Commentary
on 7 chapter of Atonement from Yana D.:
In the style of Nicholas Revett – Nicholas Revett (1720-1804) was a
British amateur architect and artist. He is known to be the first who
documented the ruins of ancient Athens.
He also designed Henry Dawkins’ house (now placed in Trafalgar
Park) and the home of Sir Francis
Dashwood (now placed in West
Wycombe Park)
in the manner of Greek buildings. The design of these houses commenced the
British Greek Revivalist movement in the architecture.
A projecting bank – is a bank of a river that projects; “выступающий берег”.
Domed roof – is a roof in the form of dome.
Georgian windows – are large multi-pane windows with typically
5 fenestrations arranged either vertical or horizontal and with an arched of
flat pediments. The frame usually has white colour. These windows are typical
for Georgian architecture (approximately 1720-1840).
Adam house – is a house built approximately in XV century
in Angers, France. The house got his name
because of the biblical scene of Adam and Eve near the Tree of the knowledge of
good and evil painted on the corner of the house.
Pediment – is an architectural term; it is a decoration
shaped like a triangle built over the top of a roof, window etc.
Gluttony – is one of the seven mortal sins; excess in
eating.
Avarice – is one of the seven deadly sins; extreme
greed for wealth or material gain.
Uncooperativeness – is a lack of desire to help others or do
what they ask.
Berlin Olympics –
is a summer Olympic Games that was held in Berlin in 1936.
Waterloo Station – is
a central London
terminus and station.
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ОтветитьУдалитьThank you, Yana. The lack of response is a bit distressing, no?
ОтветитьУдалитьDespite the fact that I do not clearly realize what I should write here, because Yana already mentioned all complicated points connected with translation, I would note some points connected with composition and psychological picture of this chapter.
ОтветитьУдалитьFirst of all, It seems really interesting how the island temple is described. It isan important locus as the fountain which was described earlier. A lot of close aatention is paid to this place, which makes me think that it is an important place not only for Briony but also for the plot itself. Perhaps this spot will be the place of action further, so It is important to keep It in mind.
The second thing which attracted my attention is the description of Briony's inner world, which is as close as in the first chapter of the novel. However now Briony is pretty much disapointed in her creative work, so she imagines a different future for hersefl. Not less succesfull and bright, but different. She imagines herself as a runner, champion of the Olympic games in Berlin. So we can conclude that fame and success (and, of course, attention and ability to enter high society) are extremely important to her.
Yana, thank you very much for this wide explanation of the most significant phrases.
ОтветитьУдалитьBut I also have some problems with the comprehension of the following sentence:
"Flaying the nettles was becoming a self-purification, and it was childhood she SET ABOUT now, having no further need for it".
This phrasal verb "to set about" initially means "to start". So, if I take it right, Briony wants to abandon her childhood and this doesn't somehow correlate with the verb's meaning.
So, I don't quite understand how to translate it.
Yana, thank you for explanation about Adam house. It is stumped me a lot when I've read the text.
ОтветитьУдалитьFor me it was really interesting to recognize the changing in Briony's character. "Flaying the nettles was becoming a self-purification, and it was childhood she set about now, having no further need for it" - after that phrase I understood that it was a "break" in Briony, but the next situation when she imagine how newspapers will write about her and how greatly she will fence - it is full of childness! But it is not so.
There is a break. This phrase in the end ("In front of her, illuminated by the lowering sun, was a cloud of insects, each one bobbing randomly, as though fixed on an invisible elastic string—a mysterious courtship dance, or sheer insect exuberance that defied her to find a meaning") shows us a completely different words and even ideology in Briony. (For me it is not the author's remark, it is Briony's thoughts in that moment). These new phrases (courtship dance, sheer insect exuberance) push Briony somehow to an "exit from the childhood". This theme (connected, as for me, more with sex) shows that Briony is over the childhood. The addition ("that defied her to find a meaning") shows that she is going to start an adult life and she is not sure completely, what it is about. But she feels it somehow. For me it is very big break in her character.
Hope, you will understand my language and my stream of consciousness.
Just a little contribution to the discussion, namely to the "set about" problem:
ОтветитьУдалитьone of the translations I've found runs "напасть; начать драку (с кем-л.)" (Muller's Dictionary); I think this variant fits the context, does it?
Liza, thank you, I think it does.
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