Introduction to the text:
1. This text is a piece of narrative writing, a story.
2. The narrator of the story, Dobie Gillis, a freshman in a law school, is the hero or protagonist(主角，正派角色〕. He struggles against two antagonists〔反派角色〕: Petey Burch, his roommate whose girlfriend he plans to steal; and Polly Espy, the girl he intends to marry after suitable re-education.
3. The climax〔高潮〕 of the story is reached in paragraphs147 to150 when Polly refuses to go steady with the narrator because she had already promised to go steady with Petey Burch.
4. The denouement〔结局〕 follows rapidly and ends on a very ironic tone.
About the Title---The title of the story is humorous and well-chosen. It has two meanings:
1. When “fallacy〞 is taken in its ordinary sense, the title means:
There is a deceptive〔虚伪的，欺诈的〕 or delusive〔欺瞒的，迷惑的〕 quality about love.
2. When “fallacy〞 is taken as a specific term in logic, the title means:
Love cannot be deduced〔推理〕 from a set of given premises.
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Perhaps Max Shulman wants the reader, after reading the story, to conclude that “love〞 is an error, a deception and an emotion that does not follow the principles of logic. But the writer, through this story has succeeded perhaps unwittingly(无意地) in revealing what love may sometimes mean in the affluent society〔物质社会〕. Girls do not want brilliant, gifted or educated husbands, but want husbands who are rich and wealthy enough to provide all the things necessary in life— home, clothes, cars, etc..
Pay attention to his change of emotions:
1. favoring her with a smile
2. chuckled with amusement
3. chuckled with somewhat less amusement
4. forcing a smile/ ground my teeth
5. croaked, dashed perspire
Detailed study of the text
enterprising: ad. having or showing enterprise 有事业心的；有胆量的；富于创业精神的
It’s very enterprising of them to try and start up a business like that.
as…as: a correlative construction used to indicate the equality or sameness of two things.
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He is as strong as an ox.
month of Sundays: (colloquial口语体的) long time
unfettered: ad. (fml. or lit.) free from control; not tied by several rules
The new city developed quickly, unfettered by the usual planning regulations.
limp: ad. drooping; lacking firmness 无力的；易弯的
I like lettuce to be crisp, not limp and soggy.
我喜欢莴苣是脆的，不喜欢软而湿乎乎的。
flaccid: ad. soft and weak; flabby
spongy: ad. like a sponge; soft and porous
pedantic: ad. paying too much attention to details and unimportant rules 迂腐的；学究的
pedant: n.a person who pays more attention to formal rules and book learning than they merit
discipline: a branch of knowledge or learning
trauma: a term in psychiatry meaning a painful emotional experience or shock, often
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producing a lasting psychic effect. 心灵创伤；精神创伤
Read, then, the following essay which undertakes to demonstrate that logic, far from being a dry, pedantic discipline, is a living, breathing thing, full of beauty, passion, and trauma.
Metaphor(暗喻〕 and hyperbole〔夸〕. It is a metaphor comparing logic to a living human being. It is a hyperbole because it exaggerates for the sake of effect.
calculating: ad. coldly planning and thinking about future actions and esp. whether they will be good or bad for oneself.
perspicacious: ad. (fml.) having or showing very clever judgment or understanding 聪敏的；睿智的
a perspicacious comment 有见地的评论
astute: ad. clever and able to see quickly something that is to one’s advantage; shrewd 精明的；敏锐的；狡黠的
an astute businesswoman/investment
acute: ad.
(1) (of the senses) able to notice small differences; sharp 感觉灵敏的；敏锐的
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Dogs have an acute sense of smell. /He has very acute hearing.
(2) showing an ability to understand things clearly and deeply; penetrating. 深刻的
an acute analysis of the political situation
(3) severe; very great 严重的
acute pain/an acute shortage of water
dynamo: an earlier form of generator, a machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy
chemist’s scales: Such scales are more precise and accurate for they have to weigh small quantities of powder or other medicine.
scalpel: a surgeon’s sharp knife used in operations手术刀；解剖刀
My brain was as powerful as a dynamo, as precise as a chemist’s scales, as penetrating as a scalpel. (Para.4)
Simile〔明喻〕, comparing his brain to three different things.
Hyperbole, exaggerating for effect.
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dumb: (American colloquialism or slang) stupid; moronic; unintelligent
dumb as an ox: as stupid as an ox; very stupid
nothing upstairs: (American slang) empty-headed; a nitwit (笨蛋；傻瓜). The corresponding British slang is “unfurnished in the upper storey.〞
unstable: ad. easily moved, upset or changed
emotional: ad. having feelings which are strong or easily moved
impressionable: ad. easy to be influenced, often with the result that one’s feelings and ideas change easily and esp. that one is ready to admire other people.
The child is at an impressionable age. 这孩子正处于易受影响的年龄。
faddist: a person who follows fads (a passing fashion or craze)
Emotional type. Unstable. Impressionable. Worst of all, a faddist.
All four sentences are elliptical〔省略的〕. The subject and verb “he is〞 is left out.
fads: a passing fashion or craze
submit: v. to offer as an opinion; suggest; propose
very negation: complete (absolute) lack
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reason: the ability to think, draw conclusions
to be swept up in: to be carried away by; to follow enthusiastically
craze: something that is currently the fashion; fad
to surrender yourself to: to yield; to indulge in
idiocy: n. [U] great foolishness or stupidity
acme: n. the highest point of development, success, etc. 极度；开展、成就的顶点；登峰造极
the acme of perfection
acme of mindlessness: the height of stupidity; the greatest lack of intelligence
Laxative: n./ad/ (a medicine or sth.) eaten for causing the bowels to empty easily 泻药；通便剂
It’s dangerous for people suffering from appendicitis to take any kind of laxative.
pausing in my flight: n. fleeing or running away from. Here it means “stopped rushing out〞 (to get a doctor).
wail: v. (often derog.) to cry out with a long sound (as if) in grief or pain 嚎啕大哭；大声哭叫
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pound: v. to hit hard; to deliver heavy, repeated blows 猛击；猛打；猛烈跳动
He pounded the table angrily. /My heart pounded with excitement.
incredulously: adv. showing disbelief, unbelievingly
an incredulous look/smile
incredible: ad. sth. too strange to be believed; unbelievable or very hard to believe 不敢相信的；难以置信的
That’s the most incredible coincidence I’ve ever heard of!
Look at it rationally: “it〞 stands for the whole question of owning and wearing a raccoon coat.
unsanitary: ad. not clean or healthy
They shed: The fur of the raccoon coats cast off or lose hair (all the time).
unsightly: ad. not pleasant to look at; ugly
It’s the thing to do: It’s the right, proper or fashionable thing to do.
in the swim: conforming to the current fashions, or active in the main current of affairs
slip: to pass, move, etc. smoothly, quickly or easily
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slipped into high gear: began to work at high speed or efficiency. A machine is in high gear when the arrangement of gears provide the greatest speed but little power.
gear: any of several arrangements, esp. of toothed wheels in a machine, which allow power to be passed from one part to another so as to control the power, speed or direction of movement. (齿轮传动装置；排挡)
narrowly: adv. (fml.) in a thorough and usu. doubting way 彻底的； 追根究底的
The teacher questioned the boy narrowly about why he was late.
affirm: v. to declare (usu. again, or in answer to a question or doubt) 肯定；确认
She affirmed that she was telling the truth.
The minister affirmed the government’s intention to reduce taxes.
stroke: v. pass the hand over gently, esp. for pleasure 抚摸
The cats like being stroked.
He stroked his beard reflectively. 他捋着胡子在沉思。
I stroked my chin thoughtfully.我假设有所思的抚摸着下巴。
covet: v. (esp. bibl or humor) to desire eagerly (esp. sth. belonging to another person) 觊觎；垂涎
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to let my heart rule my head: Metonymy. “Heart〞 stands for “feelings and emotions〞 and “head〞 for “reason and good sense〞.
cerebral: ad. (fml. humor) conceived by the intellect rather than the emotions. 理智的
gracious: ad. polite, kind and pleasant, esp. in a generous way 亲切的；和蔼的；仁慈的；有礼貌的
Busy as she was, she was gracious enough to show us around her house
specification: n. a detailed plan or set of descriptions or directions 规格； 说明
The designer drew up his specifications for the new car.
With one omission…perfectly: Except for one thing (intelligence) Polly had all the other requirements (beauty and grace).
pin-up: (American colloquialism) designating a girl whose sexual attractiveness makes her a subject for the kind of pictures often pinned up on walls.
proportions: lines, shape of the body
supply the lack: supply what is wanting.
makings: the material or qualities needed for the making or development of something 素质；必要因素
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He has the makings of a good doctor./ The story has all the makings of a great movie.
carriage: n. (sing) the manner of carrying oneself, bearing the manner of holding one’s head, limbs, and body when standing or walking; physical posture 仪态；体态
Dancing can improve the carriage. 舞蹈能增进体态美。
erectness of carriage: a noun plus an “of〞 phrase helps to emphasize the noun “erectness〞. So also “ease of bearing〞 and “best of breeding〞.
bearing: n. the way a person holds his body or behaves; deportment 举止；姿势；风度
She had an erectness of carriage, an ease of bearing, a poise that clearly indicated the best of breeding.
“bearing〞 and “carriage〞 are synonymous(同义词〕. “Bearing〞 in comparison denotes manner of carrying or conducting oneself and refers to characteristic physical and mental posture. “Carriage〞 specifically stresses the physical aspects of a person.
specialty of the house: the special dish which the restaurant or cafeteria sells
pot roast: meat, usually a large cut of beef cooked in one piece by braising
gravy: n. [U] the juice which comes out of meat as it cooks, thickened with flour, etc., to serve with meat and vegetables (加了面粉用于调味的)肉汁
dipper: a long-handled cup esp. for dipping 长柄勺
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sauerkraut: 德国泡菜
a dipper of sauerkraut: a small cupful of pickled chopped cabbage
veer: v. to turn or change direction
The car went out of control and veered across the road.
汽车失去了控制，突然转向冲向大路对面。
smarten up: to improve in appearance; cause to become neat or stylish
We smarten the office up with a fresh coat of paint.
我们新刷一层油漆使办公室焕然一新。
Smarten yourself up before you go in to the interview.
你去面试之前，把自己打扮得漂亮点。
dumb: ad. (American colloquialism or slang) stupid, moronic; unintelligent
keen: ad. (American slang) good, fine, excellent, etc.: a general term of approval
kid: (American colloquialism) a young person
go steady: (American colloquialism) to date someone of the opposite sex regularly and
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exclusively; be sweethearts
out of the picture: not considered as involved in a situation
field: an area where games or athletic events are held
open: free to take part or compete in (games being held in the field)
wink: v. to close and open (one eye) rapidly, usually as signal between people, esp. of amusement
He winked at her and she knew he was only pretending to be angry.
She gave me a wink.
A transferred epithet. He said mysteriously with a wink (the wink itself was not mysterious)
gamy=gamey: ad. (of meat) having the strong taste of game which has been hung up for some time before cooking (肉)有浓烈的野味味道的
gamy object: the raccoon fur coat which had a strong tainted(腐坏的) smell
Stutz Bearcat: name of an automobile
Holy Toledo: an interjectional compound (like holy cow! holy smoke!) to express astonishment, emphasis, etc.
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reverent: ad. showing a feeling of reverence 恭敬的
They all maintained a reverent silence.
他们都保持肃静。
opposite: irreverent
pelt: n. the skin of a dead animal with or without the fur or hair on it 死动物的生皮，带毛的兽皮
mince: v. to lessen the force of , weaken, as by euphemism. If you do not mince your words, you tell sb. sth. unpleasant without making any effort to be polite or to avoid upsetting them.
I never mince words, you know that.
fling: v. to throw violently or with force
She flung her shoe at the cat.
Every morning he flings the windows open and breathes deeply.
stoutly: adv. bravely, determinedly, resolutely
He defended himself stoutly against their accusations〔指控〕
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tear: v. to divide with doubt, uncertainty, etc.; agitate; torment
a heart torn by grief
waif: n. (esp. lit) an uncared-for or homeless child or animal
a pitiful little waif 可怜的流浪儿
set his jaw: He put his jaw in a fixed or rigid〔僵硬的，严格的〕 position. This action shows fixed, unyielding determination
swivel: v. move round
The chair swiveled to the right when he tried it.
wax: v. esp. of the moon to grow gradually larger
wane: v. to grow gradually smaller or less after being full or complete 逐步变小，变少；逐步衰落
The moon waxes and wanes every month.
mad lust: frantic, insane, overmastering desire
Finally he didn’t turn away at all; he just stood and stared with mad lust at the coat.
Hyperbole. It’s an exaggeration to describe his great longing for the coat as “mad lust〞.
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He just stood there, looking with great longing at the coat.
“What's Polly to me, or me to Polly?〞
He has no reason to weep over losing Polly. Petey goes on rationalizing〔有理化〕.
conscience 良心，道德心
casual kick: (American colloquialism or slang) an occasional pleasure
laughs: (American colloquialism or slang) mere diversion or pleasure
comply: v. act in accordance with a request, order etc.
He reluctantly〔嫌恶的，不情愿地〕 complied with their wishes.
The factory was closed for failing to comply with government safety regulations.
bunch: v. to (cause to) form into one or more bunches or close groups 使聚成堆/群
The captain told the players not to bunch (up) together, but to spread out over the field.
mound: n. ~ of
(1) a pile of earth, stones, etc. often one built in ancient times as a defence or over a grave; small hill 土石堆，土岗，土丘
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a burial mound 坟堆
(2) a large pile of
a mound of papers on my desk
Simile, comparing Petey in the fur coat to a large pile of dead raccoons.
deal: (American slang) an unethical transaction or agreement from which both parties benefit, specifically, the securing of favored treatment by extortion(敲诈) or bribery〔贿赂〕
Gee: an exclamation of surprise, wonder, etc.
Delish: clipped vulgar form for “delicious〞
loom: v. to come into sight without a clear form, esp. in a way that appears very large and unfriendly, causing fear. 隐约出现
If sth. looms, it appears as a problem or event that is approaching, or that will soon happen, a rather literary use.
This looms as a big question for many new parents.
no small: Understatement, restraint or lack of emphasis in expression, as for rhetorical effect. 保守的述, 掩饰
Litotes/Understatement: A figure of speech consisting of an understatement in which an
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affirmative is expressed by negating its opposite, 曲言法, 间接表达法, 反语法 (以反面的否认代替肯定的词格)
not bad = very good
no easy = very difficult
This is no small problem=This is a very big/serious problem.
dimension: n.
(1) a measurement in any one direction, extent
Length is one dimension and width is another.
Time is sometimes called the fourth dimension.
(2) a particular side or part of a problem, subject, etc.; aspect 问题等的方面，局部
There is another dimension to this problem which you haven’t considered.
got to: (Americanism) began to, started to
physical charms: beautiful face and figure
way she entered a room: carriage and poise of bearing
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way she handled a knife and fork: refined table manners
I had all the facts at my finger tips: I was completely familiar with all the facts.
have at one’s finger tips: to be completely familiar with; to have available for instant use
I picked…next date: On our next social engagement day I called on her to take her along with me.
pick up: to stop for (to call on) and take or bring along
Knoll: the name of the campus meeting place. Perhaps it was given this name because it was a small mound or hillock.
trysting place: meeting place, esp. where lovers meet secretly
wince: v. to move suddenly as if drawing the body away from sth. unpleasant
She winced as she touched the cold body.
by all means: of course; certainly, expressing her approval
batting her lashes: blinking or fluttering her eye-lashes rapidly to show pleasurable excitement
Metonymy(换喻〕. Otherwise you have committed a logical fallacy called “a dicto simpliciter ad dictum secundum quid〞
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But this is marvy: But this is marvelous (wonderful)
It will be better if…: a request showing displeasure
desist: v. (fml.) ~from to stop doing sth.
The judge told the man to desist from threatening his wife.
“Really?〞 said Polly, amazed. “Nobody?〞 (Para.76)
Two elliptical rhetorical questions.
It is really true that nobody at the University of Minnesota can speak French?
hid my exasperation.
The narrator was greatly irritated or annoyed by Polly’s stupidity. He controlled his voice and temper to hide his true feelings.
exasperation: n. [U] extreme anger or annoyance
exasperate: v.
In sheer exasperation, she gave the machine a kick. /她气急败坏的踢了这台机器一脚。
I fought off a wave of despair: I struggled to keep away the feeling of despair.
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I was getting…girl: I was making no progress with this girl
get nowhere: to make no progress; accomplish nothing
I am nothing… persistent: a case of a double negative making a positive. I am very persistent.
“…You are guilty of Post Hoc if you blame Eula Becker.〞 (Para.82)
Metonymy(转喻〕. You have committed the logical fallacy called post hoc (ergo propter hoc).
contrite: ad. (old use or lit.) feeling or showing guilt or sorrow for one’s actions 悔悟的；痛悔的
contritely: adv.
contrition: n.
a contrite apology 痛悔的抱歉
chirp: v. make short sharp sounds of small birds or some insects, say or speak in a way that sounds like this. 发啁啾声；唧唧叫；吱喳叫
She chirped (out) her thanks.
blink: v. to shut and open the eyes quickly, once or several times 眨眼
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She blinked (her eyes) as the bright light shone on her.
consult: v. to refer to or turn to, esp. for information
call it a night: (colloquialism) to stop working for the night; also “call it a day〞.
deposit: v.
(1) to put or set down, usu. in a stated place 放置；安置
She deposited her shopping on the table.
He deposited himself in the nearest chair.
(2) to let fall and leave lying 使沉淀；使淤积
As the river slows down it deposits rich soil at its bends.
河水的流速减慢时有大量的沃土沉积在河的转弯处。
(3) to place money in a bank or safe 储蓄；存放
You can deposit your valuables in the hotel safe.
(4) to pay money that will be returned later if certain conditions are kept 付押金〔保证金〕；预付定金
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Tenants are usually required to deposit 100 pounds with the agent, in case of damage or default.
房客通常要向房地产代理商交纳100磅押金，以防东西损坏或拖欠房租。
glum: ad. sad; in low spirits; gloomy 闷闷不乐的；忧郁的
glumly: adv.
glumness: n.
doom: v. cause to experience or suffer sth. unavoidable and unpleasant such as death or destruction
From the start, the plan was doomed to failure (to fail).
The girl simply had a logic-proof head: Polly had a head that was resistant to (would not be affected by) logic.
proof: resistant to, unaffected by— fireproof, waterproof, etc.
a bullet-proof car
a sound-proof room
Who knew: a rhetorical question, expressing some doubt or some hope. He might still succeed in teaching Polly some logic. Nobody knew whether he would be able to teach Polly
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some logic or not.
extinct: ad. (of a volcano) no longer active
crater: n. the round bowl-shaped mouth or a volcano 火山口
ember: (usu. pl) a red-hot piece of wood or coal esp, in a fire that is no longer burning with flames.
Maybe somewhere…into flame: Metaphor〔隐喻〕, comparing Polly’s mind to the extinct crater of a volcano, and “embers〞 to some spark of intelligence. Perhaps there is still some intelligence left in Polly’s empty/stupid mind.
admittedly: adv. by admission or general agreement; confessedly
prospect: something hoped for or expected; anticipated outcome
fraught: filled, charged, or loaded (with)
blubber: v. (old) to weep noisy 号哭;哭诉
Stop blubbering.
He blubbered out a pathetic apology.
brief: n. a concise statement of the main points of a law case, usually filed by counsel for the information of the court 案情摘要
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blueprint: n. a photographic copy of a plan for making a machine or building a house.
Nuts: an American slang. It is an exclamation of disgust, scorn, disappointment, refusal, etc..
Doggedly I pressed on: I went ahead stubbornly. I kept on persistently.
yummy: (American colloquialism) echoic of a sound made in expressing pleasure at a taste; very tasty; delectable
Sounds yummy: Sounds fine.
photographic plate: 摄影感光板
pitchblende: n. [U] a dark shiny substance dug from the earth from which uranium and radium are obtained 沥青铀矿
Mixed subjunctive mood: If+ had (not) done….(与过去事实相反), …would (not) do…(与现在事实相反)
knock (sb.) out: (American slang) to elicit enthusiasm or an emotional response, esp. deep sympathy or laughter.
dreamy: ad. (American slang) excellent, wonderful, delightful
fracture: v. (American slang) to evoke a strong reaction in someone; to cause to react with enthusiasm
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hypothesis: n. an idea which is thought suitable to explain the facts about sth. for a particular situation or condition, but which has not yet been proved to be correct.
People have proposed all kinds of hypothesis about what these things are.
There is…can bear: Synecdoche提喻法, material for the thing made. There is a limit to what any human being can bear.
“The next fallacy is called Poisoning the Well.〞 (Para.115)
It’s a Metaphor隐喻法. The writer compares “the personal attack on a person holding some thesis〞 to “poisoning the well〞.
How cute: (American slang) How clever!
gurgle: v. ~with (esp. of a baby) to make a sound like water flowing unevenly 咯咯笑声
The baby gurgled with pleasure.
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