← The Adventures of Ferdinand Count Fathom — Complete

The Adventures of Ferdinand Count Fathom — Complete — Page 6

English → Spanish Preface Level 8/10

This individuality—the peculiar spirit of the author which can be felt rather than described—is present in the dedication of Fathom to Doctor ———, who is no other than Smollett himself, and a candid revelation of his character, by the way, this dedication contains.

Esta individualidad —el espíritu peculiar del autor que puede sentirse más que describirse— está presente en la dedicatoria de Fathom al Doctor ———, que no es otro que el propio Smollett, y una franca revelación de su carácter, por cierto, contiene esta dedicatoria.

It is present, too, in the opening chapters, which show, likewise, in the picture of Fathom's mother, something of the author's peculiar "talent for invention."

Está presente también en los capítulos iniciales, que muestran, asimismo, en el retrato de la madre de Fathom, algo del peculiar «talento para la invención» del autor.

Subsequently, however, there is no denying that the Smollett invention and the Smollett spirit both flag.

Sin embargo, posteriormente, no se puede negar que tanto la inventiva de Smollett como su espíritu decaen.

And yet, in a way, Fathom displays more invention than any of the author's novels; it is based far less than any other on personal experience.

Y, sin embargo, en cierto modo, Fathom muestra más inventiva que cualquiera de las novelas del autor; se basa mucho menos que ninguna otra en la experiencia personal.

Unfortunately such thorough-going invention was not suited to Smollett's genius.

Desafortunadamente, una invención tan absoluta no se adecuaba al genio de Smollett.

The result is, that while uninteresting as a novel of contemporary manners, Fathom has an interest of its own in that it reveals a new side of its author.

El resultado es que, si bien carece de interés como novela de costumbres contemporáneas, Fathom tiene un interés propio en cuanto que revela una nueva faceta de su autor.

We think of Smollett, generally, as a rambling storyteller, a rational, unromantic man of the world, who fills his pages with his own oddly-metamorphosed acquaintances and experiences.

Pensamos en Smollett, generalmente, como un narrador disperso, un hombre de mundo racional y poco romántico, que llena sus páginas con sus propios conocidos y experiencias extrañamente metamorfoseados.

The Smollett of Count Fathom, on the contrary, is rather a forerunner of the romantic school, who has created a tolerably organic tale of adventure out of his own brain.

El Smollett del Conde Fathom, por el contrario, es más bien un precursor de la escuela romántica, que ha creado un relato de aventuras razonablemente orgánico partiendo únicamente de su propia imaginación.

Though this is notably less readable than the author's earlier works, still the wonder is that when the man is so far "off his beat," he should yet know so well how to meet the strange conditions which confront him.

Aunque esta obra es notablemente menos legible que los trabajos anteriores del autor, lo sorprendente es que cuando el hombre se encuentra tan lejos de «su terreno», sepa aún tan bien cómo hacer frente a las extrañas condiciones que se le presentan.

Vocabulary

Esta
This (feminine singular demonstrative adjective)
individualidad
Individuality; the quality of being individual or unique
el
The (masculine singular definite article)
espíritu
Spirit; the non-physical part of a person or being
peculiar
Peculiar; distinctive or characteristic in an odd way
del
Of the; contraction of de and el
autor
Author; the writer of a literary work
que
That; which; relative pronoun connecting clauses
puede
Can; is able to (third person singular present)
sentirse
To feel oneself; to be felt or experienced
más
More; greater in quantity or degree
describirse
To be described; to describe oneself
está
Is; third person singular present of estar
presente
Present; existing or occurring now
en
In; at; on (preposition of location)
la
The (feminine singular definite article)
dedicatoria
Dedication; inscription dedicating a work to someone
de
Of; from; belonging to (preposition)
al
To the; contraction of a and el
Doctor
Doctor; person with advanced degree or physician
no
Not; negation or denial (adverb)
es
Is; third person singular present of ser
otro
Other; another; different from one mentioned
propio
Own; characteristic; appropriate or suitable
una
A; an (feminine singular indefinite article)
franca
Frank; open and honest in manner
revelación
Revelation; disclosure of something previously hidden
su
His; her; its; your (possessive adjective)
carácter
Character; the distinctive qualities of a person
por
By; through; for (preposition)
cierto
Certain; sure; a matter of fact
contiene
Contains; holds or has within itself
Está
Is; third person singular present of estar
también
Also; too; in addition or as well
los
The (masculine plural definite article)
capítulos
Chapters; divisions of a book or work
iniciales
Initial; beginning or first in order
muestran
Show; display or demonstrate (third person plural)
asimismo
Likewise; in the same way or also
retrato
Portrait; a likeness or depiction of person
madre
Mother; female parent or matriarch
algo
Something; anything; some amount or degree
talento
Talent; natural skill or ability
para
For; in order to; toward (preposition)
invención
Invention; creation of something new and original
Sin
Without; lacking; not having (preposition)
embargo
Embargo; seizure or obstruction (sin embargo: however)
posteriormente
Subsequently; later in time or order
se
Oneself; reflexive pronoun (third person singular)
negar
Deny; refuse or reject something
tanto
So much; as much or such amount
inventiva
Inventiveness; capacity or talent for invention
como
As; like; in the manner of
decaen
Decline; diminish or fall away gradually
sin
Without; lacking; not having (preposition)
modo
Way; manner; mode or method
muestra
Shows; displays or demonstrates (third person singular)
cualquiera
Any; whatever or whichever one chosen
las
The (feminine plural definite article)
novelas
Novels; long fictional narratives in prose
basa
Bases; rests on or is founded
mucho
Much; a large amount or degree
menos
Less; smaller in amount or degree
ninguna
None; not any (feminine singular)
otra
Other; another; different one (feminine)
experiencia
Experience; knowledge from doing or living
personal
Personal; relating to a specific individual
Desafortunadamente
Unfortunately; sadly; in an unlucky manner
tan
So; such; to that degree
absoluta
Absolute; complete and without limitation
adecuaba
Suited; was appropriate or fitting
genio
Genius; exceptional mental ability or talent
El
The (masculine singular definite article)
resultado
Result; consequence or outcome of something
si
If; in case that; whether
bien
Well; in a good manner or properly
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