Approach (English, translated to Japanese)

“His soul had approached that region where dwell the vast hosts of the dead.” James Joyce, DUBLINERS, in the last story, The Dead.

Have you ever approached that region?

Last academic year, my students read that book with me. I asked them, “Have you ever approached that region?” Some students answered yes, some no.

I used to think that I had approached that region. However, perhaps the approach was only dim and scary imagination, like a child afraid to enter an empty house.

I imagined my ancestors were in a shadowy cavern. I had called them because of some undefined unusual circumstance. I called them near because the strange circumstance was so momentous. The circumstance, not limited to me, would require the presence of the ancestors. They assembled.

The place was frightening, but I bravely entered, surprised at my ability to do so. The proceedings always ended there; I did not find out what would happen next.


「彼の精神は　死者の広大な　場所　に近付く」。これは、ジェームスジョ
イスのDUBLINERSの最後の「死者」と題する物語からの引用である。

去年の私のクラスでその本を　学生と一緒に読んだ。 「死者がいる場所に　近づいてことがありますか」。はいと答えた学生と否と答えた学生がいた。

私は私がその領域に近づいたと考えるのが常であった。 ただし、その考えは空の家に入ること恐れている子供のような薄暗く、恐い想像にすぎなかった。

暗い部屋で、私は私の祖先を見た。 私は特別な感覚を抱いた。

私は　恐れおののき立ちつくした。

しかし　私は　その部屋　に　入り、　 びっくりした。