In both countries it was clearer than crystal to the lords of the State preserves of loaves and fish

题目

In both countries it was clearer than crystal to the lords of the State preserves of loaves and fish
其中preserves作何成分?

答案

preserves 原意是“保存”.不过这里,“loaves and fishes" 是指圣经里的一个典故：上帝奇迹地把五块面包与两条鱼变多以致足以喂饱他的5000名信徒.所以,这里是在讽刺无情的英法当权者不理当时贫穷人民的苦,掌控当时的食物来源去向,而且还自以为是为全人民的好.所以这里更正确的理解是”掌控“.