The Sad Young Men 悲哀的青年一代

The Sad Young Men Rod W. Horton and Herbert W. Edwards

1 No aspect of life in the Twenties has been more commented upon and sensationally （耸人听闻地）romanticized than the so-called Revolt of the Younger Generation. The slightest mention of the decade brings nostalgic（looking for something far away or long ago or for former happy circumstance对往事怀恋的；怀旧的；wistful，longing，obsessive萦绕于心的） recollections（回忆） to the middle-aged and curious questionings by the young: memories of the deliciously（愉快的； delectably，pleasurably，） illicit （not allowed by law，custom，rule，etc．违法的；违禁的；非法的；illegitimate，illegal，unlawful，prohibited） thrill （tremor of excitement一阵激动；frisson） of the first visit to a speakeasy（[slang]a place where alcoholic drinks are sold illegally，esp. such a place in the U．S．during Prohibition[俚]美国禁酒期的非法的酒店）, of the brave denunciation （the act of denouncing谴责；抨击；criticism，condemnation，blame）of Puritan（清教徒的） morality, and of the fashionable experimentations in amour（a love affair，esp. of an illicit or secret nature 恋情；尤指不正当的男女关系） in the parked sedan（an enclosed automobile with two or four doors．and two wide seats．front and rear两扇或四扇门、双排座的轿车；car，automobile） on a country road; questions about the naughty (不得体的；猥亵的；improper，obscene淫秽的，vulgar庸俗的，ribald粗俗的), jazzy parties, the flask-toting （always carrying a small flask filled with whisky or other strong liquor身带烈性酒的）"sheik," （a masterful man to whom women are supposed to be irresistably attracted能使女子倾心的美男子） and the moral and stylistic vagaries（an odd，eccentric，or unexpected action or bit of conduct古怪行径；难以预测的行为）of the "flapper"（ a young woman considered bold and unconventional in actions and dress举止与衣着不受传统拘束的年轻女子，轻佻女郎）and the "drug-store cowboy." （a young man who hangs around drugstores and other public places trying to impress women在杂货店和其他公共场所徘徊试图打动女人的年轻男人）"Were young people really so wild?" present-day students ask their parents and teachers. "Was there really a Younger Generation problem?" The answers to such inquiries must of necessity be "yes" and "no"--"Yes" because the business of growing up is always accompanied by a Younger Generation Problem; "no" because what seemed so wild,

irresponsible（不负责任的；careless，feckless，reckless), and immoral in social behavior at