Second of all the motif of guards who block access to the tree of life suggests that no humans have access to immortality and the pursuit of immortality is futile.

第二点，那些阻止人类接近生命树的守卫,暗示着，任何人类关于永生的尝试,最后都是徒劳一场。

耶鲁公开课 - 旧约导论课程节选

He beat on it and beat on it but it didn't make any sound."

他一遍又一遍地尝试,不过当然是徒劳“

耶鲁公开课 - 1945年后的美国小说课程节选

So, hunger sets in and it becomes extremely sad and tragic, and attempts to break out simply don't work; but, it had its light moments, and I can never resist those.

饥饿来临,一切都变得如此悲惨,而尝试逃跑只是徒劳,但这其中也有些趣事发生,我对这些逸事总是没抵抗力

耶鲁公开课 - 1871年后的法国课程节选