Ant Battle as Microcosm of War | Generated by AI
This question tests the writing techniques used in “The Battle of the Ants” (《蚂蚁大战》) by Henry David Thoreau.
Question Analysis:
The question asks: What writing technique is used in describing the life-and-death battle between three “warriors” (red and black ants)?
Analysis of Each Option:
- A. 以形写神 (Conveying spirit through form) - Your answer
- This refers to depicting inner character/essence through external appearance
- While the author does personify the ants, this is not the PRIMARY structural technique for this battle scene
- B. 以点带面 (Using a focal point to represent the whole) - ✓ Correct answer
- 点 (point): The detailed battle between three specific warrior ants
- 面 (surface/whole): The entire chaotic battle scene involving many ants
- By focusing on THREE ants’ fierce combat, readers can envision the ENTIRE battlefield
- This is an effective way to handle complex scenes
- C. 今昔对比 (Contrast between past and present)
- Not applicable here
- D. 侧面烘托 (Indirect/side description)
- This would mean describing the subject indirectly through other elements
- Not the main technique used here
Why B is Correct:
According to the explanation:
“In scene description, the author adopts the technique of 以点带面 (using a focal point to represent the whole), focusing on depicting the life-and-death battle of three red and black ‘warriors,’ thereby allowing readers to see the overall situation through typical details. This is an effective approach for handling complex scenes.”
The Technique Explained:
-
The Challenge: Describing a massive ant battle with countless participants would be chaotic and confusing
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The Solution: Zoom in on THREE specific ants fighting fiercely
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The Effect:
- Readers get vivid, concrete details
- Through this “sample,” readers can imagine the entire battlefield
- “透过典型细部而通览全局” (seeing the whole picture through typical details)
Additional Writing Features (mentioned but not the answer):
- Personification: Writing ants as humans with behaviors, gestures, expressions, and psychology
- Analogy: Comparing ant battles to human wars, giving the text deeper social significance
Key Takeaway:
以点带面 is a crucial narrative technique where you select a representative focal point to illustrate a larger, more complex whole. It’s especially useful in battle scenes, crowd descriptions, or any scenario with overwhelming detail.