<영어로 읽는 고전 _ 나다니엘 호손의 생명의 묘약>
"셉티미우스 펠튼, 또는 생명의 묘약"은 나다니엘 호손(Nathaniel Hawthorne)이 쓴 소설로, 그가 죽은 뒤인 1872년 사후에 처음 출판되었다. 소설은 불멸, 연금술, 지식 추구라는 주제를 다루고 있다.
이 이야기는 미국 공화국 초기에 살고 있는 청년 셉티미우스 펠튼(Septimius Felton)의 주인공을 따라간다. 셉티미우스는 불멸을 약속하는 전설적인 물질인 생명의 묘약을 찾으려는 생각에 집착하게 된다. 이 찾기 어려운 비약을 추구하면서 그는 죽음, 사랑, 존재의 본질에 대한 질문과 씨름하면서 일련의 도덕적, 윤리적 딜레마에 빠지게 된다.
뉴잉글랜드 시골을 배경으로 한 "셉티미우스 펠튼"은 인간 본성의 어두운 측면을 탐구하는 복잡하고 분위기 있는 소설이다. Hawthorne은 확인되지 않은 야망의 결과와 통제할 수 없는 힘을 가지고 노는 것의 위험성을 탐구하고 있다. 소설은 또한 셉티미우스가 연금술 학생으로서의 합리적 추구와 더 깊은 영적 갈망 사이를 탐색하면서 과학과 영성 사이의 긴장을 탐구하는 것으로도 유명하다.
이 책은 독자들에게 인간 영혼의 깊은 곳으로의 생각을 자극하는 여행과 의미와 초월에 대한 고민을 하게 한다.


"Septimius Felton, or The Elixir of Life" is a novel written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, first published posthumously in 1872, after his death. The novel deals with themes of immortality, alchemy, and the pursuit of knowledge.
The story follows the protagonist, Septimius Felton, a young man living in the early days of the American Republic. Septimius becomes obsessed with the idea of finding the Elixir of Life, a legendary substance that promises immortality. In pursuit of this elusive leap, he finds himself caught in a series of moral and ethical dilemmas as he grapples with questions about death, love, and the nature of existence.
Set in rural New England, "Septimius Felton" is a complex, atmospheric novel that explores the dark side of human nature. Hawthorne explores the consequences of unchecked ambition and the dangers of playing with forces beyond one's control. The novel is also notable for exploring the tension between science and spirituality, as Septimius navigates between his rational pursuits as a student of alchemy and his deeper spiritual longings.
This book takes readers on a thought-provoking journey into the depths of the human soul and concerns about meaning and transcendence.

Summary
The existence of this story, posthumously published, was not known to any one but Hawthorne himself, until some time after his death, when the manuscript was found among his papers. The preparation and copying of his Note-Books for the press occupied the most of Mrs. Hawthorne's available time during the interval from 1864 to 1870; but in the latter year, having decided to publish the unfinished romance, she began the task of putting together its loose sheets and deciphering the handwriting, which, towards the close of Hawthorne's life, had grown somewhat obscure and uncertain. Her death occurred while she was thus engaged, and the transcription was completed by her daughters. The book was then issued simultaneously in America and England, in 1871.

Contents
Septimius Felton, or, the Elixir of Life
I. It was a day in early spring
II. This done, the air of the room
III. He read the paper again
IV. I will this moment run up and see
V. But he knew nothing, thought nothing