영어로 읽는 고전 _ 짐 하먼의 거꾸로 된 선장
Jim Harmon의 "The Upside-Down Captain"은 1960년대 초 "Worlds of If Science Fiction" 잡지에 처음 실린 공상과학 소설이다. 이 작품은 우주선 "고르곤"에 새로 배정된 승무원 벤 스타벅을 중심으로 한다. 서사는 탐험, 미지의 것, 그리고 종종 기괴한 우주 여행의 역학이라는 주제를 탐구하며, 고위험 환경에서 등장인물들이 직면하는 도전들을 보여준다.
이야기는 숙련된 우주 항해사가 아닌 논문 자료를 수집하려는 민족학자인 스타벅을 따라간다. 그가 "고르곤"에서의 생활에 적응하면서, 그는 승무원들과 그들의 괴팍한 선장 버드셀 사이의 기이한 상호작용을 재빨리 관찰하게 된다. 선장은 새로운 세계를 찾기 위해 설계된 사이버네틱 뇌의 영향으로 점점 더 변덕스러워진다. 스타벅이 선장의 정신 상태가 뇌의 탐험에 대한 강박과 규범으로부터의 일탈로 인해 악화되고 있다는 것을 발견할 때 긴장이 고조된다. 궁극적으로 승무원들은 배의 통제권을 되찾고 지구로 돌아가는 길을 찾기 위해 선장과 맞서야 한다. 이 서사는 유머와 서스펜스를 결합하여 독특한 캐릭터들과 상상력 넘치는 플롯 반전으로 독자들을 사로잡는다.
Classics Read in English _ The Upside-Down Captain by Jim Harmon
Jim Harmon's "The Upside-Down Captain" is a science fiction story that originally appeared in "Worlds of If Science Fiction" magazine in the early 1960s. The work centers on Ben Starbuck, a newly assigned crew member aboard the spaceship "Gorgon." The narrative explores themes of exploration, the unknown, and the often bizarre dynamics of space travel, illustrating the challenges faced by characters in high-stakes environments.
The story follows Starbuck, who is not a seasoned spaceman but an ethnologist seeking to gather material for his thesis. As he acclimates to life on the "Gorgon," he quickly observes the strange interactions between the crew and their eccentric captain, Birdsel, who becomes increasingly erratic under the influence of a cybernetic brain designed to seek out new worlds. Tension escalates when Starbuck discovers that the captain's mental state is deteriorating due to the brain's obsession with exploration and deviation from norms. Ultimately, the crew must confront the captain to regain control of the ship and navigate their path back to Earth. The narrative combines humor and suspense, engaging readers with its unique characters and imaginative plot twists.
Among the contents
"Excuse me, please," Ben Starbuck said, tapping the junior officer on the epaulet.
"Get away from me, scum," the lieutenant said conversationally, his eyes on the clipboard in his hands.
Starbuck rocked back on his heels and set his spacebag down on the loading platform. He angled his head up at the spire of the inter-atmosphere ship, the Gorgon. This was only a sample of what he could expect once he canted into that hull. It would be rough. But he had made up his mind to take it.
All tight little groups, like the crew of a spaceship, always resented the intrusion of a newcomer. The initiations sometimes made it a test to see whether a man would live over them, and the probation period, the time of discipline and deference to old members of the group could be a memorably nasty experience. He didn't have direct knowledge of such customs in the rather shadowy, enigmatic Space Service, but it was basic sociology.
