只看标题、导语和图说(caption),读者不难体会文章立场。小标题“The last laugh”源自英文俗语“have the last laugh”,与中文“笑到最后”意思相近:
If you say that you have the last laugh, you mean that you become successful at something so that people who criticize or oppose you look foolish. (《柯林斯词典》)
在文刀君看来,图说“burning men”两个词可谓绵里藏针,若匆匆读过着实可惜。
动词“burn”除了有“火烧”之意,还可形象地表达“发火(make someone angry)”。例如,“He is burning with anger”,正是动词“burn”的隐喻用法。“burning men”与标题和导语中的“up in arms(注:very angry)”“prickly(注:easily annoyed/offended)”相呼应,构成“愤怒三连击”。
之所以说“burning men”绵里藏针,因为这个词大有来头,源自英文读者非常熟悉的反传统狂欢节“Burning Man Festival(火人节)”。