A Century of Memories (1920-1929)

A Century of Memories (1920-1929)

                  

At the ¹⁾dawn of the 1920's, America was clearly entering a new era, an era defined by a vast and complicated urban culture that would dominate the rest of the 20th century.

    After World War I, there was an eagerness to embrace the new and it was in America's cities, most dramatically in its biggest, New York, where the modern age was born. The very architecture of the city spoke¹ of America's new ²⁾ascendancy² and her ³⁾aspirations.

Historian David McCullen--

David McCullen: The ⁴⁾skyscraper⁴ was an example of the new form achieving a kind of thrilling scale and nobility. More people worked there than lived in the average small town in America.

A movement to the cities that had started during World War I ⁵⁾accelerated. In 1920, for the first time more Americans lived in urban centers than in country towns and villages.

American studies professor, Anne Douglas--

Anne Douglas: The pace has been set in the cities. The city is ⁶⁾irresistibly⁵ attractive, is  really at a kind of high tide in this decade. It's a force, a ⁷⁾magnet.

The very names of New York streets would become ⁸⁾synonymous with progress and innovation. Broadway would represent the best and latest in American entertainment. Madison Avenue would come to ⁹⁾stand for the bustling⁶ new business of advertising⁷ which was uniting the nation in a set of shared fantasies and desires. And Wall Street came to represent the decade's expanding economic opportunities. Wall Street was where the ¹⁰⁾action was. People came from everywhere to get in on it.

Michael Trinkel--

Michael Trinkel: The reason I came to New York was there was nobody there after they closed the mines in 1926 in Pennsylvania. There was no money coming there. This fella Jerry got me the first job and he said, "Come on down to Wall Street, the streets are ¹¹⁾paved with gold."

It seemed that way too on Park and 5th avenues where the ¹²⁾tycoons lived. The number of millionaires in the 1920's jumped 400% over the previous decade. The 20's feeling of limitless horizons was fueled by their ¹³⁾lavish⁹ lifestyle.

Francis Leimen Lobe¹⁰--

Francis Leimen Lobe: In those days you had lots of help. You had a cook, you had a kitchen maid and you had a ¹⁴⁾laundress. And then you had a parlor¹¹ maid, a ¹⁵⁾chambermaid and mother's maid. How many does that make? Six, but I think there were eight, actually. Terribly nice people.

It was in ¹⁶⁾Harlem clubs that one could see the artists at the ¹⁷⁾forefront of this fresh and uniquely American music. Performers such as Louis Armstrong, Bessie Smith and a ¹⁸⁾dapper young man named Edward Kennedy Ellington, his friends simply called him, Duke.

The actor, Aussie Davis--

Aussie Davis: Duke was the essence of what black music was all about. Everybody else was heading in that direction, but Duke was there.

The cultural historian, Stretch Johnson--

Stretch Johnson: The first time that I was seized by the music was the first time I heard Duke Ellington broadcast from the Cotton Club where Broadway, Hollywood and Paris rub elbows. People came from all over the United States to experience what was going on in Harlem in the 20's.

The author, Eudora Wealthy--

Eudora Wealthy: I was young then, you know, and we went up to Harlem that night to dance and everything. We all saved up for months to get the money to go out to a nightclub. Of course the music was wonderful.

Harlem was contributing more than music to America's new urban culture. The world above New York's 125th street was, in the 1920's, a hot bed of political, social and cultural activity. It was later called the Harlem ¹⁹⁾Renaissance¹².

Aussie Davis: The Harlem Renaissance was one of those fancy terms that white folks invent when they want to take a particular look at some aspect of black folks. I don't think black folk running around saying "we're going to have us a renaissance" or something like that, but it was a holiday of the spirit. I'm glad that there was a Harlem Renaissance, and there be Beetles¹³ boys and Alan Lock took it and developed it and made it into a political weapon. Fine, it achieved a great deal for us by making America recognize that we were artists, and if we were artists that could produce works of genius, how then could we be inferior and treated as second-class citizens? All of that I later understood and later appreciated. But when the stuff first came to me, it was something that I could enjoy like a sweet potato pie, like an ice-cream cone¹⁴, or you know, like the girls that I was in love with.

²⁰⁾Propelled by the great technological¹⁵ leaps in the 1920's, social patterns began to shift. Nowhere was this more obvious than in the changes seen in American women. An expanding job market had given more and more women careers and the ²¹⁾disposable income to do with what they wished. Throughout the 1920's, women would assert a ²²⁾newfound freedom and independence. Nothing symbolized¹⁶ that more than the 19th ²³⁾amendment¹⁷ to the constitution. Finally in 1920 after 81 years of ²⁴⁾agitation¹⁸, women had won the right to vote.

Anne Douglas--

Anne Douglas: A woman's lot had changed in almost every way. She thought that she had the right to live for herself rather than for her family for others as women were always supposed to. She went to bars, she went to after-hour's clubs, she went to wild parties, she had much shorter hair, she wore much more make-up. You go from having young women whose dresses reached to their ankles to flesh, flesh everywhere. And a lot of 20's culture is about the fun of smashing ²⁵⁾prohibitions.

 

光阴的故事（1920-1929年）

    20世纪20年代初，美国明显跨入了一个新纪元，光怪陆离的都市文化是这个时代的特征，其影响一直延伸到20世纪随后的年代。

    一战结束后，人们渴望拥抱新生事物，在美国城市--非常戏剧性的是在美国最大城市纽约--现代诞生了。纽约的独特建筑象征着美国的新地位和新希望。

    历史学家大卫·麦卡伦--

大卫·麦卡伦：摩天大楼的例子就是一种新形式，体现了进步与发展。在摩天大楼里工作的人比在美国小乡镇居住的人还要多。

    始于一战期间的都市迁徙在加剧。1920年，美国城市人口开始超过乡郊人口。

    美国研究教授安妮·道格拉斯--

安妮·道格拉斯：城市引领着时代的节奏。城市五光十色，那在20年代是潮流锋头。城市是一股力量，是一块磁石。

纽约的街名与进步创新划上等号。百老汇象征着美国娱乐最好最时新的水准。麦迪逊大道代表的是欣欣向荣的新兴广告业，该行业紧聚起美国人的许多共同梦想和热望。华尔街则代表在20年代发展起来的经济机遇。华尔街是金融活动重心，人们从四处涌来，云集这里。

迈克尔·青科--

迈克尔·青科：我来纽约，因为宾夕法尼亚的矿井在1926年关闭后，已经没人留在那里。那里没钱。朋友杰里给我找了第一份工作，他说：“去华尔街吧，那里的路是黄金铺的。”

    帕克大街和第五大街同样如此，大亨们都居住在这两条街上。20世纪20年代，百万富翁的数目比前几个十年翻了四番。他们奢侈的生活方式进一步刺激了20年代中繁荣之势不可挡的感觉。

    法兰西斯·蕾曼·洛比--

法兰西斯·蕾曼·洛比：在那个年代，家里的仆人多极了。有厨子，有厨房女佣，有洗衣女工。还有客厅女仆、卧室女仆，妈妈有贴身女仆。有多少个来着？六个了，不过其实是有八个。都是些很好的人。

在当时哈林区的俱乐部里，人们能看到美国新兴的、独特的爵士乐前锋艺术家。在表演者当中有路易斯·阿姆斯特朗、贝茜·史密斯，还有一个名叫爱德华·肯尼迪·艾灵顿的衣冠楚楚的年轻人，他的朋友都叫他“公爵”。

    演员奥西·戴维斯--

奥西·戴维斯：公爵是黑人音乐的一切精华所在。其他人都在朝那个方向赶，而公爵就是方向标。

    文化历史学家史觉奇·约翰逊--

史觉奇·约翰逊：我爱上这音乐，是第一次听到棉花俱乐部广播出艾灵顿公爵演奏的时候，百老汇、好莱坞、巴黎都在棉花俱乐部抢风头。在20年代，美国人从各地赶来体验哈林区的音乐。

    作家尤多拉·韦尔西--

尤多拉·韦尔西：当时我还年轻，我们找了一晚到哈林跳舞玩乐。我们为了上夜总会全都攒了好几个月的钱。当然了，音乐太动听了。

    哈林对美国新都市文化所起的贡献远不止音乐。纽约第125大街在20年代是政治、社会和文化活动的温床。后来人们把那称为“哈林文艺复兴运动”。

奥西·戴维斯：“哈林文艺复兴运动”是白人为了了解黑人文化而创出的一种精妙说法。我想黑人不会四处奔走说“我们要搞一个自己的文艺复兴运动”吧，可那是一个很令人激动的节日。我很高兴有一个哈林文艺复兴运动，后来甲壳虫乐队和阿伦·洛克把它发扬光大并发展成政治工具。好，它对我们的贡献太大了，它让美国认识到我们是艺术家，而且如果我们是能创造出天才作品的艺术家，我们怎么会是弱等公民、二等公民呢？这一切都是我后来才明白和体会过来的。不过我第一次接触到那场运动时，就像在享受番薯饼，享受圆筒冰淇淋，像恋爱中的感觉。

20世纪20年代的科技大进步推动了社会模式的转变。这变化在美国妇女身上的体现最明显不过。就业市场为女性提供了越来越多的工作，她们可随心支配的收入也越来越多。女性获得新的自由与独立，这样的声言由始自终贯穿着20世纪20年代。其中最富有象征性意义的是宪法的第19次修改。经过了81年的努力，妇女终于在1920年赢得选举权。

安妮·道格拉斯--

安妮·道格拉斯：妇女的命运几乎是全方面地被改变了。她开始认识到自己有权利为自己而活，而不是像原来一样普遍认为妇女是为了家庭和别人而活。她可以出入酒吧间，出入休闲俱乐部，参加狂野派对，她可以留短发，化浓妆。年轻女孩的裙长由至脚踝变为露腿，服装很暴露。20年代的许多文化都是以打破陈规为乐的。

 

注释：

1) dawn [dC:n] n. 黎明，破晓

2) ascendancy [E5sendEnsi] n. 优势，支配地位

3) aspiration³ [7AspE5reiFEn] n. 渴望，热望

4) skyscraper [5skaIskreIpE(r)] n. 摩天楼

5) accelerate [Ak5selEreit] v. 加速，促进

6) irresistibly [7iri5zistEbli] ad. 无可抵挡地

7) magnet [5mA^nit] n. 磁石

8) synonymous [si5nCnimEs] a. 同义的

9) stand for 代表

10) action [5AkFEn] n. （某一地区、领域中）最能产生效果的活动

11) pave [peiv] v. 铺

12) tycoon⁸ [tai5ku:n] n. 企业界大亨

13) lavish [5lAviF] a. 奢侈的

14) laundress [5lC:ndris] n. 洗衣女工

15) chambermaid [5tFeImbEmeId] n. 寝室的女工

16) Harlem [5hB:lEm] n. （纽约的）黑人住宅区

17) forefront [5fC:frQnt] n. 最前线

18) dapper [5dApE] a. 衣冠楚楚的

19) renaissance [rE5neisEns] n. 复兴

20) propel [prE5pel] v. 推动

21) disposable [dis5pEuzEbl] a. 可支配的

22) newfound [5njU:faJnd] a. 新发现的，新得到的

23) amendment [E5mendmEnt] n. 改正

24) agitation [AdVi5teiFEn] n. 煽动，鼓吹，不安

25) prohibition¹⁹ [prEuhi5biFEn] n. 禁止

1 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

2 ascendancy   

n.统治权，支配力量

参考例句：

• We have had ascendancy over the enemy in the battle.在战斗中我们已占有优势。
• The extremists are gaining ascendancy.极端分子正逐渐占据上风。

3 aspiration   

n.志向，志趣抱负；渴望；(语)送气音；吸出

参考例句：

• Man's aspiration should be as lofty as the stars.人的志气应当象天上的星星那么高。
• Young Addison had a strong aspiration to be an inventor.年幼的爱迪生渴望成为一名发明家。

4 skyscraper   

n.摩天大楼

参考例句：

• The skyscraper towers into the clouds.那幢摩天大楼高耸入云。
• The skyscraper was wrapped in fog.摩天楼为雾所笼罩。

5 irresistibly   

adv.无法抵抗地，不能自持地；极为诱惑人地

参考例句：

• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside. 她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He was irresistibly attracted by her charm. 他不能自已地被她的魅力所吸引。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 bustling   

adj.喧闹的

参考例句：

• The market was bustling with life. 市场上生机勃勃。
• This district is getting more and more prosperous and bustling. 这一带越来越繁华了。

7 advertising   

n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的

参考例句：

• Can you give me any advice on getting into advertising? 你能指点我如何涉足广告业吗?
• The advertising campaign is aimed primarily at young people. 这个广告宣传运动主要是针对年轻人的。

8 tycoon   

n.有钱有势的企业家，大亨

参考例句：

• The tycoon is on the verge of bankruptcy.那名大亨濒临破产的边缘。
• The tycoon has many servants to minister to his needs.那位大亨有很多人服侍他。

9 lavish   

adj.无节制的；浪费的；vt.慷慨地给予，挥霍

参考例句：

• He despised people who were lavish with their praises.他看不起那些阿谀奉承的人。
• The sets and costumes are lavish.布景和服装极尽奢华。

10 lobe   

n.耳垂，（肺，肝等的）叶

参考例句：

• Tiny electrical sensors are placed on your scalp and on each ear lobe.小电器传感器放置在您的头皮和对每个耳垂。
• The frontal lobe of the brain is responsible for controlling movement.大脑前叶的功能是控制行动。

11 parlor   

n.店铺，营业室；会客室，客厅

参考例句：

• She was lying on a small settee in the parlor.她躺在客厅的一张小长椅上。
• Is there a pizza parlor in the neighborhood?附近有没有比萨店？

12 renaissance   

n.复活，复兴，文艺复兴

参考例句：

• The Renaissance was an epoch of unparalleled cultural achievement.文艺复兴是一个文化上取得空前成就的时代。
• The theme of the conference is renaissance Europe.大会的主题是文艺复兴时期的欧洲。

13 beetles   

n.甲虫( beetle的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Beetles bury pellets of dung and lay their eggs within them. 甲壳虫把粪粒埋起来，然后在里面产卵。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• This kind of beetles have hard shell. 这类甲虫有坚硬的外壳。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

14 cone   

n.圆锥体，圆锥形东西，球果

参考例句：

• Saw-dust piled up in a great cone.锯屑堆积如山。
• The police have sectioned off part of the road with traffic cone.警察用锥形路标把部分路面分隔开来。

15 technological   

adj.技术的；工艺的

参考例句：

• A successful company must keep up with the pace of technological change.一家成功的公司必须得跟上技术变革的步伐。
• Today,the pace of life is increasing with technological advancements.当今， 随着科技进步，生活节奏不断增快。

16 symbolized   

v.象征，作为…的象征( symbolize的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• For Tigress, Joy symbolized the best a woman could expect from life. 在她看，小福子就足代表女人所应有的享受。 来自汉英文学 - 骆驼祥子
• A car symbolized distinction and achievement, and he was proud. 汽车象征着荣誉和成功，所以他很自豪。 来自辞典例句

17 amendment   

n.改正，修正，改善，修正案

参考例句：

• The amendment was rejected by 207 voters to 143.这项修正案以207票对143票被否决。
• The Opposition has tabled an amendment to the bill.反对党已经就该议案提交了一项修正条款。

18 agitation   

n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动

参考例句：

• Small shopkeepers carried on a long agitation against the big department stores.小店主们长期以来一直在煽动人们反对大型百货商店。
• These materials require constant agitation to keep them in suspension.这些药剂要经常搅动以保持悬浮状态。

19 prohibition   

n.禁止；禁令，禁律

参考例句：

• The prohibition against drunken driving will save many lives.禁止酒后开车将会减少许多死亡事故。
• They voted in favour of the prohibition of smoking in public areas.他们投票赞成禁止在公共场所吸烟。