issue36 以前写的，混个作业 嘿嘿

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36. The greatness of individuals can be decided only be those who live after them, not by their contemporaries.

When is it appropriate to assess the greatness of an individual? As far as most cases are concerned, I generally agree with the speaker that it's hard for the contemporaries to give out a comprehensive evaluation when the individual is still alive. Nevertheless I don't totally exclude the possibility of judgments by the contemporaries.

Many great individuals, especially scientists, cannot get just and correct judgments during their lifetime because their theories and inventions often contradict with the well-established religious belief and ethical ideas. Trace back to the Medieval. The religious tyranny of the Dark Age had restrained people's minds. Scientists that time, who had discovered the truths of universe but threatened the religious government, even lived under brutal persecution. Copernicus, who had brought up the sun-centre theory, spent most of his life in prison. Bruno the physicist was even burned on a pyre to death. Their theories were regarded by their contemporaries as heresy which profaned the God. Not until humans were emancipated spiritually and sciences proceeded considerably, did those respectful scientists acquire historical reverence and status which they deserved.

Also, it occurs more frequently that the great individual lives a kind of ordinary or even miserable life, for his or her contemporaries are unable to understand the piths and essence of the works. So they need time to prove their value. The field of art never lacks such examples. The outstanding Dutch painter, von Gough, got only one piece out of hundreds of paintings sold out during his lifetime, for people at his time didn't have the ability to touch his warm and sensitive soul through those excited strokes and vivid colors. Is it ironic that nowadays a painting with mere a "Vincent" signature would go to a significant price no matter it is genuine or fake? Another excellent painter, Monet, received severe pans and contempt when he first finished his impressionism masterpiece, but ultimately acknowledge as the pioneer of a brand new class. People tend to put indifference and scorn on the things which exceed their reach. Then it's not strange that many advancing vanguards gain little attention and live in obscurity.   

However, it must be pointed out that not every great individual doesn’t receive recognition until his or her descendants. For instance, the science fiction film 2001: Space Odyssey presented a magnificent picture which was almost repeated in many specifics by the real Apollo plan just a few years later. Thus the director and the scriptwriter soon achieved fame and success; and the film itself was regarded as a milestone of science fiction films.

For the final analysis, it should be made clear that no definite principle can be applied to judge how long time would need to recognize the greatness of an individual. The splendid diamond may be found at once, or it may also be hidden for years. Today people are holding a more and more open and tolerant attitude to innovative thoughts, which may bring about more recognition and respect for those living significant individuals.

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When is it appropriate to assess the greatness of an individual? As far as most cases are concerned, I generally agree with the speaker that it's hard for the contemporaries to give out a comprehensive evaluation when the individual is still alive. Nevertheless I don't totally exclude the possibility of judgments by the contemporaries.

Many great individuals, especially(for) scientists, cannot get just and correct judgments during their lifetime because their theories and inventions often contradict with the well-established religious belief and ethical ideas. Trace back to the Medieval. The religious tyranny of the Dark Age had restrained people's minds. Scientists that time, who had discovered the truths of universe but threatened the religious government, even lived under brutal persecution. Copernicus, who had brought up the sun-centre theory, spent most of his life in prison. Bruno the physicist was even burned on a pyre to death. Their theories were regarded by their contemporaries as heresy which profaned the God. Not until humans were emancipated spiritually and sciences proceeded considerably, did those respectful scientists acquire historical reverence and status which they deserved.

Also, it occurs more frequently that the great individual lives a kind of ordinary or even miserable life, for his or her contemporaries are unable to understand the piths and essence of the works. So they need time to prove their value. The field of art never lacks such examples. The outstanding Dutch painter, von Gough, got only one piece out of hundreds of paintings sold out during his lifetime, for people at his time didn't have the ability to touch his warm and sensitive soul through those excited strokes and vivid colors. Is it ironic that nowadays a painting with mere a "Vincent" signature would go to a significant price no matter it is genuine or fake? Another excellent painter, Monet, received severe pans and contempt when he first finished his impressionism masterpiece, but ultimately acknowledge as the pioneer of a brand new class. People tend to put indifference and scorn on the things which exceed their reach. Then it's not strange that many advancing vanguards gain little attention and live in obscurity.

However, it must be pointed out that not every great individual doesn’t receive recognition until his or her descendants. For instance, the science fiction film 2001: Space Odyssey presented a magnificent picture which was almost repeated in many specifics by the real Apollo plan just a few years later. Thus the director and the scriptwriter soon achieved fame and success; and the film itself was regarded as a milestone of science fiction films.

For the final analysis, it should be made clear that no definite principle can be applied to judge how long time would need to recognize the greatness of an individual. The splendid diamond may be found at once, or it may also be hidden for years. Today people are holding a more and more open and tolerant attitude to innovative thoughts, which may bring about more recognition and respect for those living significant individuals.

语言/逻辑/例子 各方面都很好. 真不知道该改什么了. 很喜欢你的文章! 向你学习啊