2021年英语四级美文赏析：Funeral Sermon for Mammy Caroline Barr思维导图

Carolinehasknowntomeallmylife.Itwasmyprivilegetoseeheroutofhers.Aftermyfather’sdeath,toMammyIcametorepresenttheheadofthatfamilytowhichshehadgivenahalfcenturyoffidelityanddevotion.Buttherelationshipbetweenusneverbecamethatofmasterandservant.Shestillremainedoneofmyearliestrecollections,notonlyasaperson,butasafountainofauthorityovermyconductandofsecurityformyphysicalwelfare,andofactiveandconstantaffectionandlove.

Shewasanactiveandconstantperceptfordecentbehaviour.FromherIlearnedtotellthetruth,torefrainfromwaste,tobeconsiderateoftheweakandrespectfultoage,Isawfidelitytoafamilywhichwasnothers,devotionandloveforpeopleshehadnotborne.Shewasborninbondageandwithadarkskinandmostofherearlymaturityshewaspassedinadarkandtragictimeforthelandofherbirth.Shewentthroughvicissitudeswhichshehadnotcaused;sheassumedcaresandgrieveswhichwerenotevenhercaresandgrieves.

Shewaspaidwagesforthis,butpayisstilljustmoney.Andsheneverreceivedverymuchofthat,sothatsheneverlaidupanythingofthisworld’sgoods.Yetsheacceptedthattoo,withoutcavilorcalculationorcomplaint,sothatbythatveryfailuresheearnedthegratitudeandaffectionofthefamilyshehadgiventhefidelityanddevotionupon,andgainedthegriefandregretofthealienswholovedandlosther.Shewasbornandlivedandserved,anddiedandnowismourned;ifthereisaheaven,shehasgonethere.