Part 1:
I personally prefer Matthew Ward's translation over Gilbert's. I believe Ward's version has more literary value because it takes an unbiased approach to it, the language is more relatable, and the structure reflects more of the character's behaviors. Gilbert tries to relate the reader more closely with the story by using American details such as miles instead of kilometers and mother instead of maman. Part of reading a foreign novel is understand and learning about that culture and seeing it from their point of view. Ward creates a contemporary and simplistic feel of the novel. Gilbert uses more formal language like "two days' leave" and "well before nightfall" whereas Ward would keep the reader closer with simpler descriptions such as "two days off" and "afternoon". Like the previous argument about the word choice, Ward uses simple sentences as opposed to colons and semicolons. This reflects better with the thought process of Mersault and flows easier rather than pausing at the colons.
Part 2:
The Unconnected is a more appropriate title for this book because Mersault is definitely a part of the culture and within the social implications, but he lacks involvement and interaction. He's distanced from his family, doesn't care for his occupation very much, and feebly attempts to converse with his neighbors. An example of him being disconnected from his mother arises where Mersault talks with Monsieur Perez for the first time and discover so much about how she spent her days and what was on her mind. The bond of a mother and child are not easily broken but can be tarnish over time.
No comments:
Post a Comment