1.Early Autumn

课本页数: 7 作者: Langston Hughes

正文和翻译

When Bill was very young, they had been in love. Many nights they had spent walking, talking together. Then something not very important had come between them, and they didn’t speak. Impulsively, she had married a man she thought she loved. Bill went away, bitter about women.

Yesterday, walking across Washington Square, she saw him for the first time in years.

比尔年轻时坠入了爱河。无数个夜晚，他和她一起散步，一起谈心。后来，两人因为鸡毛蒜皮的小事产生了隔阂，停止了交往。她冲动地嫁给了别人，她以为对方是她的真命天子。比尔带着对女人的恨，离开了伤心之地。

昨天经过华盛顿广场的时候，她看见了他。这是分开多年以来的第一次相遇。

“Bill Walker,” she said. He stopped. At first he did not recognize her, to him she looked so old. “Mary! Where did you come from?” Unconsciously, she lifted her face as though wanting a kiss, but he held out his hand. She took it. “I live in New York now,” she said. “Oh” — smiling politely. Then a little frown came quickly between his eyes. “Always wondered what happened to you, Bill.” “I’m a lawyer. Nice firm, way downtown.” “Married yet?” “Sure. Two kids.” “Oh,” she said.

A great many people went past them through the park. People they didn’t know. It was late afternoon. Nearly sunset. Cold.

“And your husband?” he asked her. “We have three children. I work in the bursar’s office at Columbia.” “You’re looking very . . .” (he wanted to say old) “. . . well,” he said.

“比尔沃克。” 她叫出了他的名字。 他停了下来。第一眼并没有认出她。她老了。 “玛丽！你这是从哪里过来？” 她不自觉地昂起脸，仿佛期待一个吻面礼。但是他伸出了手。于是她和他握了握手。 “我现在在纽约生活。”她回答。 “哦。” 他回以礼节性的微笑，转瞬间皱了皱眉。 “比尔，我一直在想你过的好不好。” “我现在在当律师。在一个很不错的公司。在市中心。” “结婚了吗？” “当然，还有两个孩子。” “哦。”她回应。

人们络绎不绝地穿过公园，经过他们身边。都是陌生人。傍晚时分。太阳要下山了。寒意陡生。 “你的丈夫呢？”他问。 “我们有三个孩子。我在哥伦比亚大学的财务科工作。” “你看起来非常……”（他想说老）。“……不错。”他说。

She understood. Under the trees in Washington Square, she found herself desperately reaching back into the past. She had been older than he then in Ohio. Now she was not young at all. Bill was still young.

“We live on Central Park West,” she said. “Come and see us sometime.” “Sure,” he replied. “You and your husband must have dinner with my family some night. Any night. Lucille and I’d love to have you.”

The leaves fell slowly from the trees in the Square. Fell without wind. Autumn dusk. She felt a little sick.

“We’d love it,” she answered. “You ought to see my kids.” He grinned.

Suddenly the lights came on up the whole length of Fifth Avenue, chains of misty brilliance in the blue air.

她明白他想说什么。在华盛顿广场的树下，她不由自主地想起了过去。在俄亥俄州的时候她就比他年长。她现在已经不年轻了。而比尔还年轻。 “我们住在中央公园西部路”，她说，“有空到我们那坐坐。” “好的。”他回应道。“你和你的丈夫一定要找时间和我们共进晚餐。哪个晚上都行。露西儿和我会很开心的。”

广场上，树叶缓缓落下。没有一丝风。秋天的黄昏。她有些不舒服。 “好的，我们会的。”她回答。 “你应该来看看我的孩子。”他笑了，露出牙齿。 第五大道的路灯突然都亮了，一排排，在雾色中微微发亮。

“There’s my bus,” she said. He held out his hand. “Good-bye.” “When . . .” she wanted to say, but the bus was ready to pull off. The lights on the avenue blurred, twinkled, blurred. And she was afraid to open her mouth as she entered the bus. Afraid it would be impossible to utter a word.

Suddenly she shrieked very loudly. “Good-bye!” But the bus door had closed.

The bus started. People came between them outside, people crossing the street, people they didn’t know. Space and people. She lost sight of Bill. Then she remembered she had forgotten to give him her address — or to ask him for his — or tell him that her youngest boy was named Bill too.

“我等的汽车来了。"她说。 他伸出手，“再见”。 “那…”，她还有话想说，但是汽车要开了。第五大道的灯忽明忽暗。她上车了，不敢开口。害怕说不出话。 突然她尖声喊道“再见”，但车门已经关上。

汽车启动了。人们从他们之间走过，马路上熙熙攘攘，都是陌生人。距离和路人。比尔消失在她的视线中。这时她才想起她忘了告诉比尔她的地址，也忘了问他的地址，也忘了告诉他她的小儿子也叫比尔。

课本小练习

Discussion Tips

"Early Autumn" is the kind of short story which might be referred to as "a slice of life"form of writing. The writer "cuts" a slice or a segment of life and presents it under the microscope of the readers' consciousness for their careful examination. Behind the seemingly ordinary conversations, which form most part of the story, is the writer's careful selection and reorganization of the materials. The story provides no moral lesson about what is right and what is wrong, but an opportunity for the reader to relive a small episode of daily life. The reader needs to involve himself-to "fill in the gaps" and to "play a role"- to feel the emotional undercurrents beneath the calm surface of the narration. Different readers may get from the story different interpretations of the tragedy of a woman who lives in the memory of the past.

课堂录屏

yf的资料

Early Autumn

"Early Autumn" is a short story by Langston Hughes, a prominent figure in the Harlem Renaissance. This story, like many of Hughes' works, is known for its simplicity in style and depth in meaning, exploring themes of lost opportunities, the passage of time, and the impact of choices on one's life.

The story revolves around a brief, chance encounter between Bill Walker and Mary, his former love, on a street in New York City. Years have passed since their relationship ended, and the encounter is filled with unspoken emotions and reflections on what might have been. Bill and Mary have taken different paths in life, with Mary now being married with children, while Bill remains single.

Key themes in "Early Autumn" include:

1. Lost Opportunities and Regrets: The story centers on the theme of lost opportunities and the regrets that come with them. Bill and Mary's chance meeting highlights the paths not taken and the life they could have had together.
2. The Passage of Time: The story reflects on how time changes people and circumstances. The autumn setting symbolizes the passing of time and the changes that come with it, both in nature and in human lives.
3. Impact of Choices: "Early Autumn" also delves into how individual choices shape our lives. The decisions made by Bill and Mary in their youth have led them to their current situations, underscoring the lasting impact of choices.
4. Communication and Misunderstanding: The story subtly explores the theme of communication and its failures. The misunderstanding that led to their separation is a critical element, showing how lack of communication can alter the course of lives.
5. Nostalgia and Reflection: There is a strong sense of nostalgia and reflection in the story. The characters reminisce about their past, pondering over the moments and decisions that shaped their present.

Hughes' "Early Autumn" is a poignant exploration of human emotions and life's complexities, delivered in his characteristically concise and impactful style. The story captures the essence of moments that define human experiences, such as lost love, choices, and the inexorable march of time.