新编大学英语 1 Unit 10 背景知识.pptVIP

Man’s relationship with animals has always been ambivalent. On the one hand, animals have been worshipped and attributed with all kinds of mysterious and superior powers. On the other hand, they have been hunted, domesticated, exterminated, and even exploited as a source of entertainment. In many countries, man has also created imaginary creatures that play a major role in popular cultures. The Chinese dragon is perhaps one of the most famous examples. Comparison between animals and man have been made throughout the centuries. In some cultures, the sinister and aggressive aspect of man is regarded as the animal side of human nature. Recent research on human behavior, for example, draws parallels between the aggressiveness of modern man and the abnormal behavior of a caged animal. Some scientists believe that unnatural conditions, such as ovecrowding and alienating routine jobs, cause people to perform acts of violence. Other scientists feel that aggression is a natural instinct that should be directed towards positive and creative activities. The idea of a negative animalistic side of human nature is foreign to the North American Indians who regard Animals as equals of man. They are not only equal to man, but they are considered to be the founders and guardians of their tribes. The raven, the eagle, the bear and other animals always appear in stylized forms on their totem poles. Ever since the dawn of civilization, animals have been used to help and to serve man in many ways. Sheep and goats were bred to provide wool, meat, and fat. Large animals like oxen, water buffalo and horsed were used to pull ploughs and carry heavy loads. Capable of sensing water from a great distance and going days without water, camels proved to be the ideal animal for the nomadic people of the desert. The dog, known in English-speaking countries as “man’s best friend”, is one of the most versatile animals. Dogs have been bred to hunt, to guard, to herb sheep and cattle, to fin