2021年英语四级美文赏析：An Irish Wedding思维导图

HaveyoueverbeentoanIrishwedding?Ihavejustreturnedfromone.Itisaquartertofiveinthemorning;thesunhasalreadyclimbedabovethehorizon;thebirdsarebusycelebratingthenewdayandhaveeagerlybeeninsearchoffood.Butsomeoftheguestshavenotyetleft.Theyarestillprolongingthenight:dancing,singing,gossiping,andpostponingtheunfortunatenecessityofundertakingaday’sworkinthefieldsafterasleeplessnight.

Theeveningpartywastostartatteno’clock,butmanyoftheguestsarrivedearlier.Afewofthenearermalerelativeswerelookingratherawkwardineveningsuitswithsmartbowties,andthepleasant,unsophisticatedcountrywomenappearedalittleself-consciousintheirSundaybest.Twomensqueezingaccordionsprovidedthemusic:theoldIrishtunesthathavebeenplayedatweddingsformanyyears.20.Halfthepeopleintheroomweredancingthesquaredances21.whichhavebeenenjoyedevenlonger.

Ascoreofmenstoodinthenarrowdarkhallleaningagainstthewall,drinkingbeerfrombottlesandspeculatingaboutcrops,cattleandthecurrentpoliticalsituation.Andwheneverthedancingstopped,somebodywouldstartsingingoneofthesentimental,treasuredIrishsongs:theexilelongingforhishome,thegrief-strickenlovermourninghisfate.Sometimeswealljoinedinthechorus,sadlyandsolemnly,beforegettinguptodanceagain.Irishweddingsarealmostcertaintohavebeencelebratedinthiswayforgenerations.

Ihavebeentoweddingreceptionswherechampagnehasbeenservedtotheaccompanimentofsoftunnoticedorchestralmusic;IhavelistenedtocarefullypreparedspeechesandeyedalittleenviouslythemodelgownsofwomenfarmoreelegantthanIcouldeverhopetobe.Ihavebeenimpressed,andalittlebored.Ihavejustbeensittingupallnightinasmall,uncomfortableIrishcottageandIhavebeenenjoyingeverymomentofit.