Unit 5 TextWhy Marriages Failby Anne RoipheBackground Information1. About the AuthorAnne Roiphe (born December 25, 1935) is an American writer and journalist. She is best-known as a first-generation feminist, and author of the novel Up The Sandbox (1970)《沙坑之上》, which was filmed as a starring vehicle for Barbra Streisand in 1972. In 1996, Salon called the book "a feminist classic." Anne Roiphe has published several works including this article written in Family Weekly magazine.2. Bertrand Russell’s idea about happiness in marriageBertrand Russell stated in his book "Marriage" that it is therefore possible for a civilized man and a woman to be happy in marriage, although if this is to be the case a number of conditions must be fulfilled. There must be a feeling of complete equality on both sides; there must be no interference with mutual freedom; there must be the most complete physical and mental intimacy; and there must be a certain similarity in regard to standards of values. (It is fatal, for example, if one values only money while the other values only good work.) Given all these conditions, I believe marriage to be the best and most important relation that can exist between two human beings. If it has not often been realized hitherto, that is chiefly because husband and wife have not trusted each other. If marriage is to achieve its possibilities, husbands and wives must learn to understand that whatever the law may say, in their private lives they must be free.3. What experiences or assumption do you have about failed marriage?I believe that some people get married for love, some for lust, some for status, some for money, some for security, some for convenience, some to have children, some looking for parental guidance, some for business reasons etc. And if that is true, why is it that everyone who gets married expects adherence to the same standards as far as fidelity is concerned? The expectation seems to be that everyone gets married for passionate, romantic love and fidelity is the highest value of marriage.Language Points1. Para. [1] “Sacred vows”:are the promises—religious and secular—that are made during the marriage ceremony. Among these are ―to love and honor till death do us part,‖ so presumably the couple will live happily ever after, as in a fairy tale. These are time-honored expressions, almost clichés; they may become obsolete if the divorce rate rises even more and proves that these phrases are invalid.2. Para. [1] “single-parent homes”:are homes in which the child or children live with only one parent—mother or father—because of divorce or death.3. Para. [2] “Outside pressures”: are those problems that do not derive from the relationship between husband and wife directly, but may affect them greatly.4. Para. [3] “ We all select… of our first home”: We choose based on the emotional patterns of the home in which we lived as infants and young children—our parents’ home (―first home‖). This method may cause problems because in addition to bringing the positive aspects of early childhood to a marriage, we also bring unmet needs, angers, frustrations, and so on. Marriage may then become a battlefield where we try to resolve these negative aspects of our lives.5. Para. [5] “----and work runs counter to the basic myth of marriage”: The basic myth is that getting married will solve all our past problems, that it will automatically change our lives for the better. This attitude can create a bad marriage by putting too much pressure and expectation into it.6. Para. [5] “all the cultural changes” : are changes in sexual expectations, gender roles, and responsibilities. Some couples are unable to cope with these changes.7. Para. [7] “These…at the dunes”: In other words, not just all the wonderful things, but the day-to-day realities of a partner as well. A good marriage must be able to incorporate both the blissful and the mundane.8. Para. [9] “prevents a healthy exchange of thoughts and feelings.”: Communication is essential although often difficult to achieve. Poor communication ―prevents a healthy exchange of thoughts and feelings.‖ This can be overcome by setting up new patterns of communications and intimacy—a process which in itself requires good communication, however.9. Para. [14] The fact that “people today are unwilling to exercise the self-disciplin e…”: To make sacrifice and compromise.10. Para. [16] “Divorce is not an evil act”: Roiphe views divorce as something favorable if there is no other recourse. She presents both positive and negative effects to balance her conclusion realistically. Divorce can produce initial devastation, but it can also be a healthy step toward new health and ending mutual unhappiness.Word Study1.obsolete adj. out-of-date; no longer in use(1) The army plans to phase out the equipment as it becomes obsolete.(2) The obsolete regime is about to collapse.2. perils n. dangers(1)You had better not invest so much money at your peril.vt. take the risk of doing sth.(2)Do you think I am going to peril my reputation for you?3. infertility n. the lack of ability to have children(1)What are the key causes of male infertility?4. turbulent adj. very chaotic or uneasy(1) The sea is too turbulent for sailing.5. stupefy vt. bewilder(1) I was stupefied by what I read.6. obese adj. very fat, overweight(1) Obese patients are advised to change their diet.7. entrapment n. the act of trapping, sometimes by devious methods(1) Entrapment: 片名: 偷天陷阱将计就计; 主演: 辛·康纳利Sean Connery 凯瑟琳·泽塔-琼斯Catherine Zeta-Jones8. yearning n. a strong desire(1) It showed man's yearning for happiness and love.adj. longing for(2) All that they do is cry to God with yearning hearts.9. euphoric adj. overjoyed, ecstatic(1) Laughter is euphoric much more than wine.10. infidelity n. disloyalty, adultery(1) His wife has winked at his infidelity for years.参考译文婚姻何以失败安·洛芙[1] 如今，以离婚告终的婚姻如此之多，我们最神圣的誓约听上去都不再真实了。
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