영어로 읽는 고전 _ 짐 하먼의 언제나 쿠로노
Jim Harmon의 "Always a Qurono"는 1960년대 초, 특히 갤럭시 매거진에 처음 출간된 공상과학 소설이다. 이야기는 쿠로노라고 알려진 안드로이드 같은 존재들이 거주하는 낯선 행성에 고립된 T. P. 반하트 선장을 따라간다. 이 작품은 성간 모험을 배경으로 권위, 일상, 그리고 실존적 성찰이라는 주제를 탐구한다.
줄거리는 반란을 일으킨 선원들에게 버려진 후 반하트의 경험을 중심으로 전개된다. 그가 기이한 상황에 적응하려고 노력하면서, 엄격한 일상 루틴을 고수하며 지오플랜팅이라는 의식을 수행하는 쿠로노들을 관찰한다. 시간이 지나면서 반하트가 쿠로노들을 지배하려는 시도는 의도치 않은 결과를 낳게 되고, 결국 그가 그들의 의식의 대상이 되는 역할 전환으로 절정에 이른다. 이야기는 반하트가 선원들에게 구조되지만, 쿠로노들이 심어준 루틴에 여전히 젖어 있는 것으로 끝나며, 이는 외계 행성에서의 경험이 그에게 미친 지속적인 영향을 보여준다. 이러한 서사를 통해 하몬은 권력 역학의 복잡성과 환경이 개인의 행동에 미치는 영향을 탐구한다.
Classics Read in English _ Always a Qurono by Jim Harmon
Jim Harmon's "Always a Qurono" is a science fiction story that first appeared in Galaxy Magazine during the early 1960s. The narrative follows Captain T. P. Barnhart, who becomes stranded on an alien world populated by android-like entities called the Qurono. Set against a backdrop of interstellar adventure, the work examines themes of authority, routine, and existential contemplation.
The plot revolves around Barnhart's experiences after being abandoned by his mutinous crew. As he struggles to adapt to his bizarre circumstances, he observes the Qurono, who maintain rigid daily routines and perform a ritual known as geoplancting. Over time, Barnhart's efforts to dominate the Qurono backfire spectacularly, leading to a complete role reversal where he becomes the subject of their rituals. The story ends with Barnhart's rescue by his crew, yet he remains deeply embedded in the routines the Qurono instilled in him, demonstrating the profound and lasting impact of his alien encounter. Through this narrative, Harmon explores the intricate dynamics of power and how our environment shapes who we become.
Among the contents
Barnhart sauntered right into the middle of them. He covertly watched the crew close in around him and he never twitched an eyelash. Officers must never panic, he reminded himself, and manipulated the morning sighting on the nearest sun through the Fitzgerald lens. It was exactly 900:25:30, Galactic Time.
He jotted the reading in, satisfied. The warm breath tickling the back of his neck was unnerving. If he showed fear and grabbed a blaster from the locker he could probably control them, but he was devastingly aware that a captain must never show fear.
"Captain Barnhart," Simmons, the mate, drawled politely, "do you still plan on making the jump at 900 thirty?"
The captain removed his eyeglasses and polished the lenses.
