Black Theme Conveyed Modes E Style Jean Toomer's

意群训练： In addition , the style o f some Black novels , like Jean Toomer's Cane , verges o n expressionism or surrealism ; does this techniqu e provide a counterpoint to the prevalent them e that portray s the fat e against whic h Black heroes are pitted , a them e usually conveyed b y more naturalisti c modes of expression?

标志： /In addition/, the style of some Black novels , like Jean Toomer's Cane , verges on expressionism or surrealism ; does this technique provide a counterpoint {to the prevalent theme［that portrays the fate (against which Black heroes are pitted)］, (a theme usually conveyed by more naturalistic modes of expression)}?

译文： /不但如此/，有些黑人小说 （比如JT的《甘蔗》）的风格 接近 于表现主义或超现实主义 ；这种技巧 是否{ 为流行的主题}提供了 一个和谐的对应 呢？这种主题 ［刻画了（黑人主人公与之 相抗争的）命运，（这是一个通常用更为自然主义的表现手法所表达的主题）。

解释： 在本句中有三个词需要先解释一番：verge on这个词组是“接近于，濒于”的意思；hero在文学作品中是主人公的意思；pit做动词时，除了“挖坑，窖藏”之外，还有“使……竞争，使……斗争”的意思，其英文释义为：（A ）to set (as gamecocks) into or as if into a pit to fight （B ） to set into opposition or rivalry—usually used with against。在此用的是（B ）词义的被动语态：fate against which Black heros are pitted，如果用主动语态则是：pit black heros against fate。

另外，本句的结构复杂。分号之后是一个一般疑问句，但是由于修饰成分过多、过长，使得读者看不清楚这个句子在问什么。其实如果没有最后的那个prevalent theme的同位语a theme usually conveyed by more naturalistic modes of expression，本句会易懂得多。