엄지 공주 명구절
Hans Christian Andersen의 Thumbelina({year)에 나오는 유명한 문장 10개를 원문 그대로 소개하고, 각 문장의 의미와 출처를 알려드립니다.
읽는 시간 18분
- 1
There was once a woman who wished very much to have a little child, but she could not obtain her wish.
뜻: A woman longs for a child but cannot fulfill that wish.
Narrator1문단 - 2
She was scarcely half as long as a thumb, and they gave her the name of “Thumbelina,” or Tiny, because she was so small.
뜻: Thumbelina receives her name because of her extraordinarily small size.
Narrator3문단 - 3
A walnut-shell, elegantly polished, served her for a cradle; her bed was formed of blue violet-leaves, with a rose-leaf for a counterpane.
뜻: Ordinary shells and flower petals become furniture suited to Thumbelina’s tiny world.
Narrator3문단 - 4
“Oh! she is ugly,” said all the lady cockchafers, although Tiny was very pretty.
뜻: The cockchafers reject Thumbelina because their narrow idea of beauty excludes anyone unlike themselves.
Narrator and the lady cockchafers11문단
- 5
“Perhaps this was the one who sang to me so sweetly in the summer,” she said; “and how much pleasure it gave me, you dear, pretty bird.”
뜻: Thumbelina remembers the joy birds brought her and feels compassion for the apparently lifeless swallow.
Thumbelina18문단 - 6
Stay in your warm bed; I will take care of you.”
뜻: Thumbelina promises to shelter and nurse the weakened swallow.
Thumbelina20문단 - 7
Then Tiny wept, and said she would not marry the disagreeable mole.
뜻: Thumbelina openly rejects a marriage that would make her unhappy.
Narrator28문단 - 8
Fly now with me, dear little Tiny; you saved my life when I lay frozen in that dark passage.”
뜻: The swallow offers Thumbelina escape in gratitude for her lifesaving kindness.
The swallow33문단 - 9
“Yes, I will go with you,” said Tiny; and she seated herself on the bird’s back, with her feet on his outstretched wings, and tied her girdle to one of his strongest feathers.
뜻: Thumbelina chooses to leave with her trusted friend rather than accept an unwanted marriage.
Thumbelina and Narrator34문단 - 10
Each of them brought Tiny a present; but the best gift was a pair of beautiful wings, which had belonged to a large white fly and they fastened them to Tiny’s shoulders, so that she might fly from flower to flower.
뜻: Her new wings give Thumbelina freedom to move independently among the flowers.
Narrator42문단
이 문장들에 관한 질문
Why is Thumbelina called Thumbelina?
Her name refers to her tiny size: she is described as less than half the length of a thumb. This version also calls her Tiny.
What does Thumbelina’s kindness to the swallow mean?
Her care shows compassion without expecting a reward. Later, the swallow returns that kindness by helping her escape an unwanted marriage and find a happier home.
