영어로 읽는 고전 _ 메러디스 니콜슨의 숙녀 라크스퍼
Meredith Nicholson의 "Lady Larkspur"는 20세기 초(1919년)에 쓰인 소설입니다. 이 이야기는 연극계와 인간 관계의 복잡성을 담고 있으며, 연극의 잃어버린 뮤즈를 찾는 젊은 극작가 Dick Searles를 중심으로 전개됩니다. 그는 Violet Dewing이라는 신비한 여배우와의 갈등을 이야기하면서, 주인공 Bob Singleton이 소개됩니다. 그는 삼촌의 영지에서 조용한 삶을 살면서, 갑자기 삼촌의 과부가 도착하는 것을 걱정합니다. 소설의 서두에서 Searles와 Singleton 사이의 활기찬 대화가 시작되는데, Searles는 갑작스러운 실종으로 낙담한 여배우 Violet Dewing에 대한 깊은 존경심을 표현합니다. 전쟁에서 막 돌아온 Bob은 민간 생활의 압박에 환멸을 느끼고 삼촌의 죽음과 그가 남긴 흥미로운 과부 Alice Bashford에 대해 알게 되는데, 그녀는 이야기의 중심 인물이 됩니다. 밥이 앨리스에 대한 감정을 헤쳐나가는 동안 배경은 오래된 하인들이 밥에게 충성을 다하는 영지로 바뀌며, 상황이 전개되면서 내재된 긴장과 잠재적 갈등을 암시하는데, 특히 앨리스에게 관심이 있는 수수께끼의 방문객과 관련된다. 코미디, 로맨스, 음모가 뒤섞인 무대가 마련되며, 예상치 못한 도전에 직면하여 관계와 열망이 시험받을 수 있음을 암시한다.
Classics Read in English _ Lady Larkspur by Meredith Nicholson
"Lady Larkspur" by Meredith Nicholson is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story captures the theatrical world and the complexities of human relationships centered around a young playwright, Dick Searles, who is in search of a lost muse for his play. As he recounts his struggles with a mysterious actress named Violet Dewing, the narrative introduces Bob Singleton, the protagonist, who embarks on a quieter life at his uncle's estate while grappling with the unexpected arrival of his late uncle's widow. The opening of the novel establishes a lively conversation between Searles and Singleton, where Searles expresses his deep admiration for Violet Dewing, an actress whose sudden disappearance has left him disheartened. Bob, newly returned from the war and disillusioned by the pressures of civilian life, learns of his uncle's passing and the intriguing widow he has left behind, Alice Bashford, who quickly becomes a central figure in the story. As Bob navigates his feelings towards Alice, the setting shifts to the estate where old servants maintain loyalty to Bob, hinting at underlying tensions and potential conflicts as the state of affairs unfolds, particularly concerning a mysterious visitor interested in Alice. The stage is set for a blend of comedy, romance, and intrigue, suggesting that relationships and aspirations may be tested in the face of unexpected challenges.
Among the contents
"It was hard luck," said Searles, "that I should spend a year writing a play for a woman only to find that she had vanished—jumped off the earth into nowhere. This was my highest flight, Singleton, the best writing I ever did, and after the vast pains I took with the thing, the only woman I ever saw who could possibly act it is unavailable; worse than that, absolutely undiscoverable! Nobody knows I have this script; I've kept quiet about it simply because I'm not going to be forced into accepting a star I don't want. I have a feeling about this play that I never had about my other things. That girl was its inspiration. The public has been so kind to my small offerings that I'm trying to lead 'em on to the best I can do; something a little finer and more imaginative, with a touch of poetry, if you please. And now——"
Meredith Nicholson (1866-1947)은 미국의 작가이자 정치인으로, 인디애나 주 크롤포드빌에서 태어났습니다. 그는 주로 소설과 수필을 집필했으며, 특히 중서부 지역의 삶과 문화를 작품의 주요 소재로 다뤘습니다.
그의 가장 유명한 작품은 1905년에 출간된 "The House of a Thousand Candles"로, 미스터리 소설의 특징을 잘 보여주는 작품입니다. 이 소설은 상업적으로도 큰 성공을 거두어 당시 베스트셀러가 되었습니다.
Nicholson은 작가 활동 외에도 정치 분야에서도 활발히 활동했는데, 1928년에는 민주당 소속으로 인디애나 주 의회 의원으로 선출되었습니다. 또한 1933년부터 1934년까지는 우드로 윌슨 대통령 임기 중 파라과이 주재 미국 대사로 재직했습니다.
그의 작품들은 주로 인디애나 주를 배경으로 하며, 지역의 역사와 문화를 상세히 묘사하는 것이 특징입니다. "The Hoosiers"(1915)와 같은 작품을 통해 인디애나 주의 문학적 전통을 확립하는 데 기여했습니다.
Meredith Nicholson (1866-1947) was an American author and politician born in Crawfordsville, Indiana. He primarily wrote novels and essays, often using the life and culture of the Midwest as the main subject matter in his works.
His most famous work, "The House of a Thousand Candles," published in 1905, exemplifies the characteristics of a mystery novel. This book achieved great commercial success and became a bestseller at the time.
Besides his writing career, Nicholson was also active in politics. In 1928, he was elected as a Democratic member of the Indiana State Legislature. He also served as the U.S. Ambassador to Paraguay from 1933 to 1934 during President Woodrow Wilson's administration.
His works are primarily set in Indiana, and are characterized by detailed descriptions of the region's history and culture. Through works such as "The Hoosiers" (1915), he contributed to establishing Indiana's literary tradition.