funcA,countfor">countfor</a>infaceofthis<ahref="asfunction:funcA,possession">possession</a>of<ahref="asfunction:funcA,self-assertion">self-assertion</a>whichshesuddenlyrecognizedasthestrongestimpulseofherbeing!</a></P><PId="16">"Free!Bodyandsoulfree!"shekept<PId="17">Josephinewaskneelingbeforethecloseddoorwithherlipstothe<ahref="asfunction:funcA,keyhole">keyhole</a>,beggingfor<ahref="asfunction:funcA,admission">admission</a>."<ahref="asfunction:funcA,Louise">Louise</a>,openthedoor!Ibeg,openthedoor–youwillmakeyourselfill.WhatareyoudoingLouise?<ahref="asfunction:funcA,forheaven'ssake">Forheaven'ssake</a>openthedoor."</P><PId="18"><p>(3)</p>"Goaway.Iamnotmakingmyselfill."No;<ahref="asfunction:funcC,12">shewas<ahref="asfunction:funcA,drinkin">drinkingin</a>avery<ahref="asfunction:funcA,theelixirof>elixiroflife</a>throughthatopen<PId="19"><ahref="asfunction:funcC,13">Her<ahref="asfunction:funcA,fancy">fancy</a>was<ahref="asfunction:funcA,runriot">runningriot</a>alongthosedaysaheadofher.</a>Springdays,andsummerdays,andallsortsofdaysthatwouldbeherown.Shebreathedaquick<ahref="asfunction:funcA,prayer">prayer</a>thatlifemightbelong.Itwasonlyyesterdayshehadthoughtwithashudderthatlifemightbe<PId="20">Shearose<ahref="asfunction:funcA,atlength">atlength</a>andopenedthedoor.Therewasa<ahref="asfunction:funcA,feverish">feverish</a>triumphinhereyes,andshecarriedherselflikea<ahref="asfunction:funcA,goddess">goddess</a>ofVictory.Sheclaspedhersister's<ahref="asfunction:funcA,waist">waist</a>,andtogethertheydescendedthestairs.Richardsstoodwaitingforthematthebottom.</P><PId="21">Someonewasopeningthefrontdoorwithakey.ItwasBrentlyMallardwhoentered,alittle<ahref="asfunction:funcA,travel-stained">travel-stained</a>,carryinghis<ahref="asfunction:funcA,briefcase">briefcase</a>andumbrella.Hehadbeenfarfromthesceneoftheaccident,anddidnotevenknowtherehadbeenone.HestoodamazedatJosephine's<ahref="asfunction:funcA,piercing">piercing</a>cry;atRichards'quickmotionto<ahref="asfunction:funcA,screen">screen</a>himfromtheviewofhiswife.</P><PId="22">ButRichardswastoo<PId="23">Whenthedoctorscametheysaidshehaddiedofheartdisease–ofjoythatQuestionsFirstIndent="-20"LeftIndent="20"RightIndent="0"CheckType="noCheck"type="html"><pre><fontface="PalatinoLinotype"><ahref="Q">1.</a>WhathappenedtoMr.Mallardinthestory?<a <ahref="Q">2.</a>WhatwasMrs.Mallard'sfirstreactiontowardsherhusband'sassumeddeath?<a <ahref="Q">3.</a>Whenshewasaloneinherroom,Mrs.Mallardrealizedthat"therewassomethingcomingtoherandshewaswaitingforit,fearfully".Whatwascoming<a <ahref="Q">4.</a>DidMrs.Mallardliveahappylifebeforeherhusband'sassumeddeath?<a <ahref="Q">5.</a>WhatcausedMrs.Mallard'sdeath,accordingtothedoctor?Atthebeginningofthestory,itwasannouncedthatMr.Mallardwaskilledinatrainaccident.However,Mr.Mallardturnedouttobealive,farawayfromthesceneoftheaccident,andhedidnothavethefaintestideaoftheaccident.Afterhearingherhusband'sassumeddeath,Mrs.Mallardweptingriefandthenlockedherselfinherroomalone.Thesenseoffreedomandtheprospectofanew,happyandmeaningfullifeofherownwerecomingtoher.No,shedidnot.Livingasasubordinatetoherhusband,Mrs.Mallardsufferedfromseveredepressionanddidnotlookforwardtoalonglifewithherhusband.Accordingtothedoctor,Mrs.Mallarddiedofheartfailurecausedbythejoyofseeingherhusbandstillalive.>Mrs.Mallardwasheart-brokenatthenewsofherhusband'sdeathandlockedherselfupinherroom.Throughthewindow,shecouldseescenes"fullofthenewspringlife"andshewaslostinSadasshewas,Mrs.Mallardcametorealizethatshefinallyhadthefreedomthatwasdeprivedofherbymarriageandthat,comparedwithfreedom,herhusband,marriage,andevenloveallbecameinsignificanttoher.Shewouldliveforherself.</U></font></td>Whilebeingthrilledattheprospectofanewlifeofherown,Mrs.Mallardsawthereturnofherhusband,whoturnedoutbe"farfromthesceneoftheaccident,anddidnotevenknowtherehadbeenone".Shediedonthespot.Thedoctorsclaimedthatshe"haddiedofheartdisease–ofjoythatkills".</U></font></td>WhatkindofpersondoyouthinkMrs.Mallard<B>My<a <B>Supporting<a <ahref="Q">2.</a>HowdidMrs.Mallardfeelaboutherhusband'sassumeddeath?<B>My<a <B>Supporting<a <ahref="Q">3.</a>DoyouthinkMrs.Mallardeverlovedherhusband?Ifshewaseagertobefree,whydidn'tsheaskforadivorce<B>My<a <B>Supporting<a <Keytype="html"><pre><fontface="Palatino<B>MyMrs.Mallardisayoungandbeautifulwomanbutinpoorhealth.Shelivesacomfortablelifebuthermarriageisanunhappyone.Sheiseagertobefreeandwishestoliveforherselfinsteadofforherhusbandonly.Intheeyeofherhusband,shemightbeameekanddependentwoman,butthefactthatshewouldrathergiveupanythingforfreedomincludingherhusband,marriageandevenlove,impliesthatsheisrebelliousandverymuchstrong-willed–awomanofcharacter.<B>Supporting●KnowingthatMrs.Mallardwasafflictedwithahearttrouble,greatcarewastakentobreaktoherasgentlyaspossiblethenewsofherhusband'sdeath.(Para.1)●Shewasyoung,withafair,calmface,whoselinesbetrayedrepressionandevenacertainstrength.Butnowtherewasadullstareinhereyes,whosegazewasfixedononeofthosepatchesofbluesky.Itwasnotaglanceofreflection,butratherindicatedasuspensionofintelligentthought.(Para.8)●Herfancywasrunningriotalongthosedaysaheadofher.Springdays,andsummerdays,andallsortsofdaysthatwouldbeherown.breathedaquickprayerthatlifemightbelong.Itwasonlyyesterdayshehadthoughtwithashudderthatlifemightbelong.(Para.19)<B>MyAtfirstMrs.Mallardseemedtobeheart-brokenatthenewsofherhusband'sassumeddeath,butshesoonrecoveredfromhergriefandcametorealizethatshewasfreeatlast–freefromtheyokeofmarriageandfreefromdepressioncausedbyherunhappylife.Shewasresolvedtoliveforherselfandshelongedforalonglife.<B>Supporting●InParas.5-8,thedescriptionsofthescenes"fullofthenewspringlife"andherreflectionsuponwhatwasgoingonoutsideherroomallserveasanechotohertruefeelingsaboutherhusband'sassumeddeath.E.g."newspringlife","deliciousbreathofrain","notesofasong","countlessbirdsweresinging,andpatchesofblue●Aclearandexaltedperceptionenabledhertodismissherhusband'sdeathastrivial.(Para.●Butshesawbeyondthatbittermomentalongprocessionofyearstocomethatwouldbelongtoherabsolutely.Andsheopenedandspreadherarmsouttotheminwelcome.(Para.●"Free!Bodyandsoulfree!"shekeptwhispering.(Para.●…shewasdrinkinginaveryelixiroflifethroughthatopenwindow.(Para.18)●Herfancywasrunningriotalongthosedaysaheadofher.Springdays,andsummerdays,andallsortsofdaysthatwouldbeherown