英语畅谈中国文化50主题 05

05-the role of operas

A: In his book, Chinese characteristics , which was written more than 100 years ago, A.H. Smith said the Chinese people liked opera. To them, opera was the only entertainment like sports for the British and bull-fighting for the Spanians.

B: In the traditional Chinese society, opera was used as vehicles to spread knowledge and ethical¹ teachings. Most operas were based on historical events, fore² clown or classical novels. They promoted traditional values and moral principles such as punishing the evil and eulogizing the good, loyalty³ and kindness and denunciation of ungraceful. Operas were able to fill the gaps of education and teaching , especially in the agricultural society.

A: Opera fans were like today's popular music fans. They enjoy singing in an arena⁴.

B: The dominant⁵ Emperor Cixi in the Qing Dynasty was a super opera fan. She often had opera troops perform for her in her court. This is why Beijing opera overtook all other operas and became national entertainment. It was said the emperors were deeply influenced by the teachings of the operas. Especially those who relating to gratitude⁶.

A: I know she would pardon anyone to whom she thought in dated regardless any mistakes.

B: That's right. Some of her stories even suggests that when she engaged the boxes to fight against the Westerners. She was under the illusion they were invisible. She got the notion from the operas they could not be heard by bullets. Of course, she was wrong. And the boxes were quickly defeated by the Westerners.

A: Well, if emperors had so much influence on the danger operas I think it would be even more so on ordinary people. Seems Beijing opera is no longer as popular as it was. Does it still have influence on people?

B: Now, it is TV. Since every household has a TV. Its influence should not be underestimated. There was a popular Korean TV drama not long ago which captivated the audience by its costumes and food. As a result, some studios in Beijing began taking photo portraits in Korean costumes and some restaurants introduce similar Korean food.

A: Now, I understand why the government discourages TV house from imitating Hongkong and Taiwan accents. It also explains why TV stations are forbidden for every programs about dottery and other ethical topics.

B: That's great, China has been experiencing in any increasingly high divaricates where dottery is decided as the main reason

1 ethical   

adj.伦理的，道德的，合乎道德的

参考例句：

• It is necessary to get the youth to have a high ethical concept.必须使青年具有高度的道德观念。
• It was a debate which aroused fervent ethical arguments.那是一场引发强烈的伦理道德争论的辩论。

2 fore   

adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部

参考例句：

• Your seat is in the fore part of the aircraft.你的座位在飞机的前部。
• I have the gift of fore knowledge.我能够未卜先知。

3 loyalty   

n.忠诚，忠心

参考例句：

• She told him the truth from a sense of loyalty.她告诉他真相是出于忠诚。
• His loyalty to his friends was never in doubt.他对朋友的一片忠心从来没受到怀疑。

4 arena   

n.竞技场，运动场所；竞争场所，舞台

参考例句：

• She entered the political arena at the age of 25. 她25岁进入政界。
• He had not an adequate arena for the exercise of his talents.他没有充分发挥其才能的场所。

5 dominant   

adj.支配的，统治的；占优势的；显性的；n.主因，要素，主要的人(或物)；显性基因

参考例句：

• The British were formerly dominant in India.英国人从前统治印度。
• She was a dominant figure in the French film industry.她在法国电影界是个举足轻重的人物。

6 gratitude   

adj.感激，感谢

参考例句：

• I have expressed the depth of my gratitude to him.我向他表示了深切的谢意。
• She could not help her tears of gratitude rolling down her face.她感激的泪珠禁不住沿着面颊流了下来。