<영어로 읽는 SF 소설 _ 레이 브래드버리의 변신>
“Referent”은 레이 브래드버리(Ray Bradbury)가 쓴 SF 단편 소설로 1948년에 처음 출판되었다.
1997년, 10살 Roby Morrison은 특수 교육을 받는 Orthopedic Island에 살고 있다. 명상 시간 중 하늘에서 별이 떨어지고, 그 안에서 "샌드맨"이라고 불리는 존재가 나온다.
샌드맨은 자신이 순수한 "변신"이 가능하며, 인간의 생각과 이름 짓기에 의해 형태가 바뀐다고 설명하고, Roby의 생각에 의해 샌드맨은 빨간 공으로 변한다.
나중에 Roby는 자신의 어머니로 변한 존재를 만나지만, 이 역시 샌드맨의 변형임을 깨닫믐데…
이 이야기는 현실, 정체성, 인식의 본질에 대해 탐구하며, 인간의 생각이 어떻게 현실을 형성하는지에 대한 철학적 질문을 제기하고 있다.


“Referent” is a science fiction short story written by Ray Bradbury and first published in 1948.
In 1997, 10-year-old Roby Morrison lives on Orthopedic Island, a special education facility. During meditation time, a star falls from the sky, and a being called "Sandman" emerges from it.
The Sandman explains that he is a pure "referent" and that his form changes by the thoughts and naming of humans, and due to Roby's thoughts, the Sandman turns into a red ball.
Later, Roby meets a being who turns into his mother, but realizes that this is also a variation of the Sandman...
The story explores the nature of reality, identity, and perception, raising philosophical questions about how human thoughts shape reality.

Summary
Roby Morrison fidgeted. Walking in the tropical heat he heard the wet thunder of waves on the shore. There was a green silence on Orthopedic Island.
It was the year 1997, but Roby did not care.
All around him was the garden where he prowled, all ten years of him. This was Meditation Hour. Beyond the garden wall, to the north, were the High I.Q. Cubicles where he and the other boys slept in special beds. With morning they popped up like bottle-corks, dashed into showers, gulped food, and were sucked down vacuum-tubes half across the island to Semantics School.

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Referent