资源描述:
《The machine stops (1)》由会员上传分享,免费在线阅读,更多相关内容在学术论文-天天文库。
1、1TheMachineStopsbyE.M.ForsterFirstpublishedintheOxfordandCambridgeReviewin1909ITHEAIR-SHIPImagine,ifyoucan,asmallroom,hexagonalinshape,likethecellofabee.Itislightedneitherbywindownorbylamp,yetitisfilledwithasoftradiance.Therearenoaperturesforventilat
2、ion,yettheairisfresh.Therearenomusicalinstruments,andyet,atthemomentthatmymeditationopens,thisroomisthrobbingwithmelodioussounds.Anarmchairisinthecentre,byitssideareading-desk--thatisallthefurniture.Andinthearmchairtheresitsaswaddledlumpofflesh--awom
3、an,aboutfivefeethigh,withafaceaswhiteasafungus.Itistoherthatthelittleroombelongs.Anelectricbellrang.Thewomantouchedaswitchandthemusicwassilent."IsupposeImustseewhoitis",shethought,andsetherchairinmotion.Thechair,likethemusic,wasworkedbymachineryandit
4、rolledhertotheothersideoftheroomwherethebellstillrangimportunately."Whoisit?"shecalled.Hervoicewasirritable,forshehadbeeninterruptedoftensincethemusicbegan.Sheknewseveralthousandpeople,incertaindirectionshumanintercoursehadadvancedenormously.Butwhens
5、helistenedintothereceiver,herwhitefacewrinkledintosmiles,andshesaid:"Verywell.Letustalk,Iwillisolatemyself.Idonotexpectanythingimportantwillhappenforthenextfiveminutes--forIcangiveyoufullyfiveminutes,Kuno.ThenImustdelivermylectureon'Musicduringthe2Au
6、stralianPeriod'."Shetouchedtheisolationknob,sothatnooneelsecouldspeaktoher.Thenshetouchedthelightingapparatus,andthelittleroomwasplungedintodarkness."Bequick!"Shecalled,herirritationreturning."Bequick,Kuno;hereIaminthedarkwastingmytime."Butitwasfully
7、fifteensecondsbeforetheroundplatethatsheheldinherhandsbegantoglow.Afaintbluelightshotacrossit,darkeningtopurple,andpresentlyshecouldseetheimageofherson,wholivedontheothersideoftheearth,andhecouldseeher."Kuno,howslowyouare."Hesmiledgravely."Ireallybel
8、ieveyouenjoydawdling.""Ihavecalledyoubefore,mother,butyouwerealwaysbusyorisolated.Ihavesomethingparticulartosay.""Whatisit,dearestboy?Bequick.Whycouldyounotsenditbypneumaticpost?""BecauseIprefersayingsuchathing.Iwant--""Well?""Iwantyoutocomeandseeme.