영어로 읽는 고전 _ 로버트 M. 윌리암스의 언제나 그러하듯
로버트 무어 윌리엄스의 "언제나 그러하듯"은 1950년대 초중반에 쓰인 과학소설입니다. 이 소설은 인류가 외계 행성과 그 거주민들을 정복한 미래를 배경으로 정복, 정체성, 그리고 억압적 체제에 대한 반란이라는 주제를 탐구합니다. 이야기는 스타 고등과학연구소를 졸업하는 학생들이 패배한 원주민들의 유물을 전시한 박물관을 방문하면서 시작됩니다. 이야기의 중심은 반장인 빌리 카스커로, 그는 자신이 출생 시 바뀐 원주민의 정체성을 품고 있다는 사실을 모르고 있습니다. 학급이 교수의 안내 하에 정복당한 문명의 유적을 둘러보는 동안, 그들은 원주민들에 대해 시혜적인 관점을 드러냅니다. 카스커가 그들의 공통된 과거를 밝혀주는 갈색 피부의 원주민과 마주치면서 긴장이 고조됩니다. 이러한 연결을 통해 카스커는 억압받는 원주민들을 해방시키려는 음모에 휘말리게 되고, 결국 순진한 정복자에서 자신의 민족의 운명을 바꾸려는 동맹자로 변모하게 됩니다. 이 소설은 궁극적으로 체계적 억압과 정체성의 복잡성을 비판하며, 반란과 미래에 대한 희망의 강력한 순간으로 절정에 이릅니다.
Classics Read in English _ Be It Ever Thus by Robert Moore Williams
Robert Moore Williams's "Be It Ever Thus" is a science fiction novel written in the early to mid-1950s. Set in a future where humanity has conquered an alien planet and its inhabitants, the book explores themes of conquest, identity, and rebellion against oppressive systems. The narrative begins as a group of graduating students from the Star Institute of Advanced Science visit a museum displaying artifacts of the defeated native population. The story centers on the class president, Billy Kasker, who unknowingly carries within him the identity of a native who was switched at birth. As the class tours the ruins of the conquered civilization under their instructor's guidance, they reveal a patronizing perspective toward the natives. Tension escalates when Kasker encounters a brown-skinned native who reveals their shared past. Through this connection, Kasker becomes entangled in a conspiracy to liberate the oppressed natives, ultimately transforming from a naive conqueror into an ally determined to change his people's destiny. The novel ultimately critiques systematic oppression and the complexities of identity, reaching its climax with a powerful moment of rebellion and hope for the future.
Among the contents
This was Graduation Day. The senior class from the Star Institute of Advanced Science was scheduled to go through the Museum of the Conquered and observe the remnants of the race that had once ruled this planet. There were many such museums maintained for the purpose of allowing the people to see the greatness their ancestors had displayed in conquering this world and also to demonstrate how thorough and how complete that conquest had been. Perhaps the museums had other reasons for existing, but the authorities did not reveal these reasons. Visiting such a museum was part of the exercises of every graduating class.
Billy Kasker arrived early, to take care of all last minute problems for Mr. Phipper, the instructor who would take the group through the museum, and to make certain that all of the members of the graduating class knew what they were supposed to do on the trip.
