Unit Three

Walls and BarriersWalls and Barriers

Had

rian’s W

all

I. Organization of the Text

1. Introduction of the topic by quoting 1. Introduction of the topic by quoting the negative attitude of the author’s the negative attitude of the author’s father toward modern architecture (a father toward modern architecture (a bank building): Architecture is an bank building): Architecture is an expression of people’s mentality. expression of people’s mentality. (Paragraphs 1 - 2)(Paragraphs 1 - 2)

2. Detailed discussion of the topic 2. Detailed discussion of the topic (Paragraphs 3 – 10)(Paragraphs 3 – 10)

A. Contrast between people’s different A. Contrast between people’s different views of money and reflection of this in views of money and reflection of this in the architectural designs of banks (3 – 5)the architectural designs of banks (3 – 5)

① ① Contrast of money, function of the Contrast of money, function of the bank and form of architecture (3 – 4)bank and form of architecture (3 – 4)

② ② Conclusion: Architecture is a medium Conclusion: Architecture is a medium for the expression of human beliefs and for the expression of human beliefs and attitudes (5) attitudes (5)

B. Contrast of classical and new criticism B. Contrast of classical and new criticism of architecture (6)of architecture (6)

C. Contrast between primitive society C. Contrast between primitive society and modern society in architectural and modern society in architectural designs (7 – 10)designs (7 – 10)

① ① Attitude toward threat and hostility Attitude toward threat and hostility from the world of menfrom the world of men

② ② Attitude toward privacyAttitude toward privacy ③ ③ Effect on architecture: Heavy walls Effect on architecture: Heavy walls

are obsolete, more delicate materials are are obsolete, more delicate materials are used instead.used instead.

3. Conclusion: The form of architecture 3. Conclusion: The form of architecture is determined by its function. (Paragraph is determined by its function. (Paragraph 11)11)

II. Key Points of the Text

Paragraph 2Paragraph 2 unnerve: unnerve: make someone lose self-control, make someone lose self-control,

confidence or courage confidence or courage 使某人失去自制使某人失去自制力、信心或勇气力、信心或勇气

E.g.: E.g.: His encounter with the guard dog haHis encounter with the guard dog had completely d completely unnerveunnerved him. d him. 他遇上了警他遇上了警卫犬，把他吓坏了。卫犬，把他吓坏了。

His negative comments on my essay His negative comments on my essay unnunnerveerved me.d me.

unnerving adj.: unnerving adj.: upsetting, frighteningupsetting, frightening E.g.: E.g.: She found the whole interview rather She found the whole interview rather

unnervingunnerving. . 她觉得整个面试都让人气馁。她觉得整个面试都让人气馁。

not so much something as something: not so much something as something: not not one thing but rather something else one thing but rather something else 不是不是…而是……而是…

E.g.: E.g.: She is She is not so muchnot so much poor poor as as careful wicareful with money. th money. 她倒不是穷而是太在乎钱了。她倒不是穷而是太在乎钱了。

Why do you think Raskin’s father and people oWhy do you think Raskin’s father and people of his generation take a negative attitude toward f his generation take a negative attitude toward a bank with glass walls?a bank with glass walls?

To them, money is a tangible commodity. To deTo them, money is a tangible commodity. To deposit money in a bank is to keep it in the safe thposit money in a bank is to keep it in the safe the banker provides. Therefore, a bank must be se banker provides. Therefore, a bank must be solidly constructed to perform this function. A bolidly constructed to perform this function. A bank with glass walls falls short of the expectatioank with glass walls falls short of the expectations of these people.ns of these people.

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a tangible commodity: a tangible commodity: a material thing, a a material thing, a substantial objectsubstantial object

bullion:bullion: gold or silver in bulk or bars, bef gold or silver in bulk or bars, before it is made into coins, etc. ore it is made into coins, etc. 金或银锭金或银锭（条）（条）

heft: heft: lift something in order to judge or elift something in order to judge or estimate its weight stimate its weight 举起…以掂重量举起…以掂重量

E.g.: E.g.: pick a stone up and pick a stone up and heftheft it it 捡起一块捡起一块石头掂一掂有多重石头掂一掂有多重

hefty adj.: hefty adj.: of considerate weight of considerate weight 沉重的沉重的 E.g.: E.g.: The baby is a The baby is a heftyhefty armful. armful. 这娃娃这娃娃

抱在手里挺沉的。抱在手里挺沉的。 affirm the fact: affirm the fact: state / assert the fact strostate / assert the fact stro

ngly and publiclyngly and publicly

affirm: affirm: declare (usually in answer to a declare (usually in answer to a question or doubt)question or doubt)

E.g.: E.g.: The Dean’s Office The Dean’s Office affirmaffirmed that ed that there would be a special teachers’ training there would be a special teachers’ training course in summer.course in summer.

impregnable: impregnable: unable to be broken into; (figuratunable to be broken into; (figurative) unable to be defeated ive) unable to be defeated 攻不破的；固若金汤攻不破的；固若金汤的；无懈可击的；驳不倒的的；无懈可击的；驳不倒的 ; ; 坚定坚定

定的定的 E.g.: E.g.: They felt safe behind the They felt safe behind the impregnableimpregnable walls. walls. It was his It was his impregnableimpregnable belief that “Honesty is t belief that “Honesty is t

he best policy.”he best policy.”

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excepting: excepting: exceptexcept always excepting:always excepting: except for except for not excepting (not excepting (also also without excepting):without excepting): in in

cludingcluding dash: dash: a combination of bravery and stylea combination of bravery and style ；；

enthusiasm enthusiasm 闯劲；勇猛闯劲；勇猛 E.g.: E.g.: dashdash in attack in attack 进攻中的勇猛进攻中的勇猛

The general had both skill and The general had both skill and dashdash. . 这这位将军智勇双全。位将军智勇双全。

All his activities showed the same All his activities showed the same dashdash a and spirit. nd spirit. 他的一切活动都表现出同样的他的一切活动都表现出同样的干劲和气魄。干劲和气魄。

flair: flair: natural ability to do some special thnatural ability to do some special thinging 天赋，资质；特别的才能（本领、天赋，资质；特别的才能（本领、诀窍）诀窍）

E.g.: E.g.: a a flairflair for music for music 学习音乐的天分学习音乐的天分 be impressed by sb.’s political be impressed by sb.’s political flairflair 对某对某

人的政治才干有深刻印象人的政治才干有深刻印象 in view of: in view of: considering; taking into consiconsidering; taking into consi

derationderation heartily: heartily: in a cheerful way; here, complein a cheerful way; here, comple

tely and absolutelytely and absolutely

E.g.: E.g.: Seeing his daughter perform so well Seeing his daughter perform so well on the stage, he laughed on the stage, he laughed heartilyheartily. .

I’m I’m heartilyheartily tired of this kind of TV tired of this kind of TV show.show.

challenge: challenge: defy, show no fear or no defy, show no fear or no respect forrespect for

vault: vault: a roof or ceiling made by a number of ara roof or ceiling made by a number of arches; a room with thick walls and a heavy door ches; a room with thick walls and a heavy door to protect it against fire and thieves, in which mto protect it against fire and thieves, in which money, jewels, important papers, etc., are kept at oney, jewels, important papers, etc., are kept at a bank a bank 拱顶拱顶 ; ; 穹隆穹隆 ; ; 金库；保险库金库；保险库

E.g.: E.g.: the the vaultvault of heaven of heaven 天穹天穹 set out: set out: arrange the appearance of arrange the appearance of 规划规划 , , 设计设计 ;;

布置布置 E.g.: E.g.: The garden was The garden was set outset out in formal style. in formal style.

What changes, according to the author, hWhat changes, according to the author, have occurred in people’s notion of money, ave occurred in people’s notion of money, in the function of the bank, and, accordinin the function of the bank, and, accordingly, in its architectural features? What pgly, in its architectural features? What point does Raskin want to illustrate by deaoint does Raskin want to illustrate by dealing with these changes?ling with these changes?

Money: used to be a tangible commodity; being Money: used to be a tangible commodity; being less tangible now, less cash being used, being less tangible now, less cash being used, being replaced largely by credit.replaced largely by credit.

Function of the bank: provision of a safe Function of the bank: provision of a safe before; provision of services now.before; provision of services now.

Architecture: used to have an impregnable Architecture: used to have an impregnable appearance; has become a cubical cage of glass, appearance; has become a cubical cage of glass, the door becoming a window display.the door becoming a window display.

The point illustrated: Architecture is a The point illustrated: Architecture is a medium for the expression of human medium for the expression of human beliefs and attitudes.beliefs and attitudes.

Paragraph 5

one and the same: one and the same: the very same the very same 完全一完全一样的，同一个的样的，同一个的

E.g.: E.g.: One and the sameOne and the same idea occurred to ea idea occurred to each of them. ch of them. 他们每一个人都产生同样的他们每一个人都产生同样的想法。想法。

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depart from: depart from: deviate from, turn away frodeviate from, turn away from (an accepted or traditional course of acm (an accepted or traditional course of action) tion) 背离，违反背离，违反

E.g.: E.g.: Entertainment today Entertainment today departdeparts s fromfrom the the oldsters’ concept of entertainment in many oldsters’ concept of entertainment in many ways.ways.

How does Raskin contrast “classical” and “neHow does Raskin contrast “classical” and “new” theories of architecture?w” theories of architecture?

Classical architecture measures excellence by fClassical architecture measures excellence by form with little regard to function. The new theoorm with little regard to function. The new theory of architecture stresses the integration of forry of architecture stresses the integration of form and function, especially the function of archim and function, especially the function of architecture as a manifestation of human mentality.tecture as a manifestation of human mentality.

Paragraph 7

boulder: boulder: a large stone or a mass of rock a large stone or a mass of rock 巨砾巨砾

a delimited space: a delimited space: a space with its limits fa space with its limits fixedixed

delimit: delimit: determine the limits or boundaridetermine the limits or boundaries of es of 定…的界限；作为…的边界定…的界限；作为…的边界

E.g.: E.g.: The two countries signed an agreemeThe two countries signed an agreement that nt that delimitdelimited the boundary line for the led the boundary line for the long-disputed area.ong-disputed area.

illusory: illusory: deceiving and unreal; based on adeceiving and unreal; based on an illusion n illusion 虚假的，不可靠的；不实际的虚假的，不可靠的；不实际的

E.g.: E.g.: bask in bask in illusoryillusory and temporary securi and temporary security ty 陶醉在虚假而短暂的安全感之中 陶醉在虚假而短暂的安全感之中

illusoryillusory hopes hopes 不切实际的希望不切实际的希望 c.f. illusionary: c.f. illusionary: of illusion of illusion 错觉（或幻觉、错觉（或幻觉、

幻想等）的；造成错觉（或幻觉）的；幻想等）的；造成错觉（或幻觉）的；错觉（或幻觉）般的错觉（或幻觉）般的

E.g.: E.g.: illusionaryillusionary stage effects stage effects 造成错觉的造成错觉的舞台效果舞台效果

preclude: preclude: prevent from happening; make prevent from happening; make impossible impossible 排除；防止，杜绝；阻止，排除；防止，杜绝；阻止，妨碍妨碍

E.g.: E.g.: What he said seemed to What he said seemed to precludepreclude all p all possibilities of drawing up an ideal plan.ossibilities of drawing up an ideal plan.

Barbed wire entanglements Barbed wire entanglements precludeprecluded thd the possibility of escape. e possibility of escape. 有刺铁丝网杜绝了有刺铁丝网杜绝了逃跑的可能。 逃跑的可能。

The adoption of one choice often The adoption of one choice often precluprecludedes the use of another. s the use of another. 选取了一种常常就选取了一种常常就不得使用另一种了。不得使用另一种了。

The heavy snow The heavy snow precludeprecluded me from atted me from attending the meeting. nding the meeting. 大雪使我不能出席会大雪使我不能出席会议。议。

dissolution: dissolution: the ending or breaking up of the ending or breaking up of an association, group, partnership, etc. an association, group, partnership, etc. 解除，解散；瓦解解除，解散；瓦解

E.g.: E.g.: the the dissolutiondissolution of a partnership of a partnership 合作合作伙伴关系的解除伙伴关系的解除

the the dissolutiondissolution of a political party of a political party 政党政党的解散的解散

the the dissolutiondissolution of a treaty of a treaty 条约的终止条约的终止 the the dissolutiondissolution of an empire of an empire 帝国的瓦解帝国的瓦解 What point is the example in the paragrapWhat point is the example in the paragrap

h supposed to illustrate?h supposed to illustrate? The last sentence in Para. 6 i.e., “walls are The last sentence in Para. 6 i.e., “walls are

not simply walls but physical symbols of tnot simply walls but physical symbols of the barriers in men’s minds.”he barriers in men’s minds.”

Paragraph 8

What do the words “And then” at the What do the words “And then” at the beginning of the paragraph indicate?beginning of the paragraph indicate?

The paragraph is a continuation of the The paragraph is a continuation of the discussion of walls as barriers carried out discussion of walls as barriers carried out in the preceding paragraph, but from in the preceding paragraph, but from another aspect.another aspect.

pry: pry: look secretly at or find out about solook secretly at or find out about someone else’s private possessions or affairmeone else’s private possessions or affairs s 窥探；窥视，偷看窥探；窥视，偷看

vile:vile: hateful; shameful; evil; low and wor hateful; shameful; evil; low and worthless thless 卑鄙的，可耻的；邪恶的；肮脏卑鄙的，可耻的；邪恶的；肮脏的，污秽的的，污秽的

E.g.: E.g.: vilevile practices practices 无耻行径无耻行径 vilevile habits habits 恶习恶习

a a vilevile slum slum 肮脏的贫民窟肮脏的贫民窟 vilevile language language 脏话脏话 litter: litter: 轿子轿子 patio: patio: an open space between a house and an open space between a house and

garden, with a stone floor, used for sittingarden, with a stone floor, used for sitting on in fine weather g on in fine weather 庭院，天井，院子庭院，天井，院子

by engaging in the intimate activities: by engaging in the intimate activities: by by taking part in the private activitiestaking part in the private activities

engage in: engage in: take part in; be involved intake part in; be involved in E.g.: E.g.: My brother My brother engageengages s inin marketing marketing

research.research. as against: as against: in comparison within comparison with

intricacy: intricacy: the quality or state of being intthe quality or state of being intricate; (often plural) something intricate ricate; (often plural) something intricate 错综复杂，盘根错节；复杂精细；错综错综复杂，盘根错节；复杂精细；错综复杂的事物；纷繁难懂之处 复杂的事物；纷繁难懂之处

E.g.: E.g.: These improvements increase the These improvements increase the intrintricacyicacy of the mechanisms. of the mechanisms. 这些改进使机这些改进使机械装置更为机巧灵活。械装置更为机巧灵活。

be aware of the be aware of the intricaciesintricacies of those proc of those processes esses 注意到那些工序错综复杂的细节 注意到那些工序错综复杂的细节

teach sb. the teach sb. the intricaciesintricacies of cricket of cricket 教某教某人纷繁而难掌握的板球技术要领人纷繁而难掌握的板球技术要领

are … illustrative of this attitude: are … illustrative of this attitude: explain explain this attitudethis attitude

be illustrative of: be illustrative of: explainexplain

E.g.: E.g.: Her behavior Her behavior is illustrative ofis illustrative of her kin her kindheartedness and generosity. dheartedness and generosity.

What evidence does Raskin give to prove What evidence does Raskin give to prove that people in some Mediterranean cultuthat people in some Mediterranean cultures attached great importance to their prires attached great importance to their private life and inner world? vate life and inner world?

Behavior --- went about in guarded litters Behavior --- went about in guarded litters or veiled.or veiled.

Architectural features --- surrounding Architectural features --- surrounding walls, rooms facing a patio, etc.walls, rooms facing a patio, etc.

Decorative arts --- intricate and rich.Decorative arts --- intricate and rich. Philosophy --- contemplative.Philosophy --- contemplative.

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convention: convention: generally accepted practice, generally accepted practice, especially with regard to social behavior especially with regard to social behavior 惯例，行为准则惯例，行为准则

E.g.: E.g.: Using the right hand to shake hands iUsing the right hand to shake hands is a s a conventionconvention. . 握手时用右手是一种惯例。握手时用右手是一种惯例。

a slave to social a slave to social conventionconventions s 社会上各社会上各种清规戒律的奴隶种清规戒律的奴隶

cherish: cherish: keep (feelings or ides) firmly in keep (feelings or ides) firmly in mind mind 珍爱，珍视；爱；爱护珍爱，珍视；爱；爱护

E.g.: E.g.: I do I do cherishcherish our last meeting in Harb our last meeting in Harbin. It meant so much to me.in. It meant so much to me.

go for: go for: be true of be true of 适用于适用于

E.g.: E.g.: What I have said about Smith What I have said about Smith goes forgoes for yo you, too. u, too. 我说的关于史密斯的话也适用于你。我说的关于史密斯的话也适用于你。

flick: flick: (cause to) move with a light quick blow (cause to) move with a light quick blow 啪地开动啪地开动

E.g.: E.g.: flickflick the switch the switch 啪地一声音打开开关啪地一声音打开开关 flick flick off a radio off a radio 啪地一声把收音机关掉啪地一声把收音机关掉

small wonder: small wonder: no wonder; it is not no wonder; it is not surprisingsurprising

E.g.: E.g.: Wang has been reading various kinds Wang has been reading various kinds of English books. of English books. Small wonderSmall wonder he has he has such a large English vocabulary and he such a large English vocabulary and he writes so well in English.writes so well in English.

In which two aspects of life does Raskin cIn which two aspects of life does Raskin contrast the modern men and their predecontrast the modern men and their predecessors? In what way do the differences afessors? In what way do the differences affect architecture?fect architecture?

One: attitude toward threat and hostility One: attitude toward threat and hostility from the world of men.from the world of men.

Two: attitude toward privacy.Two: attitude toward privacy.

Effect on architecture: Heavy walls are Effect on architecture: Heavy walls are obsolete, more delicate materials are used obsolete, more delicate materials are used instead.instead.

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qualms: qualms: (usually plural) an uneasy feelin(usually plural) an uneasy feeling of uncertainty, especially as to whether g of uncertainty, especially as to whether something is right; misgivings something is right; misgivings 怀疑怀疑 ; ; 疑疑虑虑

E.g.: E.g.: Corrupt officials have no Corrupt officials have no qualmsqualms abo about graft (ut graft ( 贪污贪污 )and bribery ()and bribery ( 受贿受贿 ).).

He had / felt no serious He had / felt no serious qualmsqualms about co about concealing the information from the police. ncealing the information from the police. 他向警方隐瞒实情而并未感到十分不妥他向警方隐瞒实情而并未感到十分不妥 ..

all the way around: all the way around: completely; entirelycompletely; entirely

toilette / toilette / twa:twa: let; toi let‵ ‵let; toi let‵ ‵ //: : 梳妆，打扮梳妆，打扮 Why are glass walls becoming popular in architWhy are glass walls becoming popular in archit

ecture?ecture? The traditional functions of walls have changed,The traditional functions of walls have changed,

and glass walls can perform the functions walls and glass walls can perform the functions walls are expected to perform in modern architecture.are expected to perform in modern architecture. What’s more, glass walls adequately express th What’s more, glass walls adequately express the beliefs of the modern man.e beliefs of the modern man.

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be consistent with: be consistent with: be in agreement withbe in agreement with E.g.: E.g.: His action His action is is always always consistent withconsistent with

his words.his words. the eventual solution: the eventual solution: the solution which the solution which

will take place at last as a resultwill take place at last as a result

E.g.: E.g.: His persistent training led to his His persistent training led to his eveneventual tual success at the tennis championship.success at the tennis championship.

What general conclusion can you draw wWhat general conclusion can you draw with regard to the relation between the forith regard to the relation between the form and function of architecture from Rasm and function of architecture from Raskin’s article.kin’s article.

The form of architecture is determined The form of architecture is determined by its function.by its function.

Thank you!