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人生之钥-第5部分
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那些运气好的少数女子,碰到的可能是与自己怀有同样想法的男人,不管他们之间是一时的纵情还是一生的承诺,他们都经历着最好的关系——平等和相互尊重,分享着快乐的体验和相互的欣赏。
所以,所有那些热衷于解放的年轻女人啊,要小心选择你们的伴侣,哪怕只是为了一夜情。
在维多利亚时代最优秀的一篇小说里,我读到了如下一句话:贫穷对我们下的最可怕的诅咒,是我们无法保护自己的女人。
在以前的年代,有钱人家的女人是不能在没有陪护的情况下出门的。穷人家的女人则常常与孩子一样,是易受攻击、脆弱以及猎物的代名词。
当我长大后,我母亲告诉我,年轻女孩儿独自在晚上出门或是远行而没有年长人的陪伴,这都是不体面的。
我对这种试图控制年轻女子的旧传统很是鄙夷。我出生在20世纪的后半期,习惯取悦我自己,喜欢环游世界,在任何我愿意的时候到任何我想去的地方。
我还记得自己在德国高速公路上行驶时那种激动的感觉,记得独自一人在清晨的巴黎拉丁区闲逛时的悠闲,记得在罗马欣赏巴洛克风格教堂时的沉醉。只有一次,在伦敦的Soho区,我迷路了。一个陌生人帮我叫了辆出租车,并告诉我一个人待在那儿是不安全的。
我们曾在报纸上读到过关于女人失踪、被强奸或谋杀的报道,她们曾错误地以为自己是安全的。事实是,我们依旧是毫无防卫的脆弱的人。这并非是旧有的偏见在阻碍我们追求自由的道路,那些爱我们的人,也并非出于“不体面”的想法才要保护我们。
我现在知道了,自己是多么幸运。有些女人则没那么幸运。因为对她们或其家人来说,危险变成了现实。
自人类启蒙时期就有这样一句话:女人为爱而性,男人为性而爱。这让我想到了近代的风流浪子卡萨诺瓦,一个擅长在那些有魅力而成功的单身女性熟睡时走进她们屋子的男人。
她们醒来时,却常会感觉安全、亲切和动情——多么可怕的折磨。最后,他总能哄她们上床,这一切竟没有任何暴力和强行的迹象。实际上,他的确是在尽力满足她们,有几个女人甚至还要求他回来。
事情最终败露时,他被指控犯有无数次连环强奸罪。起诉者花了很大的工夫才让受害的人们指证他。她们都深感羞愧,不是因为被强奸,而是因为她们几乎没有反抗。
辩护律师认为,所有的被害人都是自愿的,被告的罪行仅仅是闯入了别人的家。被告自己说,他从来没想伤害任何人。他只想帮助那些孤独的女人找到真爱的感觉。打开她们钢铁般的心的唯一方法就是在她们不设防时捕获芳心,有一天她们会感谢他缓解了自己冰冷自负的盔甲给她们带来的痛苦。
但受害者的报告为审判起了决定性作用。他的行为明显地给这些女人留下了与最恶毒的暴力攻击同样的创伤。
他被判处长期监禁。整个国家的女性都为之松了口气。
那些自说嫁得好的女人常常是嫁得不怎么样的一群。我很同情那些在婚礼上接受祝福的新娘,人们都说她终于钓上了一个好男人。这似乎暗示:她占了什么便宜,得到了多于自己应得的东西,她的新郎似乎应该吸引更好的人。
不管年龄、长相、财富或教育背景等这些世俗标准为何,也不管这世界如何衡量人类的价值,总之,这些祝福都清晰地传达着同一个讯息:她是幸运的,他却不是。
这个女人的未来很难预料。她或许竭尽一生都在试图证明那些人是错的,向她丈夫的家人和朋友表明他没有选错人。
这样的战役很难取胜,再多的努力、自我牺牲和公正都无法改变最初的事实,她无法获得最初即被否认的尊重。
对她而言,即使是在自己家人面前,争取自己的权利也会变得非常困难。孩子们会很快察觉这种弱点然后利用它,直至最终毁掉她。想想你所知道的那些被宠坏的、骄纵而蛮横的孩子吧,他们不都是出自一个女人对自己在家庭中的地位不自信的家庭吗?书 包 网 txt小说上传分享
Gender 性别(2)
有意思的是,在很多这样女人陷落的陷阱中,男人似乎并不受其影响。
因此我们可以说:女人在没有明确自己的全部价值前不应该结婚。
我在电视上看到了一个关于斑马的节目。在斑马群里,雄性照顾着他的家庭,每个雄斑马都有他所负责的几个雌斑马和小斑马。
雄斑马带领、保护着她们,寻找水以及新的栖息地,在遭遇危险时始终站在最前面。
这很打动我。在不久以前,这也是我们社会中男性的角色。男人是权威的象征:引导者、带领者、奉献者,不论在家里还是其他地方都是如此。
现在,随着女性的独立,家长制逐渐没落。反之,我们有了两个人来分担重任。这给女性带来了更多的满足,当然,我想有些男性也从中得到了满足。
但是,那些羞涩的、缺乏安全感以及对自己男性特征不怎么自信的男人怎么办呢?那些没有社会支援的、没有成功的男人该怎么办呢?自信的女人们残酷地设定着挑选的标准,她们通常挑那些强健的、有能力而有抱负的男人。
想想那无数个单身母亲吧,曾经也有一个男人是她们家庭的主心骨。可这些男人都跑到哪儿去了呢?是什么让他们逃开了?他们难道是同性恋、孤独而绝望的男人,还是有自杀倾向的男人?
在人类进化的过程中,某些地方似乎缺失了,而由此,也生出了受害者。
It seems to me there is no such thing as a sexually liberated woman。 Liberation exists between two people or not at all。
As a concept it is by all means present in the heads of innocent young girls; who proudly look upon their bodies as assets to be enjoyed。
Unlike her mother; who regarded sex with shame and fear; through a romantic haze; today’s woman is a free spirit; confident in her attractions。 She walks at ease into the waiting world to sample what it has to offer on equal terms with the men。
Chances are; she may hook a fellow who can’t conceive of such a thing as women’s sexual liberation; but simply sees a female offering herself for free。
Depending on his level; such a man will either take advantage; break her heart; or impregnate; deceive; abandon; use; abuse; degrade; exploit her; go as far as beat or rape her。
Years later the woman will look back; wondering what destroyed her。 Whatever happened to her sexuality? Her confidence? Not to mention her attractions?
It has to be said that those lucky few who team up with a like…minded partner; go on to have the best of all relations; whether a fling or a lifetime mitment: an equal match of balance and respect; of shared pleasure and mutual enjoyment。
So – all aspiring liberated young women: Be very careful in your choice of mate; even for a one…night stand。
In one of our great Victorian novels I read the following pronounce…ment: ‘The terrible curse of being poor is that we cannot afford to protect our women。’
In the old days; rich ladies never moved without an escort; while the women of the poor were sent into the world little more than children; vulnerable; exposed; fair game to anyone。
When I grew up; my mother told me it was unseemly for young girls to go about alone at night or travel without an older panion。
I scoffed at such ridiculous conventions designed to keep demure young ladies in control。 I was a child of the late twentieth century; intending to suit myself。 See the world; go where I pleased; at any hour I fancied。
I can recall the thrill of freedom hitching a lift down the German motorway; solitary strolls through Paris’ Latin Quarter in the early hours of the morning; illuminated baroque churches in Rome; splendid in the dead of night。 Though once in London’s Soho I got lost。 A real thug helped me to a taxi; saying I wasn’t safe there on my own。
In newspapers we read reports of women missing; raped or murdered; having mistakenly believed they were safe。 The truth is; we are still as vulnerable unprotected。 It’s not just old…fashioned prejudice that es in the way of our freedom。 And not just fear of misbehaviour that makes our loved ones want to shelter us。
Gender 性别(3)
I know now that I was incredibly lucky。 Some women weren’t。 To them; and their families; the danger became real。
Even in our enlightened days; the saying goes that women give sex for love; while men give love for ; who specialised in entering the homes of attractive; successful single women as they slept。
Once awake; they were subjected to a terrifying ordeal of reassur…ance; tenderness; affection。 In the end he gently coaxed them into bed: no sign of force or violence。 Indeed; he did his best to satisfy them; a few even asked him to e back。
Eventually found out; he went on trial accused of countless serial rapes。 The prosecution had a hard time getting victims to testify。 They were so deeply ashamed – not of having been raped; but of having offered no resistance。
The defence claimed all encounters had been consensual。 His only crime was that of entering people’s homes。 The man himself said it was never his intention to hurt anyone。 He just wished to introduce these lonesome women to the nature of true love。 The only way to open up their hearts of steel was by catching them off guard。 One day they’d thank him for easing off their armour of cold self…sufficiency。
The victim impact reports were decisive。 His actions obviously left them with a trauma as bad as the most vicious; violent attacks。
He was given a long prison sentence。 And a whole female popul…ation breathed a sigh of relief。
Women said to marry well often marry badly。 I pity any bride who receives congratulations on having captured an eligible man。 For this implies that she has somehow got more than she deserves; that her groom had been expected to attract something better。
Whether it is looks; age; wealth or education; background; status or any other mundane criteria; by which the world measures human value; the message es across clearly: she is lucky; he is not。
It doesn’t augur well for the woman’s future。 She’ll be conde…mned to a life…long struggle trying to prove them all wrong: showing her husband’s family and friends that he didn’t make a mistake in choosing her。
The battle is hard to win; for no amount of hard work; self…sacrifice or moral rectitude will ever change the facts of her beginnings; gain her the esteem initially denied her。
She will always have difficulty asserting herself; even within her own family。 Children detect such weakness and are quick to take advantage; which will further undermine her。 Think of any spoilt; indulged or unruly children you know。 Aren’t they usually the product of a mother unsure of her role in the home?
It’s interesting how this trap; in which so many women are caught; does not seem to swallow up men。
All one can say is: No woman should be allowed to marry; before she knows her own full worth。
On television I saw a program about zebras。 Apparently; within a large herd; the males look after their families。 Each one has a few females and foals; for whom he is responsible。
He leads them; drives them and directs them; shelters and protects them; seeks out water and new pastures; takes the front…line in face of any danger。
It struck me that; not so long ago; such was the role of males in our society。 Men were figures of authority: instructors; guardians; providers – at home if nowhere else。
Now with women’s independence; patriarchs are dying out。 Instead we have two partners sharing the load。 Much more satisfactory – for the women。 And; I suppose; some men。
But what about all those males; shy; insecure; uncertain of their masculinity; who; unsupported by their culture; fail to make the grade? Self…assured girls pick their mates with cruel distinction: usually favouring those strong; able and aggressive。
Think of all the myriad single mothers: for each one there is a man who in days gone by would have been the head of her household。 Where are all these obsolete men? What bees of them? Are they gay? Lonely? Desperate? Part of suicide statistics?
Somewhere in the course of evolution a human strand has been lost and a pool of victims created。
Intimacy 亲密(1)
当一个男人和一个女人互相吸引,这种吸引——不管是激情迸发、迅速碰撞,渐入佳境或暗藏已久,还是反反复复,直到热情燃尽——我认为多是性欲使然。
一见钟情的说法是很吸引人的,但实际上并无此事。爱情,只能发生在欲望和需求被满足、心愿被达成以后。
性是一种本能,是占有和支配,是一种被认为是一旦释放便十分危险的力量。由于我们无法得知它会把我们带到哪儿,因此需要极其小心地对待。
而爱,从来就不是一种威胁。它是深思熟虑后的选择,是对过错的包容,是把对方的利益置于自己利益之上而心甘情愿的选择。
如果性的本质是自我表现,爱则正好相反——它是对自我的持续征服,是对人本性的强有力的挑战。
我们爱的能力总是受到各种检验和挑战,当遭遇障碍时就需要彼此的沟通。倘若能够成功攻克,则会让彼此更投入、更紧密。
缺少爱的关系,不管它是多么地充满激情,都是无法存活的。没有了爱,我们甚至会摔倒在第一道围墙前。
20世纪60年代的性解放倡导者都怀有一个崇高的目标——将人类从古老而平淡的道德桎梏中解放出来,脱离各种宗教谴责、禁忌、愧疚和羞耻之心。
爱情和亲密则被定义为人类生来就有的权利,是混合着肉欲快感的一种健康而自然的表达方式。
孤独被认为是一去不复返的东西,似乎所有人都应该得到身体上的和精神上的满足而不要害怕拒绝。
这些人道主义者万万没有想到的是,不久以后,他们这些主张就被现代商业利益劫持了,用来不顾一切地谋取粗俗的财务利润。
今天,性成了压倒一切的营销工具。社会上的所有人,无一例外地都被四面八方而来的这种观念包围着,甚至连孩子也未能幸免。这让人们总是有种错觉,似乎只有性才是你来到这个世界上的唯一目的。
当人们将无心的酒后纵情和野鸳鸯偷情视作真实、正常的时候,当人们忍受着不断增长的性暴力和疾病所带来的恶果时,当有太多的孩子原本就不该来到这个世界上受虐待时,人们如何才能抵挡这种冲击和洗脑呢?
让我们与亲密说再见,去拥抱孤独。
那是一个将结婚视作两个人唯一有理由生活在一起,或者说睡在一起的时代。你甚至没有问为什么便走向了婚姻的殿堂。(除非是奉子成婚。)
或者,你是在指望婚姻带给你一些好处:个人的、社会的或物质的。对于那些脆弱和缺乏安全感的人来讲,结婚提供了一个安全的港口——由配偶带来的一个全新的身份。
不用说,这样的婚姻不会自此相安无事。没有人能够确定对方的动机是什么。在发生冲突时,一方很有可能会说:“跟你结婚我算错了,不是因为我爱你,这不是我自己的意愿!”
现如今,没有了来自社会的压力和不良的动机,你可能会问:人们为什么还要结婚呢?
我无法想象出一个好的原因,除了,或许可以说是一个你想向世界展示自己所属的简单愿望驱动了你结婚的念头;也或许是因为你想到了没有人在身旁陪伴的惨淡未来;或许是一个你希望陪在你爱的人身旁的真挚念头;也可能是你希望把自己的一生献给你的爱人……
如果你是因为上面的念头选择婚姻,那它将再好不过了。但是,天啊,这的确需要勇气。任何得到它的人,我会脱帽向你致敬:恭喜你!
在伦敦读书的时候,我跟一个穆斯林的女孩儿一起住。她的妈妈——一个不算老的女人——来看她的时候从头到脚都盖着黑布,只露出双眼。她很骄傲地告诉我,这源于一个12年前对死去丈夫许下的庄严誓言:别的男人再不会看到她美丽的面容了。
拥有同样信念的是我认识的一位西方女人。她的大半生都是在死去的丈夫的照片和遗物的包围中度过的,她热切地悼念着她与丈夫的爱,不让任何其他男人有接近她的机会。
另一个带着小孩的寡妇嫁给了一个听不得她前夫名字的男人。任何属于她前夫的东西都被扔掉了。他对孩子说:“那个男人已经死了,现在我是你的父亲。”
还曾有一个康涅马拉(Connemara)的工人,他边给我的厨房贴砖边跟我聊天。他顺便提起了他的妻子——一个曾是带着两个孩子的寡妇,也很友好地提到了妻子的前夫。
“你认识他?”我问道,他摇摇头说:“我们从没见过,但是我有种感觉,他依然在我们身边,从远处看着我们。”他笑着,继续说,“然后我对他说,别担心,吉米,我会为你照顾好他们。”
我默默地看着他,异常感动。
“她不爱我了,”一个男人叹道,很显然他认为这是非常遗憾的,但也将这视为配偶离开他的正当理由。似乎“爱”,这个跟任何其他情绪一样虚无缥缈的感情状态,是忠诚的首要条件。
Intimacy 亲密(2)
“他丢下我找了个年轻的模特儿。”一个中年已婚妇女哼道,她一直极力避免在婚姻的早期便经历由于摩擦和琐事而致的激情退却,而揭开面纱以后才发现自己的婚姻如此空洞。
说不出任何不满的理由的一方,常常是安于现状、安于婚姻关系和双方利益的人。但渐渐地,他/她突然发现,另外一半,在经历了多年的安逸生活以后,却在力图寻找自由。
看起来,任何情感的、身体的吸引或是常识都是靠不住的,都不能成为两个人在一起的充足保障。那么,什么才是让两个人牵手一生的力量呢?是不朽的爱情吗?有这么一回事儿吗?还是爱原本有其他的作用和功能?
在终了,所有都可归结为价值。只有当两个同样投入的人分享着同样的价值观念的时候,关系才能坚固而持久。
When a man and a woman are drawn together; the attraction; I believe; is always sexual。 Whether firing instantly; flaring bright; or taking its time; smouldering in secret; flickering; rekindling; before burning itself out。
The theory of love at first sight is appealing; but really; there is no such thing。 Love es later; an afterthought; once desires are sated; needs overe; wishes fulfilled。
Sex is instinctive; possessive; manding: a force to be reckon…ed with; dangerous when unleashed。 Since we never know where it will take us; it needs to be handled with care。
Love; on the other hand; is never a threat。 It is deliberate; fashioned by choices; generous to a fault; happy to put the other person’s interests ahead of its own。
If sex is the ultimate in self…expression; love is the opposite: an on…going challenge to vanquish the self。 A formidable task; much against the grain of human nature。
Our ability to love is constantly tested; as we are faced with hurdles that call for mutual negotiation。 If we succeed in clearing them; the result will be a deeper attachment; greater affection; a closer bond。
Conversely; no relationship; however passionate; will survive if love is lacking。 Without love we fall at the first fence。
Proponents of the 1960s sexual revolution had a noble aim in mind: to liberate us all from the age…old tyranny of insipid morality; religious condemnation; secrecy and shame; repression; guilt and inhibition。
Love was the new currency; intimacy a birthright; to be enjoyed along with carnal pleasures and made freely available as a healthy; natural means of expression。
Loneliness would be a thing of the past; every type of relationship respected; physical and emotional fulfilment available to all; with no fear of disapproval or exclusion。
Little did these humanitarians anticipate that; before long; their idealistic concept would be hi…jacked by mercial interests and used for crass material ends with no regard for any values other than financial。
Today; sex is a prime marketing tool exceeding all others。 From all directions it is forced on to an unsuspecting public; sparing no one; not even little children; from the delusion that nothing but your sexuality gives you a place in the world。
How can anybody be expected to withstand this onslaught; brain…washed as we are to accept as the real thing casual couplings or mindless drunken encounters; and to live with the consequences of increased violence against women;more sexually transmitted diseases; children who should never have been born; abuse; confusion and deviation; not to mention emotions laid waste?
Good…bye intimacy。 Hello loneliness。
In the days when marriage was the only accepted arrangement for living together – or even sharing a bed –you went to the altar without asking why。 (Unless; that is; a baby was on the way。)。 最好的txt下载网
Intimacy 亲密(3)
Or else you looked to marital status for the benefits it would bring: personally; socially; materially。 For anybody weak or insecure; matrimony offered a safe haven: a brand new identity supplied by the spouse。
It goes without saying that such married couples did not always live happily ever after。 No one could be sure of the partner’s motives。 In a conflict either could say: “I married you for all the wrong reasons。 Not because I loved you。 Not of my own free will。”
Nowadays; with no more pressure from society and little in way of incentives; you may well ask: Why should anyone want to get married?
I can’t think of a single good reason… Except; possibly; a simple wish to show the world where you belong… visions of a future bleak without the other… a genuine desire to be there for the one you love; dedicating your life to his or her welfare。
For marriages entered into on these grounds auguries couldn’t be better。 But; my goodness; it takes courage。 For any couple who have found it; I take off my hat and say: Congratulations!
As a student in London; I shared a flat with a Moslem girl。 Her mother; still young; came to visit; covered in black from head to toe: her eyes were all I ever saw of her。 Proudly she told me of a solemn vow made to her husband on hi
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