此处的satire 指的是irony。例如Slowly the old lady stooped to pick it (the cheque ) up. Her present, her lovely present. With trembling fingers she tore itsintoslittle bits. (老太太慢慢地弯下腰,把支票从地上捡起来,她的礼物,她的可爱的礼物!用颤抖的手指把它撕得粉碎。)老太太八十岁寿辰那天,急切地盼望女儿回家看望她,稍稍安慰她那颗孤寂的心,然而盼来的却是女儿的一张冷冰冰的支票,这当然不是老人心爱的礼物。故此处her lovely present是典型的irony。此处meiosis指的是反叙法,曲言(用否定或较弱的语气加强表示肯定) 如he wasn't slow to accept the offer (= he was quick to accept the offer)not bad=very good。parable是指用寓言的比喻。如你这是典型的酸葡萄心理。This is a typical case of sour grapes.