首页
外语
计算机
考研
公务员
职业资格
财经
工程
司法
医学
专升本
自考
实用职业技能
登录
外语
Most critical plot points in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone came from J.K. Rowling’s imagination, but Flamel and his powe
Most critical plot points in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone came from J.K. Rowling’s imagination, but Flamel and his powe
admin
2005-12-10
98
问题
Most critical plot points in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone came from J.K. Rowling’s imagination, but Flamel and his powerful pebble were legendary long before Harry went to Hogwarts. The 14th century alchemist created the philosopher’s stone (called "sorcerer’s" in U.S. editions of Potter), with which he turned mercury to gold and gained eternal life. But Flamel’s tale - like his stone and his science - was no more real than a magic.
The philosopher’s stone was the key to alchemy, the medieval predecessor to chemistry that aimed to cure all illnesses, make the elixir of life, and transmute base metals into gold. The last made perfect sense at the time. The Aristotelian theory of elements stated that all things consisted of fire, air, water, and earth. So a little shift in one metal’s composition could create gold.
Hamel was renowned as an alchemical success. In 1382, after 25 years of studying an ancient book by "Abraham the Jew," he is said to have produced the philosopher’s stone. His texts, notably a deconstruction of the "Abraham" work, were standard reading for aspiring scientists like Isaac Newtori.
Many alchemists believed Flamel faked his 1418 death and that of his wife. Rumored sightings in the 18th century placed them at the Paris Opera. As late as 1816, there were reports of people searching Flamel’s former house for secrets of the stone.
Contemporary historians say a Nicolas Flamel did live in Paris in the 1300s and endowed many churches and hospitals with his wealth. But he was no alchemist. "He got his money in pedestr/an ways - his wife’s earlier marriages, real-estate speculation," says Lawrence Principe, author of The Aspiring Adept. Anachronisms, style of language, and the lack of earlier copies indicate that none of "his" writings originated prior to the 1500s.
"This sort of thing happens in alchemy," says Bill Newman, author of alchemical history Gehennical Fire. When an alchemist couldn’t back up his ideas, he might publish them in the guise of a "lost" work. Flamel’s wealth made a good candidate for alchemical identity theft.
Flamel writings and sightings faded with alchemy’s prestige. And the closest anyone’s come to the philosopher’s stone is Rowling. In her hands, it has yielded not just gold but eternal (shelf) life as well.
The word "pedestrian" (in boldface in Paragraph 5 ) is closest in meaning to ______.
选项
A、secret
B、illegal
C、ordinary
D、dishonest
答案
C
解析
转载请注明原文地址:https://kaotiyun.com/show/kHIO777K
0
考博英语
相关试题推荐
Lookatthestatementsbelowandthetextabouttheimportanceoflisteningtopeopleontheoppositepage.Whichsectionof
Readtheextractbelowfromtheannualreportofacompanywithmanufacturinginterestsaroundtheworld.Choosethebestwo
WHATISIMPORTANTWHEN...?ArrangingasocialeventforclientsTypesofactivitiesCostofeventGivingprese
Howmanyaretherequalitycontrolinspectionpoints?Howtocheckthequalityduringproduction?
Howmanyaretherequalitycontrolinspectionpoints?Whatisthefinalstageofqualitycontrol?
WhydoesJanetWillisthinktheyneedtouseanoutsideagency?Bytheendoftheconversation,theMD
AccordingtoMr.Hunt,whatisthemajorcauseofstress?AccordingtoMr.Hunt,atraderneedstokeepalertallthetimebecause
JustineisparticularlypleasedaboutthecompanyWhichexpensesdotheywanttoreduce?
SuccessfulWaysofCommunicationCommunicationmeans:【B1】speaking______andwritingAneffectivecommunicatorisgoodat:【B2】__
ThisWorkingLifeByMaureenDowdIntheworldofbusiness,itisnotalwayseasyforwomentodothe(29)thingsasmen.
随机试题
长篇小说《高老头》中高老头发财的主要手段是()
关于不作为犯,以下说法正确的有()(2018/客/1/4仿)
可使血压测量值偏低的因素是()
某企业拟建项目基本数据如下,项目总投资9000万元。项目总用地面积为15000平方米,其中项目用地范围内总建筑面积为30000平方米。该项目建筑物占地面积5000平方米,构筑物占地面积3000平方米,堆场用地面积2000平方米。道路占地500平方米、广
单层厂房结构的屋架常选用( )结构。
我国改革开放以来,以()衡量的货币增长速度如果超过经济增长速度与通货膨胀率之和,即发生流动性过剩。
在美国,证券投资基金一般被称为()。
人体最大的解毒器官是________。
ThepresidentofthelordsinBritainiscalled______.
LegendaryactressKatherineHepburndiedattheageof96.SheheldtherecordforwinningthemostOscarsforBestActress.She
最新回复
(
0
)