新视野大学英语读写教程（第三版）Book2 Unit 3课文讲解

Section A

Journey through the odyssey years Background information 1.generation groups in the west

Generation gaps，referring to difference between young people and their

elders，especially between children and their parents，have often been attributed to rapid cultural change，particularly musical tastes，fashion，culture and politics. Some special terms for different generations have thus been coined in English-speaking countries：

Generation Jones：A term used to describe the generation born right after World War ｜｜ in 1945 through 1965.It's usually identified with “baby boomers”.Key characteristics assigned to these members are less optimism，distrust of

government，and generally used to refer to people born in the 1960s.This generation marks the period of birth decline after the baby boom. The generation was pushed toward adulthood at an age earlier than any other recent generations. They are more ethnically diverse and better educated than the baby boomers.

Generation Y：Also known as the Millennial Generation and many of them are children of baby boomers .Their birth years range from the early 1980s to the early 2000s.It's generally marked by an increase use and familiarity with communications，media，and digital technologies.

Generation Z：Also known as the net or the internet Generation. In the US and other Western nations，it is a common name for the people born from the mid.1990s or early 2000s through to the present. This generation has spend their entire life with the World Wide Web and high tech gadgets.

2.the odyssey years

The term odyssey years originated from The odyssey，a long poem by the Greek author Homer，which is a sequel of the Greek hero，Odysseus. It describes

Odysseus's long journey，trying to return home from adventures and war. For English speakers，as many as for many cultures，the very name of poem，The Odyssey，has become a special term for an epic journey，or great struggle. The man character in the epic poem（史诗），Odysseus，was wandering away from home and loved ones. During his journey of 10 years，he encountered repeated troubles and challenges. The key insight in Odyssey is that the essentials of the journey are not only outward struggle against tremendous difficulties，but，more importantly，inward struggles leading to personal growth. His journey is the one of self-discovery and of combating his own

arrogance and pride from his young rebel heart. Therefore, it makes sense to borrow The Odyssey from Greek mythology to describe the rebellious years young people usually go through. The term odyssey year is a metaphor of this special stage for young people.

Detailed study of the text

1Most of us know about the phases of life which we label to parallel different age

groups and life stages childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age.(Para.1)

Meaning: Most of us know about he different life stages that we describe according to different age groups: childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age.

phase:n.[C] one of the sages of a process of development or change 阶段；时期 As time are changing, we?re entering a new phase in international relation.随着时代的变化，我们正进入国际关系的新阶段。 label;

vt. Attach a label onto sth. or write information on sth.贴标签于；用标签标明 Mom carefully labeled each jar with its content and the date.妈妈仔细地在每个罐子上标明装物和日期。

n.[C] a piece of paper or other material which gives you information about the object it is fixed to 标签

Remember to put your address labels on your suitcases.记得在你的箱子上系上你的地址标签 parellel：vt.

1） be equal or smile to sth. 与...相当或相似

His career parallels that of his father.他的事业和他父亲有相似之处。 2) be the same distant apart at every point along their whole length与...平行 The steam parallels the road for several miles.小溪与这条路平行数英里。

adolescence：n.[U]the time.usu.between the ages of 12 and 18，when a young person is developing into an adult 青春期

This another novel about the joys and sorrows of

adolescence.这是另外一本关于青春期的快乐与悲伤的小说。

2We think of infancy before childhood and middle age before old age，with each

unique phase bringing its own peculiar set of challenges.（Para.1）

Meaning：We sequence the life stages of infancy，childhood，middle age and old age according to their natural older，with each particular life stage facing its own featured challenges.

Sentence structure Note

“with+名词/代词+现代分词”作独立主格结构

“with+名词/代词+现代分词”构成独立主格结构，主要用作状语，可以表示伴随、方式、原因、时间等。with之后的名词和其后的现代分词构成主谓关系，其中现代分词表示主动或正在进行的动作。例如：

She sat down at the table，with each dish emitting a delicious

smell.她在餐桌旁坐了下来，每道菜都发出扑鼻的香味。（状语表示伴随） The girl sat there quite silent with her eyes fixing on the

wall.女孩坐在那里一言不发，目不转睛地盯着墙壁。（状语表示方式） With our food running out，we had to walk to a village for

help.由于我们的食物即将吃完，我们不得不步行到一个村子寻求帮助.（状语表示原因）

With summer coming，it is becoming hotter and

hotter.随着夏季来临，天气变得越来越热。（状语表示时间） peculiar：a.

1）If sth. peculiar to a particular person，place or situation，it is a feature that only belongs to that person，or only exists in that place or situation为某人/某地/某事物所待有的

He likes to do things in his own peculiar way

/manner/fashion他喜欢用自己独特的方法/方式做事

2）strange，unfamiliar，or a little surprising奇怪的；异常的 That young woman，wearing a man's hat，looks somewhat

peculiar.那位年轻的女子带着一顶男人的帽子，看起来有点奇怪。

Usage NOTE

Peculiar, characteristic, unusual Peculiar, characteristic

和unusual都可用作形容词，都含有表示?有特点的，有特色的?等意思，但有细微差别。

1从词义上说，peculiar着重?独特性?强调?与众不同的?特征；characteristic常强调

所指性质，也可以表示这些性质使某一事物区别于其它的食物，unusual强调?少见的?，与通常的情况?截然不同的?或?未曾预料的?特征。例如 The wine has a peculiar taste.这种酒有种独特的味道。

It?s was not unusual for me to come home at two or three in the morning.凌晨两三点回家对我来说是很平常的事。

2从用法上说，peculiar通常和介词to搭配，表示?为某人或某物所特有?；charact

eristic通常和介词of搭配，表示?某物或某人有特性、特征、特色?；unusual通常和介词for搭配，表示?对…不同寻常? 例如：

Great minds in general look at life in a way peculiar to

themselves.一般来说，伟大的思想家都以自己独特的眼光来看待生活。

With the friendly and generous care so characteristic of these people, they opened their house to over guests.这些人以特有的友好和慷概关爱，在家接待了多位客人。 It?s not unusual of teenagers to go through a phase when they feel ashamed of their parents, afraid that they might not live up to their friends?

standards.青少年经历为自己的父母感到羞愧的阶段时很平常的，他们生怕自己的父母达不到他们朋友所设的标准。

3 The challengers can be overcome by acquainting ourselves with them, such as the

child?s need to learn, the adult's need to find the right career and build a family, and the senior's need for support and good health care.(Para.1)

meaning: By familiarizing ourselves with the particular challenges such as the needs for different age groups: child, adult, and senior, we can surely overcome all these challenges.

Meaning beyond words：if we stay positive and optimistic, we?ll successfully handle the challenges at different life stages.

acquaint:vt.[fml.]give sb. information about sth. 介绍；使认识；使了解

Please acquaint us with you plans as soon as possible.请尽快将你的计划告诉我们 acquaint oneself with sth.; make an effort to learn about sth.使自己了解某事；使自己知悉某事

if you want to travel abroad, it?s worth your time and effort to acquaint yourself with the customs and social conventions of the countries you plan to

visit.如果你想出国旅行，花些时间和精力去了解你计划去的哪些国家的习惯和社会习俗是值得的。

4 Interestingly, ideas about the stages of life are changing(Para.2)

Meaning beyond words: Since the sentence states that the ideas about life stages are changing, it?s predicable that the following text will focus on this topic.

5 In previous times, people didn't have a solid idea of childhood as being separate from

adulthood.

A hundred years ago, no one thought of adolescence.(Para.3)

Meaning:In the past, people didn't have a clear concept about separating childhood from adulthood. Children were simply seen as youngsters. Likewise, people didn't think about the life stage of adolescence a hundred years ago.

Previous: a.(only before noun)having happened or existed before the event, time, or thing that you are talking about now以前的；先前的

He has tow daughters from a previous marriage.他在前一次婚姻中育有两女。

6 Until recently it was understood as a norm that their induction to adulthood was

completed as soon as they graduated from college. They would now find a sensible job which would lead to a career.(Para.3)

Meaning: People used to consider it normal: As soon as students graduated from college, they would become part of the adult community and find a practical and reliable job toward a career.

Meaning beyond words: Things are no longer the same as they were in the past. College graduates won't find an ideal job right after they graduate from school. Tt'll take longer time before they start with their career.

Induction: n.[C,U] the introduction of sb. into a new job, company official position, etc.,or the ceremony at which this is done就职；入门；就职仪式 Mrs. Simpson is responsible for the induction of the new library stuff.辛普森太太负责图书馆新职员的入职。 sensible: a.reasonable, practical, and showing good

judgment合理的；切合实际的；明智的

It would be sensible to take an umbrella with you since there are dark clouds in the sky.因为天空已乌云密布，你带一把伞是明智的。

Usage NOTE

Sensible, sensitive

1 sensible表示?明智的?，如：a sensible person(一个明智的人)，a sensible

plan(一个切合实际的计划)。A sensible person makes good decisions and judgments based on reason rather than

emotion.一个明智的人会根据理智而不是情感来作出合理的决定和判断。

2sensitive在词义上表示“敏感的；易受影响的”。例如： A sensitive person is

easily upset by others people?s remarks or

behavior.敏感的人很容易因他人的言论或行为而生气。 Sensitive to表示“对…过敏的；对…理解的”。例如：

Unfortunately, she is sensitive to penicillin, and I doubt whether any other drug will help her.不幸地是，他对青霉素过敏，我不能确定是否有其他药物可以帮助他。 We?re trying to make people more sensitive to the difficulties faced by working mothers.我们正在努力使人们更理解上班族妈妈所面临的困难。

7Then during this career they would start a family, ideally before they turned

30(Para.3)

Meaning: While working on their career, they would get married to start their own family, preferably by age 30.

8 Today we have an equivalent need to recognize a new phase of life comes after high

school graduation, continues through college, and then leads to starting a family and having a career, the so-called odyssey years.(Para.4)

Meaning: Today we are also required to recognize a new life stage which starts from high school graduation through college till they settle down with with a family and a career.This new phase might be called the odyssey years,the years of self-discovery. equivalent:

a. Having the same value, purpose, job, etc, as a person or thing of a different kind 等值的；同等的；相当的

His silence is equivalent to an approval.他的沉默等于同意.。

n.[C]sth. That is too expensive for me; it costs the equivalent of a whole year?s salary of mine.这辆车对我来说太贵了，它相当于我去全年的工资。

so-called: a.(only before noun) used to show that sth. or sb. Is usu. called a particular name如此称呼的；号称的

They?ve found the flight recorder, the so-called black box.他们发现了飞行记录器，即所谓的黑匣子。

9Recent trends show radical changes as young people are following a different agenda.

(Para.4)

Meaning: As young people are living a different lifestyle, the society has gone through tremendous changes.

Meaning beyond words: Young people tend to behave rebelliously, which is contrary to the traditional way and beyond the expectations of their parents. radical:a.

1)used fore saying that a change or way of doing sth. is new and very different from the usual way(改变或方式)彻底的，根本的

2) To work within our budget, we need to make some radical changes to our operating procedures.为了配合预算，我们对操作程序需要一些根本的改变。

2）used for saying that an idea is very new and different, and against what most people think or believe激进的；前卫的

There is political tension between radical and conservation politicians.激进与保守的政客之间的政治关系紧张。

agent:n.[C] all the things that need to be done or that need to be thought or solved日常工作事项

There are no excursions or sightseeing trips on his agenda. It?s just

work,work,work.他的日常工作事项中没有短途出行或观光，除了工作还是工作。

10 They take breaks from school, live with friends and often return to living with

their parents. (Para.4)

Meaning:They stop going to school for a while live with friends and often even return to living with their parents

Meaning beyond words:They obviously have more freedom than older generation. take a break from:rest for a short period of time when you stop doing sth.中断；暂停 She took a break from her work to make herself some coffee and then resumed a few minutes

later.她暂停了一会工作，给自己跑了一点咖啡，然后几分钟后继续工作。

11 Similarly, they fall in and out of love, quit one jib and try another or even shift to a

new career. (Para.4)

Meaning: Likewise they fall in and out of love, give up one job and try another, or change to a completely different profession.

Meaning beyond words: Before they finally settle down, college graduates need to accumulate life experiences-to discover themselves during their odyssey years. quit:v.(infml.)leave a job, school, etc, esp. Without completely finishing it 离开（工作岗位，学校等）；离任，离校

The majority of smokers say that they would like to quit smoking.大多数的吸烟者说他们是想戒烟的。 shift：

V. move form one place or position to another or make sth. do this(使)移动；（使）转移（地点或位置）

The wind is expected to shift to the east tomorrow.预计明天会向东移。

n.[C] a change in the way people think about sth.,in the way sth. Is done,etc.(想法、做法等的）改变

The company reacted quickly to shifts in consumer demand.该公司对消费者需求的变化反应迅速。

12 So,we need to recognize the new stage,the odyssey years,which many now

consider to be an unavoidable stage in reaching adulthood.(Para.4)

Meaning:Therefore,it is necessary to recognized this unavoidable new stage, where young people explore life in order to reach adulthood.

13 People who were born prior to the 60s or 70s in the last century tended to frame

their concept of adulthood based upon achieving certain accomplishments: moving away from home, becoming financially independent, finding the right spouse and staring a family.(Para.5)

Meaning: People born before the 1960s or 1970s were likely to define the term adulthood according to certain accomplishments, such as moving away from home, having financial independence, and starting a family with a good husband or wife. prior:a.(fml.) happening, existing, or done before a particular time 先前的，之前的，事先的

Illegally parked cars may be removed at any time without prior notice.违章停放的车辆随时会被挪走，无需事先告知。 prior to sth.:(fml.) before sth.在某事之前，先于某事

Although his aunt was gravely ill with cancer, she didn?t suffer the weeks prior to her death.虽然他的姑姑患了癌症，病得很重，但他在去世前的几个星期并没有遭受痛苦。

tend to do sth.:usu. do a particular thing 倾向于；往往会，易于做某事 People tend to need less sleep as they get

older.随着年纪的增长，人们需要的睡眠会变少。 frame:

Vt.(fml.) carefully plan the way you?re going to ask a question, make a statement, etc.(小心措辞以）表达

She wondered how she was going to frame the question.她不知道怎么来提这个问题。

n.[C] a structure made of wood, metal, plastic, etc. that surrounds sth. such as a picture or window, and holds it in place框架，边框

The wind rattled through the cracks of the window frames.风穿过窗框的裂缝咯咯作响。

base upon/on:use sth. as the thing from which sth. is developed以。。。为基础；以...为根据

These are the key factors for being a successful speaker, and they are based on my pwn experience.这些是成为一名成功的演说家的关键因素是以我自己的经验为基础的。

spouse:n.[C](fml.) a husband or wife 配偶

People can never be too careful when they choose a

spouse.人们在选择配偶时要格外谨慎。

14 But that emphasis on stability did not remain static. Today, young people are

unlikely to do the same.(Para.5)

Meaning: However, stability didn?t stay the same forever since young people since young people today are doing things differently from their parents,

Meaning beyond words: Young people today are unlikely to behave the same way as was at one time considered as the norm: moving away from home, becoming

financially independent, finding the right spouse and starting a family right after they graduated from college.

stability:n.[U] a situation in which things happen as they should and there are no harmful changes稳固，稳定

In order to prosper, a country must have political economic and social

stability.为实现繁荣昌盛，一个国家必须在政治、经济和社会上保持稳定。 static:a, not moving,changing,or

developing不动的，不变化的，不发展的，静止的

Although oil prices never remain static, they have, at least, been stable for the last few months.虽然油价不会保持不变，但至少在过去的几个月是一直保持稳定的。

15 During the odyssey years, a high proportion of young people are delaying marriage,

child bearing, and even employment. (Para.5)

Meaning: Many young people postpone getting married, having children and taking a job during their odyssey years.

proportion:n.[C,usu.sing](~of) a part of number or amount, considered in relation to the whole部分；份额

It is a sad reality that children make up a large proportion of the world?s population who suffers from

hunger.儿童占世界上遭受饥饿人口的很大部分，这是一个悲哀的现实。

16 The odyssey years can saddle young people with enormous pressure to move

forward quickly.(Para.6)

Meaning:The odyssey years can make young people feel much stressed to move ahead quickly. saddle:

V. put a saddle on a horse给（马）装鞍具；装上马鞍 Why don?t we saddle a couple of horses and go for a ride?我们为什么不给几匹马装上鞍具去跑一圈呢？ n[C] a seat,often made of leather, used on a

horse,bicycle,motorcycle,etc.马鞍；（自行车、摩托车等的）车座 When i watch horse racing on television, I wish I was back in the saddle.我在电视剧上观看赛马时，我希望自己又回到了马鞍上。 saddle sb. with sth.:give sb, sth, that is difficult to deal with 使某人承担苦差事；使某人负重担

The company is saddled with debt due to the consequence of an increased cost of

production,生产成本的提高使该公司陷入了债务。

17 As the sole heir and focus of their parents? expectations, hopes and dreams, some

react with rebellious and prideful attitudes and behavior toward their parents.(Para.6) Meaning: Being the only heir and focus of their parents? expectations, hopes and dreams, some young people behaved rebelliously and proudly toward their parents. heir:n.[C] the person who has the legal right to receive the property or title of another person when they die 继承人

The king?s eldest son is the heir to the royal seat of power.国王的长子是王位的权力继承人。 rebel:

n.[C] sb. Who opposes or flights against people in authority造反者，反叛者 A Red Cross car drove into the rebel territory to help the wounded.红十字会的车开进反叛军的领地去帮助伤员。

vi. Oppose sb. in authority accepted ways of doing things造反；反抗（权威或常规） The people rebelled against the harsh new government.人民反抗苛刻的新政府。 rebellious:a. deliberetely nor obeying people in authority or rules of behavior叛徒的，翻盘的，反抗的。

Her teachers regard her as a rebellious, trouble-making girl, but in fact she never causes any

trouble.她的老师认为他是一个有逆反心理、且会制造麻烦的女孩，可事实上她从来都不会惹麻烦。

18 They often resent the pressure they?re felling and keep a distance from their parents

or even run away from home.(Para.6)

Meaning:They often feel upset about the stress have and stay away from their parents or even secretly leave home.

resent:vt. Feel angry or upset because you think you have been treated unfairly or without enough respect对...感到愤恨（不满） The young girl bitterly resented her father?s new wife.这个年轻女孩极为憎恨父亲的新妻子。

keep a distance from: stay far enough away from sb. or sth, be safe保持距离

When driving fast on the highway, you should always keep a distance from the car in front of you to avoid hitting that

car.在高速公路上快速行驶时，应该总是跟前面的车保持一定的距离，以免撞上。

run away from：leave a place.esp.secrectly，in order to escape from sb. or sth.（尤指）秘密地逃跑，出逃

Her mother's continual criticizing drove her into running away from home.她母亲不断批评她，促使她离家出走。

19Their confusion comes from the difficulties to make parents understand them and

the fluid journey of discovery they need in this phase of their lives.（Para.6）

Meaning：They get confused because it's hard to communicate with their parents and

also because the journey of self-discovery they need in this particular life stage is full of uncertainty.

Meaning beyond words：In addition to the uncertainty of this newly added life stage，there is a generation gap between parents and children，which could be frustrating to young people. fluid：

a. likely to change 不固定的；易变的

The military situation is still very fluid.军事局势仍然非常不确定。 n.[C，U]a liquid 液（体）

If you have a fever，you should drink plenty of fluids.如果发烧，就需要吸入大量的液体。

20To get away from this confusion an?d upset，many young people resort to computer

games，iPods，iPhones，or iPads to help distract them from their pain and stress.（Para.6）

Meaning:In order not to be bothered by this confusion and frustration and to forget about their pain and stress, many young people turn to computer games,,iPods,iPhones,or iPads.

Meaning beyond words: As young people can?t bear such big stress, they try to do something which will make them feel better to temporarily enjoy themselves and get rid of their parents.

get away from: avoid sth. That is difficult or unpleasant, or sth. That limits what one can do in some way摆脱（困难或不愉快的事，或某种限制）Playing tennis is good exercise and also allows me to get away from thinking about my

work.打网球是一项很好的运动，它也能让我不去想我的工作。 resort:vi.(fml.)(~to)do sth. Extreme or unpleasant in order to solve a

problem采取，诉说（不好的事物）I think we can solve this problem without resorting to legal action.我认为我们可以不诉诸法律就解决这个问题。

distract: vt. get sb?s attention and prevent them from concentrating on

sth.分散，转移（注意力）I decided to ignore the rumor as I did not want anything to distract me from writing the paper.我决定对谣言不予理睬，因为我不希望有任何事打扰我写论文。

21 Likewise, their parents are feeling more anxious.(Para.7)

Meaning: Their parents become more restless as well.

Meaning beyond words: As their grown children would not listen to their advice, parents are getting more worried about what direction their children may move to.

22 They may make allowances for a transition phase from student life to adult life, but they get

upset when they see the transition of their grown children's lives moving away from their expectations and stretching five years to seven years, and beyond.(Para.7)

Meaning: Parents may accept their grown children to delay the transition period from student life to adult life, but they find their children moving away from what they expected and when they extend the period to too many years. allowance:n.

1)(make ~s for) accept behavior that you would not normally accept because you know why sb. Has behaved that way体量；原谅

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