哥特式建筑带着浓重的宗教色彩，这使她超越了单纯的艺术表现，也比中世纪其他的文化成就更让人叹为观止。她有高耸入云的尖塔，棱纹拱顶；她大多是教堂；她的代表作品就是我们熟知的巴黎圣母院……
Many diversified characteristics will help identify a structure as Gothic: ogee archways, ribbed vaults, and the wondrous flying buttresses are a few. Yet, it is always the craft placed high above, which captures our eyes and imaginations most effectively.
Since all works of religious art rise beyond mere artistic expression, bearing potent symbolic reference, we must accept that our attention was intended to be focused upwards. Within the span of the passing centuries, the cathedrals of the Middle Ages themselves rise up above other cultural achievements. At the center of these towering legacies resides Notre Dame de Paris, "Our Lady".
重点词汇
Gothic a. 哥特式的
ogee n. 弯曲，S形
archway n. 拱门，拱道
vault n. 拱顶
ribbed a. 有棱纹的，有肋骨的
buttress n. （建筑）扶壁
few n. 很少数，几乎没有
cathedral n. 大教堂
the Middle Ages n. 中世纪
potent a. 有力的，有效的
legacy n. 祖先传下的遗产
towering a. 高耸的，杰出的
reside v. 居住
Notre Dame de Paris n. 巴黎圣母院
