20. To take this approach to the New Englanders normally means to start with the Puritan's theological innovations and their distinctive ideas about the church—important subjects that we may not neglect.
【分析】复合句。句中的两个不定式短语 To take...和 to start with...分别作主句的主语和宾语:破折号后的内容补充说明 theological innovations and their distinctive ideas, 其中包含 that 引导的定语从句,修饰 subjects。
【译文】以这种方法看待新英格兰人通常意味着要从这些清教徒的神学变革和他们关于教堂的与众不同的理念入手——这些是我们不容忽视的重要主题。
【点拨】动词短语 take a/an ...approach to sth.意思是“对...采用...方法/态度”。
【临摹】对新思想采取不存先入之见的态度是很明智的。
21. But in keeping with our examination of southern intellectual life, we may consider the original Puritans as carriers of European culture, adjusting to New World circumstances.
【分析】简单句。句子主干是 we may consider the original Puritans as carriers...,in keeping with...life...为介词短语作目的状语;adjusting to New World circumstances 为现在分词短语作 carriers 的后置定语。
【译文】但是,为了与我们对南部学术界的研究保持一致,我们可以把最初的清教徒当作适应新大陆环境的欧洲文化传播者。
【点拨】1) in keeping with 意为“符合...与...相一致,与...协调”。2) adjust to 意为“适应,调节"。
【临摹】我相信她,因为她总是言行一致。