영어로 읽는 고전 _ 조지 깁스의 마드모아젤을 찾아서
조지 깁스의 『마드모아젤을 찾아서(In Search of Mademoiselle)』는 20세기 초에 쓰인 역사 소설이다. 플로리다에서 벌어진 프랑스와 스페인의 식민지 분쟁을 배경으로, 무뚝뚝한 뱃사람 시드니 킬리그루(Sydney Killigrew)가 모험과 배신, 그리고 로맨스로 가득한 세계에 휘말리는 이야기를 그린다. 격동의 시대를 헤쳐 나가는 주인공의 여정을 통해 작품은 사랑과 충성심, 그리고 식민지 생활의 가혹한 현실이라는 주제를 탐구한다.
소설의 도입부에서 시드니 킬리그루는 영국 해군의 쇠퇴로 인해 바다에서 품었던 야망이 좌절되자 방황하는 모습으로 등장한다. 그러던 중 옛 동료인 데이비드 후퍼(David Hooper) 선장과 재회하게 되고, 후퍼는 그에게 '그레이트 그리핀(Great Griffin)' 호에 승선하여 새로운 모험에 나설 기회를 제안한다. 항해가 이어지는 가운데, 일행은 스페인 갈레온선과 치열한 전투를 벌이게 되고, 그 결과 스페인 지휘관 돈 디에고 데 바산(Don Diego de Baçan)을 포로로 잡는 한편, 고귀한 신분의 마드모아젤 디안 드 라 노트(Diane de la Notte)와 극적으로 마주하게 된다. 이 사건은 앞으로 펼쳐질 인물들 간의 라이벌 관계와 얽히고설킨 로맨스의 무대를 마련하며, 킬리그루가 겪게 될 변화의 여정과 그가 만나는 사람들을 지켜내려는 분투의 출발점이 된다.
Classics Read in English _ In Search of Mademoiselle by George Gibbs
In Search of Mademoiselle by George Gibbs is an early twentieth-century historical novel set against the backdrop of the French and Spanish colonial struggles in Florida. The story centers on Sydney Killigrew, a gruff, plain-spoken sailor who finds himself swept into a world of adventure, betrayal, and romance. Against the turbulence of the era, the novel digs into questions of love, loyalty, and the brutal realities of life in the colonies.
When the story opens, Killigrew is rudderless—his hopes of a naval career dashed by the decline of the English fleet. His path forward arrives in the form of Captain David Hooper, an old comrade who offers him a berth aboard the Great Griffin and a shot at adventure on the open sea. The voyage soon turns violent: the crew clashes with a Spanish galleon in a fierce sea battle, taking its commander, Don Diego de Baçan, prisoner—and bringing Killigrew face to face with the noble Mademoiselle Diane de la Notte in a charged, fateful encounter. From here, the stage is set for the rivalries and tangled romances to come, as Killigrew is transformed by what he experiences and driven to protect those whose lives become bound to his own.
Among the contents
It has ever been my notion that apology is designed to conceal a purpose rather than to express it; that excuse is not contrition but only self-esteem. Therefore it seems ill-fitting to begin my narration thus, especially as there are many Spaniards who will say that I lie in all that I have written. But this will matter little to me, for I have had good confirmation in the writings of their own priests and chroniclers. Before many years are gone, I will rest peaceful in the churchyard at Tavistock and the ranting of any person, of whatever creed will avail little to disturb my bones. I shall die believing in God Almighty; that is enough for me.
These blind fanatics think themselves privileged to commit any crime in His name. They speak of God as though they owned Him; as though none other were in a position even to think of Him with any understanding. But indeed there is little to choose between the madmen of any races. Twenty years have barely passed since Thomas Cobham sewed eight and forty Spaniards in their own mainsail and cast them overboard. Not long agone certain English soldiers in Mexico filled a Jesuit priest with gunpowder, blowing him to pieces.
