영어로 읽는 SF고전 _ 에드가 R. 버로스의 타잔과 황금도시
"타잔과 황금도시"는 20세기 초에 쓰여진 에드가 라이스 버로스의 소설입니다. 이야기는 상징적인 정글의 영웅 타잔이 신비로운 고대의 땅 아비시니아에서 위험과 음모로 가득한 모험을 시작하면서 계속됩니다. 이 작품은 생존, 원초적 본능, 그리고 자연과 인간성 모두와의 만남이라는 주제들을 보여주며 흥미진진한 야생 모험을 약속합니다.
소설의 도입부는 타잔이 아비시니아의 울창하고 위험한 오지에서 길들여지지 않은 황야의 스릴과 위험을 경험하는 모습을 소개합니다. 배고픔을 달래기 위해 수사슴을 추적한 후, 그는 "시프타스"라고 알려진 무자비한 기마병 무리의 습격을 받아 치열한 생존 싸움을 벌이게 됩니다. 활과 창만을 무기로 한 타잔은 놀라운 기량으로 자신을 방어하며, 그의 기술과 힘을 보여줍니다.
그가 도적들로부터 도망치면서, "시프타스"의 감시 아래 있는 백인 포로를 만나게 되고, 이는 그의 호기심을 자극하며 추가적인 모험의 무대를 마련합니다. 이 초반부는 타잔을 원초적 힘과 용기의 상징으로 신속하게 확립하면서, 더 깊은 갈등들과 문명 대 야생의 복잡한 역학관계를 암시합니다.
Classics Read in English _ Tarzan and the city of gold by Edgar Rice Burroughs
"Tarzan and the City of Gold" is a novel written in the early 20th century by Edgar Rice Burroughs. The story continues the adventures of Tarzan, the iconic jungle hero, as he embarks on a quest filled with danger and intrigue in the mysterious ancient land of Abyssinia. This work promises an exciting exploration of wild adventures, showcasing themes of survival, primal instincts, and encounters with both nature and humanity.
The opening of the novel introduces Tarzan amid the lush and treacherous backlands of Abyssinia, where he experiences the thrill and perils of the untamed wilderness. After tracking down a buck to sate his hunger, he is ambushed by a band of ruthless horsemen known as "shiftas", leading to a fierce fight for survival. Armed only with his bow and spear, Tarzan defends himself with remarkable prowess, showcasing his skill and strength.
As he escapes the bandits, he encounters a white prisoner under the watch of the "shiftas", which ignites his curiosity and sets the stage for further adventures. This initial portion swiftly establishes Tarzan as a symbol of primal strength and bravery, while hinting at deeper conflicts and the complex dynamics of civilization versus the wild.
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Down out of Tigre and Amhara upon Gojam and Shoa and Kaffa come the rains from June to September, carrying silt and prosperity from Abyssinia to the eastern Sudan and to Egypt, bringing muddy trails and swollen rivers and death and prosperity to Abyssinia.
Of these gifts of the rains, only the muddy trails and the swollen rivers and death interested a little band of shiftas that held out in the remote fastnesses of the mountains of Kaffa. Hard men were these mounted bandits, cruel criminals without even a vestige of culture such as occasionally leavens the activities of rogues, lessening their ruthlessness. Kaficho and Galla they were, the offscourings of their tribes, outlaws, men with prices upon their heads.
It was not raining now; and the rainy season was drawing to a close, for it was the middle of September; but there was still much water in the rivers, and the ground was soft after a recent rain.
