延續上周內容,這周進入Nightwood這本書的第二段 La Somnambule (夢遊者),把這段的內容摘要整理在這邊和大家分享。歡迎一起討論、回饋,如果哪裡誤解作者的意思或有不同解讀,都非常歡迎!謝謝大家~!
醫生名叫Matthew,住在巴黎一座教堂附近,是Place咖啡店的常客。這天,醫生帶著Felix去Place咖啡館。Felix深知這名醫生總是胡說八道,但也感覺他像是某個貴族家庭的遺族,再粗俗的舉止都是高貴行為的痕跡。
His fabrications seemed to be the framework of a forgotten but imposing plan; some condition of life of which he was the sole surviving retainer. His manner was that of a servant of a defunct noble family.
這名愛爾蘭裔的醫生說,愛爾蘭人都是騙子,猶太人則愛惹事生非;又說會騙人的才是好醫生(註:因為病人希望得到確切、肯定的答案),負責開藥的護士才是真正理解醫學的人,而瘋狂與愚笨其實是智慧的展現。
醫生又喝了杯酒,說他聽到音樂就覺得自己像新娘,但否認這是因為神經衰弱,因為他才不在乎別人對自己的看法—在醫生眼中,太在乎別人容易導致精神耗弱。
話說到一半,咖啡館的侍者趕來告訴醫生有名女子昏倒了。醫生慢慢起身,要求Felix付酒錢後跟上。他的所作所為都不像標準醫生(反而像是密醫),但Felix依然順從照做了。
他們進到旅館樓上,看見一名年輕女子衣著凌亂地躺在床上,修長美麗的手放在臉的兩側。床的四周布滿了熱帶植物。昏迷的女子彷彿陷入沉睡。Felix到一旁迴避,醫生則試圖潑水喚醒女子。
Felix不自在地看著醫生以為沒人注意,假裝化妝以掩飾他摸走桌上的100法郎。經過一番掙扎,Felix決定替醫生保密。有些人即使自己並非全然欣賞,還是得接納他的缺點,就像牡蠣孕育珍珠那般。
He knew that he would continue to like the doctor, though he was aware that it would be in spite of a long series of convulsions of the spirit, analogous to the displacement in the fluids of the oyster, that must cover its itch with a pearl; so he would have to cover the doctor. He knew at the same time that this stricture of acceptance (by which what we must love is made into what we can love) would eventually be a part of himself, though originally brought on by no will of his own.
女子醒後還是很虛弱,但似乎認得醫生。Felix注意到女子的眼睛湛藍得令人驚艷,神秘得彷彿野獸。Felix直覺感到危險,卻也深深受到吸引,但他的卑微出身讓他早已習慣不能沉浸於情緒。女子用迷人的低沉聲音說,希望他們待她好轉再來見她。醫生從旁人得知女子名叫Robin Vote,隨後兩人就回到咖啡館。
Felix剛才的反應,醫生都看在眼裡。他問Felix是否想過要結婚,Felix說希望妻子是美國人,有個兒子能繼承他對歷史的敬畏。醫生明白表達對貴族的不屑,Felix儘管不喜歡醫生所言,仍感受到他話語後的憂傷。Felix認真地說,只有對過去感到崇敬,才能改變未來。
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
更多閱讀心得,歡迎參考:
【摘要練習】Djuna Barnes, Nightwood: Chapter 1, Bow Down (1)
【摘要練習】Djuna Barnes, Nightwood: Chapter 1, Bow Down (2)
【摘要練習】Djuna Barnes, Nightwood: Chapter 2, La Somnambule (1)
【摘要練習】Djuna Barnes, Nightwood: Chapter 2, La Somnambule (2)
【摘要練習】Djuna Barnes, Nightwood: Chapter 3, Nightwatch
【摘要練習】Djuna Barnes, Nightwood: Chapter 4, The Squatter
【摘要練習】Djuna Barnes, Nightwood: Chapter 5,Watchman, What of the Night 1
【摘要練習】Djuna Barnes, Nightwood: Watchman, What of the Night 2
【摘要練習】Djuna Barnes, Nightwood, Ch.6: "Where the Tree Falls"
【摘要練習】Djuna Barnes, Nightwood, Ch.7: Go Down, Matthew (1)
【摘要練習】Djuna Barnes, Nightwood, Ch.7: Go Down, Matthew (2)
【摘要練習】Djuna Barnes, Nightwood, Ch.7 (3) + Ch.8 The Possessed
《只工作,不上班的自主人生》閱讀心得:把人生當事業,每個人都有自己的藍海
《你說,寮國到底有什麼?》閱讀心得:生命的意義之一,就是尋找意義
更多生活觀察,歡迎參考: