영어로 읽는 고전 _ 제롬 빅스비의 추첨
제롬 빅스비의 "추첨"은 서부극의 요소와 공상과학의 터치를 혼합한 단편소설로, 20세기 중반에 쓰인 것으로 추정됩니다. 미국 서부를 배경으로 하여, 권력, 기술, 그리고 새로 얻은 능력의 함의라는 주제를 중심으로 이야기가 전개됩니다. 이 작품은 자칭 총잡이인 젊은 벅 타란트의 삶과 서부에서 가장 빠른 총잡이가 되려는 그의 탐구, 그리고 총을 손으로 순간이동시킬 수 있는 독특한 능력의 발견을 탐구합니다.
줄거리는 벅이 하룻밤 사이에 어색한 아이에서 믿을 수 없을 정도로 빠른 총잡이로 변하는 것을 목격한 목장 일꾼 조 둘린을 따라갑니다. 이러한 변화는 그의 염동력 능력, 즉 의지력으로 총을 손에 순간이동시키는 능력에 기인합니다. 벅이 마을 보안관 벤 랜돌프에게 도전하면서 긴장이 고조되고, 그의 능력의 한계와 억제되지 않은 야망의 결과를 드러내는 대결로 절정에 달합니다. 액션과 심리적 탐구의 혼합을 통해, 이 이야기는 용기, 두려움, 그리고 진정한 힘의 본질에 대한 질문을 제기하며, 총격전의 판돈이 단순한 속도를 넘어서는 긴장감 넘치는 클라이맥스로 마무리됩니다.
Classics Read in English _ The Draw by Jerome Bixby
Jerome Bixby's "The Draw" is a short story that blends Western fiction elements with science fiction touches, presumably written during the mid-20th century. Set against the backdrop of the American West, the narrative explores themes of power, skill, and the implications of newfound abilities. The story examines the life of Buck Tarrant, a young self-proclaimed gunman, and his quest to become the fastest gun in the West, along with his discovery of a unique ability to telekinetically summon his gun to his hand.
The plot follows Joe Doolin, a ranch hand who witnesses Buck's transformation from an awkward kid to an incredibly fast gunman seemingly overnight?a change attributed to his telekinetic ability to will his gun into his hand through sheer mental power. As Buck challenges the town sheriff, Ben Randolph, tension escalates, culminating in a confrontation that reveals the limitations of his power and the consequences of unchecked ambition. Through a combination of action and psychological exploration, the story raises questions about courage, fear, and the nature of true strength, all building to a gripping climax where the stakes of gunfighting extend far beyond mere speed.
Among the contents
Joe Doolin's my name. Cowhand?work for old Farrel over at Lazy F beyond the Pass. Never had much of anything exciting happen to me?just punched cows and lit up on payday?until the day I happened to ride through the Pass on my way to town and saw young Buck Tarrant's draw.
Now, Buck'd always been a damn good shot. Once he got his gun in his hand he could put a bullet right where he wanted it up to twenty paces, and within an inch of his aim up to a hundred feet. But Lord God, he couldn't draw to save his life?I'd seen him a couple of times before in the Pass, trying to. He'd face a tree and go into a crouch, and I'd know he was pretending the tree was Billy the Kid or somebody, and then he'd slap leather?and his clumsy hand would wallop his gunbutt, he'd yank like hell, his old Peacemaker would come staggering out of his holster like a bear in heat, and finally he'd line on his target and plug it dead center.
