영어로 읽는 고전 _ 조지 O. 스미스의 하나를 위한 두 세계
조지 O. 스미스의 "하나를 위한 두 세계"는 20세기 중반에 쓰인 과학소설이다. 이 책은 지구를 둘로 나누는 것이 국제적 갈등을 해결할 수 있다고 믿는 괴짜 천재 폴 먼로 밀턴 교수가 제안한 극단적 해결책을 탐구하면서, 문자 그대로 그리고 이념적으로 세계 분할이라는 개념과 씨름한다. 이야기는 냉전 긴장을 배경으로 설정되어 당시의 정치적 분위기를 반영한다.
이야기는 밀턴 교수가 경쟁하는 이념들, 특히 미국과 소비에트 연방 간의 갈등을 완화하기 위해 세계를 두 반구로 나누는 급진적 아이디어를 추진하려고 자신의 직책에서 사임하는 것을 따라간다. 그가 이 야심찬 프로젝트에 착수하면서, 에드워즈 박사와 해리스 박사, 그리고 FBI 요원을 포함한 관리들이 지구의 파괴적 분리를 막기 위해 시간과 경주한다. 그들의 노력에도 불구하고, 밀턴은 하늘에 두 개의 달이 나타나는 결과를 가져오는 분할을 성공적으로 만들어내며, 이는 지속되는 이념적 분열을 상징한다. 이야기는 밀턴이 달 중 하나의 유리 돔에 거주하면서 여전히 자신의 야심찬 이론들과 그의 행동의 잠재적 결과를 조화시키려고 시도하는 것으로 끝난다.
Classics Read in English _ Two worlds for one by George O. Smith
George O. Smith's "Two Worlds for One" is a science fiction novel from the mid-20th century that wrestles with the concept of global division, both in literal and ideological terms, as it examines the extreme solutions proposed by an eccentric genius, Professor Paul Monroe Milton, who believes that physically splitting Earth in half could resolve international conflicts. The narrative is set against the tense backdrop of Cold War politics, directly reflecting the era's geopolitical anxieties.
The story traces Professor Milton's journey as he abandons his academic position to pursue his radical vision of dividing the world into two separate hemispheres as a means to eliminate strife between competing ideologies, particularly the escalating tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union. As he launches this unprecedented and dangerous project, a coalition of officials?including Doctors Edwards and Harris along with an FBI agent?desperately races against time to prevent what could become a catastrophic planetary separation.
Despite their urgent intervention efforts, Milton succeeds in executing his plan, resulting in the dramatic appearance of two moons in Earth's sky, serving as a powerful symbol of the persistent ideological schism that continues to divide humanity. The narrative concludes with Milton taking up residence in a glass dome on one of these newly created moons, where he continues his attempts to reconcile his ambitious theoretical frameworks with the profound and potentially devastating consequences of his revolutionary actions.
Among the contents
Without preamble, the door swung open with a rush and a man ran into the office. He was waving a paper in one hand, but this was not the only evidence of his excitement; aside from the waved paper and his obviously breathless appearance, the man spoke as soon as he was within sight of the other man behind the desk.
"Professor Milton has resigned!"
The man behind the desk smiled resignedly. "Don't be too concerned, Doctor Harris. Professor Milton has resigned before; he always comes back."
Doctor Harris shook his head. His agitation did not diminish, despite the calm composure of the man behind the desk. "Doctor Edwards," he explained, "you don't really understand. He?"
