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串聯每部電影和每段感情的時空背景

自己寫作,自己出版

台灣第一本以自出版介紹「如何自出版」,看看三家電子書平台主管怎麼推薦

點入購買《卡麥蓉的錯誤教育指南》

一部拉子成長小說的啟發,從讀者、觀眾到意外的ex-gay專題研究

活著,就要繼續寫下去

希望保持一年一書的進度

2005/04/03

Fingersmith 5 : Final Choice

最後抉擇

愛妳愛到傷害妳
Maud內心的翻騰是這一段最大的戲劇動力.Maud最期望自由與愛情兩全,但Sue只能在榮譽(金錢)與愛情擇一.由於Sue的退卻,Maud只能擇自由而捨愛情.在原著,Maud卻有獨特的邏輯去合理化這個抉擇:"And so you see it is love--not scorn, not malice; only love--that makes me harm her, in the end."(P.302)

為什麼把Sue關到瘋人院會是因為愛?這是Virago討論版上的頭號謎題.在這句話的前文,Maud推論,如果她退出Richard的計劃,Sue就會和Richard打道回府,留下Maud一個人守在Briar,沒有錢、沒有倫敦、沒有自由,最重要的,沒有Sue.這段話該怎麼解釋?
    1)她在Briar不能沒有Sue =>如果Sue留下,她可能願意留在Briar 2)Sue被關在瘋人院,不算是失去Sue;Sue回到倫敦,才算是失去 =>瘋人院是禁閉空間,她可以回去看望Sue 3)Sue離開她,算是失去Sue;她離開Sue,就不算是失去 =>近似Maud折磨Agnes的心態,見不得別人有自己想要,卻得不到的一切.
一開始我認為,如果那稱之為愛,也是Maud這一段期間還不成熟的自私之愛.越到後面,Maud早就知道Sue在計劃中的角色,在她可以痛恨Sue背叛的時刻,Maud對Sue的愛都超越了恨,我想就算Maud是被關進去,她的愛意不儘然會消褪.只是在這個段落中,她沈陷在Richard的計劃中,完全棄守就範,失去愛的行動力.

未婚妻的漫長等待
Sue推以天氣漸熱為由,迴避了夜夜同寢的尷尬.她儘可能迴避所有眼神和肢體的接觸,只因為她對拯救Maud完全無能為力.Maud經過Sue的打擊,完全槁木死灰,她像靈魂即將抽離的肉體,對周遭更為漠然:"I think of the ghost I shall make: a neat, monotonous ghost, walking for ever on soft-soled feet, through a broken house, to the pattern of ancient carpets."(P.304)

Maud自此之後的行為都是跳躍式的記憶,很少活在當下 "I am more aware of her hands than of the objects she takes up; feel the stir of her breath, see the movement of her lip, but her words slip from my memory the moment she has said them."(P.304)很多事情只見於Sue的自述,不見於Maud的記憶中.

在私奔前夕,日常活動一切照舊,還是協助舅父整理目錄.她回來時簡直是忍到最後極限,頭痛欲裂.這時Sue做了一件歎為觀止的動作.她用手巾沾紅酒,按摩Maud的太陽穴舒緩頭痛.這就是Sue的邏輯,沒有辦法做實質有建設性的事,只是做些小惠的心理補償.

臨到出發前,Sue的瞻前顧後再度發作,她還在猶豫行李是否打包妥當,又再回去重新整理,結果行李意外扯破,只好趕快再縫過.就在這個時候,Maud突然不告而別,摸黑潛到舅父的房間,拿走他的剃刀.在電視版,則改成Sue是回房拿Maud的手套紀念時,Maud才離開.其實原著中,行李扯破是很好的catch,因為Maud接下來拿剃刀憤怒地割破大部份的藏書,如果能出現在電視,會是很好的平行剪輯.

  • 原著中,行李在Lant Street再度被Jhon用刀割破,令Maud心驚.這種突然的意外行為,是文學和電影常用的手法.我記得以前看瑞典大導演柏格曼的<處女之泉>(*柏格曼電影介紹),溫文的女孩拿出食物給幾位猥漢,本來是張力中的平靜,突然食物中跳出一隻蛤蟆,像暴力的catch,他們接著強暴了女孩....

電視版,Maud割書的段落只是發怒,原著卻透露又愛又恨的詭異心理,連割書都要有合理的原因:"I am almost afraid the book will shriek, and so discover me. But it does not shriek. Rather, it sighs, as if in longing for its own laceration; and when I hear that, my cuts becomes swifter and more true."(P.306)*這裡的書像極了哈利波特學校圖書館中淒厲的禁書.

  • 之前曾說,舅父收集有價值的二手書,就像Mrs Suksby收養別人的棄嬰一樣.Maud在反抗時,會攻擊對方的弱點,例如她割破舅父心愛的藏書,導致他最後中風不治;她在Lant Street抱取一個嬰兒,脅以摔死以求去,但不幸碰到一位冷酷更甚的高手.

午夜狂奔
Sue在每一個逃脫的過程中都特別有神采,特別是她逃出瘋人院到達倫敦時,更是達到最高峰.她逃出Briar與逃出瘋人院的手法幾乎同出一轍,其實也呼應著二個不同的空間,對女性自由同樣的桍桎.

電視版的逃脫的過程有點單薄,但在原著有二段非常浪漫的神來之筆.有一段是Sue先預備牛油,順利開啟Briar的門閂,她得意地向Maud眨眼 "Then I gave her a wink. It was the satisfaction of the job."(P.159),連一直疏離狀態的Maud都被煞到 "She catches my eye and winks, like a boy. My heart aches in my breast."(P.307),可見這時候的Sue是多麼有吸引力.

另一段是快到河邊,抬頭仰望滿天星斗,成功逃脫帶來的興奮感,倆人竟拋開芥蒂牽起手來 "She was holding her cloak about her face, but when she saw me turn to her she reached and took my hand. She took it, not to be led by me, not to be comforted; only to hold it, because it was mine."(P.160).如果牽手的時間可以再久一點,或許倆人會情不自禁擁吻...

不過小船出現 "The dark boat of my dreams. I watch it come, feel Sue's hand turn in mine; then step from her, take the rope he casts..."(P.307),Maud可能怕被Richard看到,而放開Sue的手.Sue的反應很有趣"...but it was not me who stepped forward first, it was her."(P.160),怎麼Maud搶著去接船纜?不過,在電視版,船纜丟上來時,Maud居然閃身沒有立刻接住.

那是一段安靜,走向地獄的行程:"No-one speaks. No-one moves, save Richard as he rows. We glide, softly, in silence, into our dark and separate hells."(P.308)

失憶與記憶的婚禮
Maud對接下來的事幾乎完全恍惚,在婚禮上被迫脫去手套,戴上戒指,完全就範...相對於Maud有意無意地失去記憶,Sue則是巨細靡遺地描述,彷彿紀錄每一個微小的細節,就可以把時間留得再慢一點.Sue要求Gentleman給Maud一束捧花,剛開始他不置可否,終於Maud開口了:"I should like a flower, Richard. I should like a flower. And Sue must have a flower, too."(P.164)

  • 我突然想起同是英國出品的<Crying Game 亂世浮生>.神秘莫測的女(男)主角,決定「獻身」男主角前,在酒吧共飲特別的酒,只見鏡頭移到中年酒保的表情,他默默點首示意彷彿為他們證婚.不知Maud要倆人一齊捧花時,是否有偷渡共同成婚的意圖?

新婚之夜
Sue為Maud更衣準備時,Maud在地獄門前最後掙扎,突然想買通Sue"Never mind what he does. If I call out to you, say you'll come. I'll give you money for it."(P.168).這不失為一著險棋,可惜發生得太晚,來不及讓事情發酵.Maud只好絕望地豁出去,發狂地對Sue強攻.

在電視版,Maud全身赤裸,二次要求Sue直視(原著,Sue從那一夜次日即不敢正視Maud).Sue淚留滿面,接受Maud的第一個吻.後來Maud強抓Sue的手,先是放在自己的胸口,接著往下拉…. 電視版更甚原著,Maud還把Sue推向床鋪,吸吮Sue的手指,壓制在床上…(簡直就是強暴).有人覺得電視版似嫌過火,但從Maud接下來二種不同的對白,可以理解電視版詮釋的方式.

在原著,Maud充滿著悔恨,寧願沒有加入這個計劃:"You went, before. You said I dreamed you. I'm not dreaming now. I wish I were! God knows, God knows, I wish I were dreaming, and might wake up and be at Briar again!"(P.169).電視版,Maud的舉動反而是對Sue的怯懦洩憤You did it before for the sake of tonight...We weren't dreaming, were we?

電視版此時還自行加入一段:明明白白顯示Gentleman知情偷窺.在原著,被Maud嚇壞的Sue則是聽到Gentleman的動靜:"I heard him slow his step, then hesitate at the door. Perhaps he was wondering if he should knock, as he had used to knock at Briar."(P.170)

在原著,這一段提供不少Gentleman是同志的線索,例如在進房前,對Sue拿著Maud的內衣感到不自在"It was him that had taught me the handling of a petticoat but now, seeing me take out Maud's shimmies and stockings, he seemed almost afraid."(P.167);

Gentleman進房後,先是故意嚇唬Maud "He raises his hand and grips the head-board above my pillow and shakes it, hard, until the legs of the bed lurch and grind aginst the floor." (P.309),後來坦言"Haven't I already told you, you are safe? If you think I am any gladder than you, to be married--"(P.310)

  • You are safe:在<The Mexican 危險情人>,同志殺手(James Gandolfini飾,影集黑道家族)在綁架Samantha(茱莉亞羅伯茲飾)時,同樣說過這一句,在這裡並列,有異曲同工之妙.

Richard用刀割出傷口,製造新婚之夜的證據,努力擠出血滴時還問Maud:"Do you suppose that enugh?"(P.311)Maud才起疑他不是對Agnes下手,應該有經驗...Richard辯白說是用另一種方法,其實他是不近女色.

Gentleman不久坐在椅子上睡著,Maud在半夜開始在意一牆之外的Sue怎麼都不聞不問:"I put back my head and gaze at the wall behind me. Beyond it lies Sue. If she turned in her bed, if she said my name, I think I would hear it. She might make any sound, any at all--I would catch it, I am certain I would. She makes no sound."(P.313)

Sue的不聞不問是一種逃避,逃避自己的無能為力:"I lay, in the darkness, in my cloak and my gown, my head between the pillow and the mattress; and all I heard, each time I woke in the night, was the creeping, creeping of little creatures through the straw beneath my cheek."(P.170)

倆人都受不了折磨,想要快速了結痛苦:
    Sue:"Better, I thought drearily, to make it happen soon."(P.171) Maud:"I do. I will do anything, now, to bring an end to our long wait."(P.314)

Sue開始對老闆娘講些女主人腦筋不太正常的影射.Maud則表演日漸消沈,萎靡不振.Sue以為她的萎靡不振是想藉此避開Richard的需索,她對Maud失身於Gentleman妒恨交加:"I should have said he needed to do it to her only the once. I should have thought he might have been frightened he shuld get her with child. But there were other things I thought he might like her to do, now he had learned how smooth her hands were, how soft her bosom was, how warm and glib her mouth."(P.175)

Maud不吃不喝,簡檢的Sue便幫忙收拾菜尾.Maud唯一有元氣的娛樂就是幫Sue換上華服,其實這些都是Maud一定要執行的功課,只不過電視版加入Maud的依依不捨.Maud為Sue換上最好的衣服,還幫她別上心型別針,只見Maud的雙手猶豫在Sue起伏的胸口...接著聽到醫生的座車到來,Sue反射式撥開Maud的雙手,Maud不好意思地退後...

庸醫會診
醫生早被Gentleman洗腦,他們的會診不過是強化先入為主的印象.一開始,Maud聽到醫生的聲音,但聽不到Sue談話的內容:"I hear their voices--low, monotonous--but not their words. Sue's voice I do not hear at all."(P.316).

Sue不論說什麼都不過是醫生眼中的病徵.Sue最後表達了如何處置Maud的期望:"'I wish you would keep her, sir, and watch her,' I said in a rush. 'I wish you would keep her some place where no-one could touch her, or hurt her--"(P.179)這一句話從Sue的口中說出,真是情何以堪.

接著醫生轉與Maud談話,Sue透過薄得像紙一樣的牆:"But those walls were like paper: I heard them move about, caught the rumble of the doctor's questions; then, after a minute or so, came the thin rising and falling of her tears."(P.179)

電視版,Maud的哭泣純粹是配合Richard的演出,但在原著,卻是個意外之舉.因為Richard在描述Sue(Maud Rivers)發病的原因,除了附合醫生"the over-exposure of girls to literature"之女子大學無用論之外,竟順勢故意揭發二女性事 "You did nothing to invite or encourage the gross attentions my wife, in her madness, attempted to force on you--"(P.319)

Maud開始哭泣,並不是因為Sue已背叛她,而是她憶起與Sue溫存的一切:"I think of Sue. I think of her, not as she must be now, in the room beyond the wall--satisfied to have betrayed me, glad to suppose herself about to return at last to her home, the dark thieves' den, in London. I think of her holding herself above me, her hair let down, You pearl..."(P.319)

  • 同樣是薄得像紙一樣的牆,此處的牆再薄都是種障礙,但在華卓斯基兄弟( Wachowski)的<Bound驚世狂花>卻阻擋不了二位女主角堅定的同盟關係.

不忍分離
要啟程的那一天,倆人各自收藏紀念品:Sue偷藏Maud的手套至衣服的內裡;Maud則收藏著頂針.Maud看著Sue穿起她最華麗的衣服,美麗的容顏綻放:"She wears my gown of silk--blue silk, against which the white of her wrists and throat is turned to the colour of cream, and the browns of her hair and eyes are made rich. She has grown handsome."(P.321)但電視版詮釋完全不同,只見Maud沒好氣的幫Sue打理衣服,就立刻別過臉.

在原著,上馬車前的那一段路,Maud是極為不捨的緊握著Sue的手臂:"...when I must give it up--give it up, for ever!--I think I hesitate"(P.321)然後Gentleman說了一句:"No time for sentiment." Sue當時還以為是對她說.但電視版,三個人是各自行走上車,Sue走在中央,彷彿富貴逼人的公主新娘.

電視版把依依不捨集中到上車後,倆人坐在一起,互相緊握雙手.在原著,Maud是坐在Richard的旁邊,已經不能與Sue有肢體接觸.二個版本各有優點,原著是一路都在蘊釀不捨,到馬車上愕然而止,最後讓Maud作出最後一擊.電視版,則把前段的Maud壓抑到麻木不仁,到馬車上才緊握雙手,流露最後一絲隱藏不住的感情.我個人是較偏愛電視版抑揚頓挫的節奏.

在馬車停在病院,院方迎接的關鍵時刻,Gentleman對Maud安撫:"Don't be afraid."一直在狀況外的Sue又以為是對她說,最後終於感覺到:"The Gentleman leaned and caught hold of my arm. I thought at first he meant to keep me in my seat; then I understood that he was trying to press me from it."(P.183)她就這樣地被推入莫名的困境中.

Maud原本呆坐如石,在Gentleman的逼迫下,她看著Sue,開口.真正讓Sue痛心疾首是Maud對她喊出:"Oh! My own poor mistress".Sue看到Maud的最後一眼,是她鐵石心腸的面容,此後Sue便懷著這份復仇毅力,竟也支撐她熬過病院的折磨,命運的諷刺,莫過於此.

憤怒的Sue,把最心愛的形容詞"Pearl",來個180度大逆轉:"Hard as a pearl, and the grit that lies inside it"(P.184)這回怎麼變成金玉其外,敗絮其中?有趣的是,這與Mau一路看Sue的相由心生,同樣是見山不是山的層層轉換.

Sue終於明白故事的真正的起承 "You thought her a pigeon. Pigeon, my arse, That bitch knew everything. She had been in on it from the start."(P.184)在原著的第一部到此結束,三分之二的故事才要開始.

原著的第二部由Maud的角度以現在式來述說:從Maud出生在瘋人院的記憶開始.電視版從馬車離開起倒敍.

在原著,"I gaze through the lozenge of glass at the road we have travelled--a winding red road, made cloudy by dust, like a thread of blood escaping from my heart."(P.323)車輪輾過的紅土路,就像心頭上一束血痕,也像撲克牌Two of Hearts上的鞋印痕--Maud自己踩下的印痕--不論接下來Maud是如何請讀者接受她的所作所為:"I am telling you this so that you might appreciate the forces that work upon me, making me what I am."(P.200)但在這一刻,她幾乎不能原諒自己.

2005/03/31

Fingersmith 4

Fingersmith 4) : 三邊牽扯

Gentleman的出現帶來危機也帶來伏筆.對Sue而言,他提供一個觀察機會和刺激,她從誤以為Maud愛他,到確認她不是愛他,而是怕他;最後竟然發現是自己愛上了Maud.對Maud而言,他讓自己了解到渴望Sue的程度有多強烈,強烈到成為Gentleman手上的弱點 - 她擔心自己的暗戀被揭穿恥笑 - 意外成為Gentleman計劃的拉力.三個人在Gentleman的操控下各自演戲,各有盤算.

成果驗收
在原著,Maud送給Sue一套衣服,Sue便被另一位侍女誤認為小姐,但到了Richard來見Maud時,她已受不了,早換掉衣服了.但在電視版,早在好姊妹的那一段日子,我們就看到Maud有送衣服給Sue,所以戲裡Sue的衣著和Maud一直是典雅登對.因此當Richard進入Maud的會客室,Sue背對門口站在窗前,Richard第一眼便錯認,直到Maud稍後從旁出現,她完美的作業成果戲劇化地展現給Richard.

從Richard出現開始,他與Maud的對話一直充滿著Sue(和Mr Lilly)不解的暗語:

Richard: I hope you are proving a good girl for your new mistress.(妳不要再像Lant Street的小賊)
Sue: I hope I am too, sir
Maud: She is a very good girl, She is a very good girl, indeed. (她真的進步很多)
Richard: Of course, she could not help but be good--I should say, no girl could help but be good, Miss Lilly--with you as her example .(妳確實把Sue改造得像完美的替身)
  • Richard習慣眨眼,當他對Sue眨眼時,表面上是告訴Sue他達到某個目標(例如幫Sue寫好推薦函,得到Maud的芳心),但看在第三者,他根本是在嘲諷Sue的狀況外.

有時候你需要別人的提示來認清自己,當Gentleman出現站在Maud的身旁,Sue才恍然大悟Maud的美麗:"And I though then, for the first time, that he had been right. She was handsome, she was very fair and slight--I knew it, seeing her stand beside him with her eyes on his."(P112) 但是她對Maud的愛意仍是茫然而不自覺.

三人分梨
當Maud開始猶豫不決,Richard就像一個積極的,想要儘速達成交易的業務員,對Maud設定計劃進度,他要求繼續上三個星期的繪畫課,要求Maud要表現出愛上Richard而願意私奔.看在Sue的眼裡,Maud自從Richard出現後就沒有胃口,和Sue保持疏離,很神經質地準備繪畫用具....電視版有一場戲,三個人在戶外寫生,Richard一時興起,拿起一個梨子分給三個人共享,沒有什麼對話,大家只是默默地吃著水果.在原著,這一段本來是發生在室內,Sue內心有感而發:"We were thinking of secrets. Real secrets, and snide."(P.117)電視版的詮釋倒是恰如其分. 
  • Maud對手套沾污一直深惡痛覺,但是她對繪畫課時沾到顏料,並沒有激烈的立即反應.除了因為她對顏料或水果漬沒有原發的厭惡之外,還因為她陷在某一種更強烈的思緒中而無法自拔,例如在這一刻是想著計劃,在河邊寫生是著迷於注視熟睡的Sue.

Acting love
Maud感覺壓力沉重,一方面她不喜歡Richard的接近,另一方面她受不了Sue無時無刻注視的眼神,Maud一直在遲疑.Sue發現Maud的異樣:"At night she went fretfully to her bed, and sometimes took more sleeping-drops, and sometimes shivered in her sleep."(P.119) Richard發現了Maud的遲疑,於是提議在戶外寫生.當Sue提著東西在後面努力跟上腳步,Richard便藉靠近Maud的時刻,除了策動之外,就是語出威脅,並且要求Maud安排和Sue說話的機會,以確認Sue那一方完成使命的決心沒有改變.

Maud這時候根本無力在意Sue是來陷害她,Maud的心思完全被慾望所佔據,她只能想著如何努力地去壓抑,而且不要被Richard發現.她光是看著Sue背負畫具的凌亂,便不能自己:"She is flushed from the weight of the bags. Her cloak still bellow, her hair still whips, and I want more than anything to draw her to me, to touch and tidy her. I think I begin to, I think I half-reach for her; then I become conscious of Richard and his shrewd, considering gaze. I cross my arms before me and turn away."(P.285)

Maud一日藉機差使Sue送火給Richard點煙.讓他們交換著其實不太有營養的情報,Richard當時還不知倆人之間的情愫,指派給她的任務目標仍然是:"Watch her hard. Make her love you."(P.121)Sue發現Maud從那天起便天天貼著玻璃看著Richard抽煙漫步,只當作是Maud的發暈.其實每天Maud的內心感受著內外交迫的壓力,她日漸消瘦暗淡.

Sue覺得Maud的異樣越來越嚴重,從來沒看過戀愛中的人有這種反應:"Then at night, she would like stiff and open-eyed, or turn and murmur in her sleep."(p.123)當Sue熟睡後,百般煎熬的Maud在半夜清醒,她不敢這樣睡去,她需去碰觸,去感受具體東西的存在才能有安全感,於是她起身碰觸屋內的擺設,她還想碰觸Sue去確認她的存在:"The I come to Sue. I would like to touch her, to be sure that she is there. I dare not. But I cannot leave her. I lift my hands and move and hold them an inch, just an inch, above her--her hip, her breast, her curling hand, her hair on the pillow, her face, as she sleeps."(P.287)

其實Sue曾看過Maud半夜幾近夢遊的行為"'Are you there?' she said, wen she heard me stirring; and she came back to my side and lay and shook. Sometimes she would reach for me. When her hands came against me, though, she'd draw them away..."(P.145)在電視版的詮釋,將Maud此舉歸於她的情慾,但從原著看來,並不儘然單純,已有點接近神經質的偏執,例如她會一遍一遍的整理畫具,或是之後在新婚之夜,同樣半夜起身碰觸陌生的牆面和自己的鞋子.

河邊寫生
這是一個重要的關鍵,讓Richard拿到不敗的保證.原本只是河邊的寫生,Sue因為天氣太熱,倦怠了守護之眼而睡著了.一夢之間,劇情直轉急下.Richard本來在旁邊發牢騷,Maud拿著筆,竟一動也不動地注視著Sue.電視版的鏡頭凝視著Sue的胸部,Sue的雙手.Maud空舉的畫筆滴落紅色顏料(原著是ink),垂涎在畫紙上,和她的圍裙.突然,Richard完全看透她的心思 "Oh, Maud," he says. That is all he says, But in his face I see, at last, how much I want her."(P.289)

  • Ink常常與性慾相關.書房中異色的圖書都是黑色打印的文字;舅父愛書甚至衍生到口慾;Maud形容與Sue初次的悸動:"I am wet, I am running, like water, like ink.";在結尾,Maud寫情色小說,額頭手上都是黑印(P.298)電視版則偏愛紅色的視覺效果,落在Maud圍裙上的紅印,與新婚之夜時,Richard故意割傷的血滴,同樣都在渲染情慾.

Richard把Maud拉到遠處,先是確認他了解她的性傾向,但同時也暗示自己不同的驅動力:"...the sports to which gentlemen's appetites are said to be pricked, by matters like this. Thank heavens I'm not a gentleman so much as a rogue: we go by different codes."(P.290)
  • 這裡是第一次明顯地線索顯示Gentleman是gay.多數人一直到Charles哭哭啼啼尋求Richard時才恍然大悟.其實在一開頭,Sue就曾經淡淡地提到:"Nancy or not, he(Gentleman) could certainly make a lady blush."(P.22)Nancy指的是娘娘腔的男子

除了嘲諷Maud看了太多不切實際的女女情事,Richard再三提醒她對Sue的敵我意識:"Have you forgotten what she has come to you for? Do you think she has forgotten? Do you suppose yourself anything to her, but that?You have been too long among your uncle's books. Girls love easily, there. That is the point of them. If they loved so in life, the books would not have to be written."(P.291)最致命的威脅是要把Maud的暗戀告知Sue.電視版的Maud回頭聽見Sue的呼叫,因為自尊,Maud拱手就範.Richard得了便宜還賣乖,表演情人熱戀之餘,還揶揄她 "Imagine my mouth hers."(P.292)

為了戲劇效果,通常電視版會有詮釋過火的傾向,但是這一段倒是壓抑地恰到好處,在Maud的版本,雖然是白天景致,但配樂宛如半夜惡靈出現.在原著,Sue看到的畫面幾近猥褻"Her skirt rose even higher, and showed the tops of her stockings, the white of her thigh."(P.125)Sue認為這原本是她該期待的結果,卻陌名地令她五味雜陳.

雷雨中墓園說婚事
同一件事情的不同觀點,通常電視版是用不同的影像時間來表現,例如在河邊寫生,第一集只見Sue醒來看見Maud和Richard的相偎,第二集才看見Sue熟睡時發生的掙扎妥協.這一段雷雨中墓園說婚事,用全知觀點來拍攝,全部放在則一集中,二個人不同的心情寫照,單以演員及鏡頭走位來處理,劇本緊密(雖然和原著頗有差異)和演技精湛,許多網友都公認這是電視改編比原著傑出的段落.
(一開始雷聲響起,Maud一時驚嚇,抱住了Sue)
Maud:(放開Sue) Mr River has asked me to marry him
Sue: Oh, miss (轉身背對Maud)
Maud: Are you not pleased? Sue?
(Sue在前景,臉色難看;Maud在後,看不到Sue的表情)
Maud: What is it? (Sue轉回面向Maud)

Sue: Surprise (Sue表情勉強)
(Maud一臉等待)
Sue: Please, I'm gladder than anything in the world.
(Sue勉強擠出笑容)

Maud: I'm not happy because I haven't said yes yet (Maud表情轉冷,轉身背對Sue)
Sue: oh....(Sue變得尷尬)
Maud: How can I? My uncle would never agree (Maud在前景,臉色難看;Sue在後,看不到Maud的表情)
(短暫沈默)Maud: Mr River said we may go at the night. (Maud轉回面向Sue,故作輕鬆)Marry in the small church near here.
(Sue拉著Maud的手)
(又一聲雷響,Maud再度驚嚇,抱住了Sue.Maud緊握著Sue的肩頭,嘆了一口氣,閉緊雙眼;Sue則是輕撫著Maud的背.)



別無選擇
在原著中,以上的對話並未告一段落,倆個人一直談論到究竟愛不愛Richard.在原著中,Maud表示疑惑,所以Sue才為戀愛下了診斷:"Don't know? How can you not know a thing like that? Doesn't your blood beat hard when you see him coming? Doesn't his voice thrill in your ear, and his touch set you shaking? Don't you dream of him, at night?" 旁觀者當然了解Maud想得夢得全是Sue,倒是Sue終於發現Maud拼命想擦掉手心被吻的動作,第一次察覺到Maud可能不愛他,而是怕他.Sue當下居然向Maud提議不要同意私奔"You might say no".可是Maud接著說了一堆光冕堂皇的理由"Watching him leave? I should wonder over and over again what sort of life I might have." Sue又想起家鄉的期望,搞得Sue只能順著她的意,順著原來的計劃,鼓勵她嫁給Richard.

但在電視版,Maud是直接搖頭表示不愛Richard,但她駁回Sue的提議後,卻又再期待著Sue能有其他回應.感覺上,Maud一直在期待著Sue有更明確的表態,但始終沒有發生.Sue唯一的間接表態"You might say no",根本不在Maud的自述中.倆個人表達感情的方式,只是彼此往相反的方向,越來越遠.

電視版把這一段改放在聯手趕走Richard,和Richard威脅Sue的段落之後,電視版用二個人最後萬念俱灰,決定下嫁Richard的結論,來接續中間的最高潮:Sue的新婚釋疑.

短暫的團結
Richard知道Maud的秘密後,不再以低姿態的追求者出現,對Maud完全予取予求.他甚至會當著Maud的面,故意對著Sue佯說:"...perhaps there's someone else you care for?"(P.138).Maud對他的百依百順,看在Sue的眼裡,真是情何以堪.一日在Maud的畫室,Richard居然打賞Sue要她退隱到別處,但是一句:"Do you never have a sweetheart of your own?" 惹惱了她,決定堅持不退.在電視版,Sue本來舉手要取 Richard的錢幣,但是她手上正帶著頂針,她看了一眼決定拒絕離開.

這時Maud聯手再讓Richard碰了軟釘子,倖倖然而去.在原著,Sue可能覺得這是一件了不起的功德,所以她記得Maud:"...she moved, in short, across the whole of the room, until she reached my side. She leaned to look at my work and her hair, in its net of velvet, brushed my own."(P.136),多麼動人的交會--可惜在Maud的自述中根本不記得這一段.倆個人對彼此的期待不同,註定沒有溝通的交集,所以再也不會出現像這次聯手趕走Richard的場面,只等著他來挑撥離間,各個擊破.一直等到最後,三個女人意外地同仇敵愾,才除去了Gentleman...

Richard不滿被趕走的挫敗,找機會教訓Sue:"I know her people. I'm one of them. Don't talk to me as if she keeps you at Briar for kindness' sake--nor as if you came out of sweetness of temper! Your heart--as you call it--and hers are alike, after all: they are like mine, like everyone's"(P.140)但真正踩到Sue的痛處,是Richard威脅如果不從,便要讓她提早退出,無顏見江東父老.

瀕臨崩潰邊緣
倆個女孩掙扎著要放棄自己的感情來傷害對方,但越想就是越做不到,出現相同的內心糾葛:

    Sue:"The more I tried to give up thinking of her, the more I said to myself, 'She's nothing to you', the harder I tried to pluck the idea of her out of my heart, the more she stayed there."(P.144)
    Maud:"But the more I think it, the more I want her, the more my desire rises and swells."(P.295)

相較於Maud在河邊寫生時被赤裸裸地將暗戀攤在Richard的眼前,一路在整個計劃中被朦騙的Sue,幸運地把自己的感情隱藏在懵懂中逃過Richard的凌遲.Sue終於自己偷偷意識到感情的宣洩,強烈到穿牆透壁而來:"...and all night I lay with my back turned to her, the blanket over my ears to keep out her sighs. But in the hours in between, when she went to her uncle, I felt her--I felt her, through the walls of the house, like some blind crooks are said to be able to feel gold. It was as if there had come between us, without my knowing, a kind of thread. It pulled me to her, wherever she was. It was like--It's like you love her, I though."(P.144)

Maud最為可憐,她承受更直接的衝擊:"Even my uncle's books are changed to me; and this is worse, this is worst of all. I have supposed them dead. Now the words--like the figures in the walls--start up, are filled with meaning."(P.295)更慘的是,她還要在舅父和Richard之前朗讀,Richard若有似無的嘲笑對她簡直是莫大的折磨.
  • The Walls:雖然Sue表示出現穿牆透壁的牽掛,但並不表示她們的溝通是心有靈犀,因為牆壁一直是她們之間的障礙,Sue初到Briar,Maud就在一牆之外;新婚之夜,倆個人都聽不到對方真實的聲音;等到精神病大夫分別會診,Sue根本聽不清Maud與Gentleman的謊言.但對Maud而言,牆上的東西另有特別的含義,通常可以藉此去感覺「存在」.

新婚釋疑
電視版一開始,Maud在床上看書,瞄向正在更衣的Sue,蘊釀山雨欲來的氣氛.在原著,Sue的體熱循著被單一寸寸漫向Maud,啟動了風浪:"The warmth of her limbs comes inching, inching through the fibres of the bed."(P.296) Maud藉故提問On her wedding night,what must a wife do? 意圖引導Sue一步一步按著小說的內容推進.不同於原著,意圖裝睡的Sue和天真又惱怒的Maud把這一段開場詮釋較為拙趣,倆人對白已成經典:
Maud:I know something from book
Sue:How can you know it from books?
Maud:You're right,I know nothing,nothing,nothing
在原著,還有一段很經典的對話:"...I(Maud)don't think that kisses can start me off. Mr River's kisses never have. Perhaps--perhaps my mouth lacks a certain necesary muscle or nerve--? I(Sue)said, 'For God's sake Miss. Are you a girl, or a surgeon?'"(P.149)

終於,Sue掉落陷阱,決定要對Maud開示(where are your lips),Maud便閉眼微啟雙唇傻等著.但是經驗有限的Sue,自己都很訝異對真正初吻的反應,電視版的Maud主動傾身延續了Sue本要結束的吻,Sue還挑起了「不可思議」的眉毛:Do you feel it?.Maud 的反應更有趣,理性地開始了感想分析:"It's...a curious, wanting thing"

接著,Sue「不得不」取得主導權,假Gentleman之名遂行自己的慾望...原著是在完全漆黑的環境下進行,一直小心翼翼的Sue,可以放開壓抑,全然的反射動作.所以一旦早晨的陽光揭露昨夜的恣意:鬆開的衣襟、吻痕、大腿上的漬痕,所有的瞻前顧後一齊湧現對比,所以她退縮的反彈就越大.在電視版並沒有那份大反差,倆人是在相當清楚理智的情況下開始,Sue在火光下她看著Maud舉起了手,示意褪去手套...原著的肌膚之親有著擦槍走火的意味,電視版則是很明白地呈現倆倩相悅.有時我會感嘆,既然都已改編成這麼直率,為什麼不乾脆讓她們彼此開誠佈公?

Maud是暗地的發動者,她或許對細節半知半解,但肯定預期到最後結果,所以她是欣喜地期待與Sue之間的轉變.她想著只要與Sue逃離Briar就好了(沒有考慮去那裡,怎麼生活),她想著願意為Sue成為一個真正的好女孩.但Sue考慮一旦遠走高飛,就只能倆手空空回Lant Street,而Maud在身旁只會引來嘲笑.她沒有辦法為Maud放棄任務.

    在磨牙時,Maud曾嚐過Sue手指的味道,嚐到的是Maud自己的慾望.Sue嚐到手指上Maud的味道"I put the tip of one finger to my tongue. It taste sharp--like vinegar, like blood. Like money."(P.151),Sue嚐到的是自己的使命.原本這埸性與金錢的騙局本是Gentleman的主場,可是Sue跳進了最前線,變成一個自己都不能原諒的壞人,更羞於向Maud坦白.Sue最後選擇沉默與逃避.

在原著,Maud更衣時看著Sue不斷迴避眼神,決定間接地試探Sue的意願;電視版,Maud還在床上縴戀著幸福感覺:
Maud:No drop (*在原著,其實Maud睡前服了藥)
Sue:No dream (Sue很不自在,一直在迴避眼神)
Maud:Only one. I think you were in in, Sue (Maud輕輕地觸摸Sue的髮梢)
Sue:Me? You'll marry Mr River tonight... I don't think so. (Sue起身離去,自傲的Maud怎麼受得了這種傷害?所有的觀眾都心如刀割.)

電視版,Maud的旁白情緒轉折驚人,"Everything I said to myself was change, she has touched the life of me, the quick of me. But she is shame " 還是柔情似水,到了"She didn't love me. Her feeling was false. " 在最短的時間跌落冰谷.

表面上沒有任何事情被改變,一切仍照計劃進行,該背叛的,該陷害的,完全無法避免.但經過這一夜,有些變數悄然地潛浮在心底,等待時機的攪動.

2005/03/30

Fingersmith 3

Fingersmith 3) : 愛恨情轉

從Sue到達莊園,與Maud開始相處,一直到Gentleman(Richard)再度出現前,這一段日子是她們很重要的感情培養期.二位女主角為何會相戀,通常我們以「日久生情」來解釋.若直言「習慣成自然」,為何Sue沒有愛上身邊其他人?為何Maud沒有愛上Agnes,甚至沒有愛上Richard?二人原來都從傷害對方的動機出發,卻漸漸產生模糊的愛意(明確的心意要到Richard出現時,才對比出來).她們都各自經歷複雜的感情轉換:Sue一直視Maud為「好女孩」,她的感情是從「善意」到「愛意」逐步滲透;Maud則一直認為Sue有著「壞心眼」,她不斷反反覆覆地辯證Sue的行為.「相由心生」最能解釋Maud對Sue的觀感.再加上書本早熟的性啟蒙,她的內心世界波濤洶湧,慾望與憤恨在二邊劇烈拉扯.

第一個夜晚:二個女孩各站在門板的另一頭
Maud像是焦急等待著郵購女侍的到來,鎮日惶惶不安.下午3點派人去接,結果火車誤點.下午5點再接,還是撲空.一直到9點,Maud早已準備要就寢,才從窗戶看到馬車微弱的燈火慢慢靠近.Sue到達時剛好聽到Briar的鐘聲.在進門的剎那,Sue看到上方的小窗,有一閃而過的燭光.那就是Maud,她看到Sue瘦小黑暗的身影.她真的來了,"...she is real. The plot is real",Maud不禁顫抖起來.(電視版是Maud早已睡著,Sue上樓時剛好聽到Maud的惡夢聲.但這種安排就太低估了Maud的心機.)

Sue先在廚房用餐,順便接受新同事的打量.接著女管家開始訓話(電視版把這一段移到次日白天),Sue儘量忍耐"Well, that's servants for you--always grubbing over their own little patch. As if I cared, about candle-end and soap!"(P.63)終於,女管家領她到三樓的房間.如果那是她的囚房,女管家便是獄卒.而隔壁的Maud已經感覺到Sue,就在一牆之外.

Sue有點餓過頭,剛吃下的晚餐讓她反胃.行李箱內並沒有屬於自已的衣物,她只能聞著Dainty針線工留下的味道,一解鄉愁.她從門孔偷看隔壁,只見微弱的光影.她貼近門板傾聽,只聽到自己的心跳(電視版把這一段移到次日白天,但與原意完全不同).不曉得什麼時間,Maud也起床貼近門板傾聽,什麼也聽不到.Sue合衣躺在冰冷的硬床上,一直到12點都不能成眠,因為在Lant Street,誰半夜前就上床睡覺,是會被嘲笑的.Maud知道Sue在另一頭,可是她看不到,這個念頭整夜折磨她,完全沒好睡,有時只好起來走動,盤算著明天要儘早接見她,否則會受不了.

第一印象:外貌不如想像,性格正如傳聞
昨夜還不知緊張的Sue,臨到要見Maud時,開始覺得緊張.其實Maud也很緊張,在意自己站的位置,自己的聲音,門開啟前還吸了口氣.Sue先看到房間的擺設,其中一項是個玻璃罐裡裝著一條死蛇,口中還含著一顆蛋.Sue第一眼覺得Maud沒有Gentleman說得那麼漂亮,不過她的雙唇與臉頰是豐潤的.而Maud幾乎覺得瘦小的Sue長得獐頭鼠目,將來怎麼成為她的替身?

  • 在原著,Sue突然插了一段話:"Her lip and her chek were very plump and smooth--she did lick me there, I will admit, for I liked to bite my own lip, and my cheeks and freckles..."(P.68) 我剛開始誤以為這是Sue的提前暗示(我將承認她舔過吻過我),後來Lang阿朗指正我,lick有beat的意思,Sue指的是Maud的唇頰比她的好看"her lips are better than mine".由此可知作者巧妙運用雙關意義,特別在重看時真令人會心一笑.(本段2006/03/09更新)

Sue想起她的訓練,趕緊行屈膝禮.在電視版,Maud的心裡正想著:「她的品行如同她的屈膝禮一樣卑劣」.在原著,由於Sue先前打量Maud的服裝,Maud接著就從服裝風格問起Sue之前的女主人,Sue倒是講了一段自己很滿意的回答:"...grand clothes meant nothing, since it was the person inside the clothes that ought to be judged."(P.71) Maud記得的版本是:"...that grand clothes weren't worth buttons; but that it was the heart inside them that counts." (P.256) Maud可能有點訝異Sue如此天真的融入自己的謊言,沈默一陣,便拉起Sue的手:"You are a good girl, Susan, I think"
  • Sue的這一段話,如果由第三者說出,是對「第一印象」這段落的反諷,可是由意圖不軌的Sue說出,作者讓反諷的段數又高一級.最絕的是Maud補上"You are a good girl",對倆個人之間的訛詐,有畫龍點睛之妙.

    Maud之後不斷地對Sue說的good girl,有不同的意義,其中一種是與Richard之間的暗號,表示Sue在Maud的改造下,成為替身的完美程度.

接著Sue拿出介紹信交給Maud.Maud邊看邊抖,因為這根本是Richard的照會:
    (電視版內容) "Dear Maud, There is the evil little fingersmith who is going to make us rich. Remember--She has to become you and you her. You have only one month until I return. Burn this letter."
Maud不太放心,於是再測試Sue是否能閱讀,Sue先是硬著頭皮亂唸,最後只好羞愧承認不識字.Maud一邊卸下疑慮,一邊對她的不識字感到訝異,因為在Briar,這種天賦可以令人免於痛苦.

Maud去書房的期間,Sue就在房間裡探險,她最驚訝的發現就是滿滿一櫃,各式各樣的手套,"More gloves than a milliner's" (P.77) 手套是非常重要的象徵,而且與Maud感情發展的模式有關,有一位網友的分析非常精采:

    「手套用於保護,但也是感受與觸覺的障礙.有五種感官可刺激人的性慾:視覺、味覺、聽覺、嗅覺、觸覺.Maud的手套在原著和電視版的象徵意義則略有差異: 電視版,Maud須戴手套以保護藏書,所以當她閱讀、書寫、朗誦時,都是戴著手套.(*也有人解釋電視版的意思,Maud無時無刻戴手套是用以自我隔離書的污穢) 在原著,戴手套是保持雙手如孩童般柔軟,避免傷害藏書.所以當她閱讀、書寫、朗誦時,是不戴手套,只有在其餘的時間戴手套. 單就原著討論,Maud所了解的性事是來自視覺(書及圖畫)和聽覺(朗誦).她未從味覺、嗅覺、觸覺去了解."Is this desire? How queer that I, of all people, should not know! .... It covers me, like skin." (P.293) 這就是作者為什麼要安排「磨鈍尖牙」和完全黑暗中的肌膚之親 "the bed was dark, like a box. I cannot see her, I can only feel her, and tasted her" 這二段都充滿觸覺、嗅覺、味覺.她必須不靠眼睛及耳朵去了解和感覺.所以對於性事,Maud did know nothing.」

初到書房
Sue很快就感到煩悶,巴不得早點去接Maud "For she was the only one, of all of them, to have spared me a pleasant word; and suddenly I longed for the time to pass, not for its own sake, but as it would take me back to her" (P.78) 她一點鐘不到就等在書房門口.進入書房,她覺得藏書簡直多得嚇人(就像Maud的手套).在原著,Maud在書房是不戴手套,所以在離去時就要戴上,但因為手套一直沒戴好,Sue情急想要上前幫忙,因而誤越The Finger的界線,引來Mr Lilly的咆哮.但在電視版,Maud已是戴上手套,所以編劇參考結局的情境,改編成Maud是因不小心勾落桌上的文件,Sue本能的上去撿拾而越線.在結局,Sue為了靠近Maud完全無視界線,Maud再度不小心勾落桌上的文件,不過文件內容不再是不情願的工作,而是對Sue滿滿的情意.電視版書房前後場景剛好是組對照.

接著有一段共進下午茶,Maud把三個雞蛋都推給Sue(Maud有計劃地要把Sue養得福態一點),Sue覺得Maud太挑剔,除了不愛吃蛋,連手套沾列蛋黃漬都受不了.Maud內心則是從頭到尾把Sue的吃相和動作都和小賊連想在一起.在這一刻,Sue就是面容可憎.

Maud問起倫敦的仕女如何打發下午,Sue隨口回答拜訪其他仕女.這讓群育不及格的Maud有點光火(There are no ladies like me),竟期望起Richard將來會陪伴她.(我曾懷疑過,如果Richard不是壞人,Maud會不會愛上他?)

Briar的第一天實在無聊得要把Sue逼瘋.終於到了晚上.Sue在幫Maud更衣時,非常詳細地描述Maud的身體,甚至比喻她柔軟如奶油,白淨得像是會發光,但最後話鋒一轉:"...it was a troubling kind of paleness, and I was glad to cover her up." (P.88) 這恐怕是Sue不自覺地開始迷戀Maud的身體,因為稍後Sue觸到Maud像kid-skin(這個意念不斷地出現)的手居然會顫抖,所以掩蓋不失為解決心虛的方法.

Maud的惡夢
電視版,Maud叫醒了Sue,為了怕再作惡夢,而央求Sue睡在身旁.這一段是我對電視版最不滿意的部份,在原著,Maud作惡夢的內容和原因非常重要.因為夢不被理性所控制,能顯示真我.

Maud的夢一開始時空錯亂,她害怕便本能地呼叫Agnes,Sue趕過來,聽到Maud說有一個男人:"At the door? Don't go, Agnes! I'm afraid he'll harm you!"(P.91) Sue拿走燈去了解情況,Maud仍以為那是Agnes拿走燈 "I think she must do it to punish me."(P.262) Sue開了大門沒看到人,折返床邊看到黑暗中的裙襯箍架,誤以為是Maud母親的鬼魂而尖叫,Maud跟著哭喊別離開我,她心裡想著:"For I have a sense that, if she will only stay, some calamity, some dreadful thing--I do not know it, cannot name it--will be averted; and I--or she--will be saved."(P.262) 這一段太重要了,表面上Maud曾對Agnes的遭遇陌不關心,但她真的意識到那是件邪惡的勾當,如果沒有那一步,她不會一路陷下去.

在Sue的自述,當Maud仍以為身旁是Agnes,便把頭靠在Sue的胸前發抖,Sue輕撫Maud的頭髮,之後Maud才知那是Sue;在Maud的自述,她對Sue的碰觸有特別的感受:"She touches my cheek. She smooths my hair - not like Agnes, after all, but like no-one."(P.262) Sue心裡對她充滿憐惜,而不再是輕視一個無知的女孩,想到Maud未來在瘋人院沒有人照顧,有點補償的感情在內.

Maud則是天人交戰,知道Sue對她的好只是奠基在計劃上,但是"I know it; but cannot feel it as I should"(P.263) 經過一晚好眠,所謂相由心生,Maud對Sue的觀感有了正面的變化:"I lie and remember the night. Some feeling-- shame, or panic--flutters about my heart. I put my hand to the place where she has lian, and feel it cool....She is changed with me. She is surer, kinder." (P.263)

Maud之後持續要求Sue睡在身旁,她解釋動機是:"I oughtn't to do it. I cannot help it. I am too compelled by her idea--her idea of me as a simple girl, abused by circumstance, prone to nightmare."(P.264) 她居然推到是Sue的責任,我後來越來越不相信Maud說詞表面上的意思.另一方面,Sue將這件事視為姊妹情:"We slept, quite like sisters. Quite like sisters, indeed. I always wanted a sister." (P.95) 當同一句話重覆太多次時,你就要懷疑話的真實性.

好姊妹好女孩的日子
Sue像照顧小孩似的照顧Maud,幫她把討厭的雞蛋換成清湯,還幫她修剪指甲,散步時怕她泠,還會挽著她的手.Maud其實也注意到Sue對她的善意,放手讓自己變成無邪的小孩,並且試著去接受這種親密接觸,像Sue第一次挽她的手,Maud居然感到:"It is nothing to her; but I feel the shock of it, like a slap" (P.267) Maud覺得倆人關係不太像是主僕,因為She is too frank, too loose, too free. 有一次Sue為了幫Maud暖腳,居然跪下來,幫她解開鞋子,捧在手上搓揉,末了還低頭呼暖.(可惜電視版沒有這一段.作者在Tipping The Velvet用過同樣的手法,Nan在寒冬的橋上幫Kitty暖手,接下來就是她們的初吻)

但Maud對Sue的觀感還是與內心的偏見拉扯,有一次在河邊,Maud說那是泰晤士河(上游),Sue反駁倫敦的泰晤士河不是這樣,Maud心理不痛快,那一刻,Sue就再度變成面目可憎的小賊.

有人說跳舞是一種前戲
Maud時時刻刻詢問倫敦的生活,Sue有一次提到了跳舞,倆人心血來潮便開始練習,Sue扮演領舞的男士,帶著Maud飛轉(電視版把這一段拍得像是最美的時光).在原著,Sue解釋:"Now,this. I am the gentleman, remember. Of course, it will go much better, with a real gent--"(P.100)Sue很多事情都得假gentleman之名而行,包括她後來的新婚教學,她還不知道對Maud而言,it's much better than with a real gent. 同一時間,Maud已經很明確感到內心的變化:"...and I feel, where she presses aginst me, the quickening beat of her heart - I feel it pass from her to me and become mine."(P.268)其實,Sue之後有察覺到Maud晚上在床上會若有所思,感覺到她的潮紅與發熱(原著P.101),只是Sue都當作Maud在想著Gentleman....

Maud舞罷笑著跌坐在椅上:"I shall dance in London." 這突然提醒Sue美好時光將屆,臉色一沉,一陣不自在.在電視版,倒是有人真的來提醒Maud美好時光將屆,她收到Richard的信,告之即將回來的訊息.

Maud的尖牙
Maud在某方面很像致命的生物,Sue必須要除去她身上的防衛和武器,才能解放她的身心.所以Sue脫去Maud的手套,幫她修剪指甲;Sue還要深入她的蛇吻幫她磨鈍尖牙...

Maud長了尖牙弄痛了自己,Sue便建議用頂針thimble幫Maud磨鈍尖牙.還沒開始,Maud便問Sue:"Do you know anyone who was bitten by a snake, Sue?"(P.102),Sue記得的版本只是被咬,但Maud提問的本意是被咬死:"Don't you know anyone who died from a snake-bite, Sue?"(P.269) 但開始之後,反而是Sue安慰Maud不會傷到她.確實,在這麼危險的馴服中,沒有任何一個人受到傷害.

  • 頂針thimble好像是最不可思議的定情物.小飛俠彼得潘和溫蒂,以頂針代替純純之吻;電影<英倫情人The English Patient>,男主角一時激情撕破女主角的衣服,事後笨拙地用頂針和針線幫她縫衣物,女主角到死前都戴著頂針項鍊.

Sue感覺到Maud的呼吸、吞嚥和無所迴避的眼神,書裡沒有Sue內心的自述,但在Maud的內心,卻是澎湃洶湧,一種只要再磨久一點就會讓Maud焦急的sensations.真實的感覺和書房裡虛幻的情慾在這一刻產生交集:"What I have tasted, or imagine I have tasted, is the taste of her; only that. May a lady taste the fingers of her maid? She may, in my uncle's books - The thought makes me colour." (P.270)在電視版,完全捨去旁白,純粹看演技,二個主角的四目相對把這一段詮釋盡在不言中.

在原著,緊接著有人送來Richard的信.Sue看到Maud在顫抖,之後便見她"The smile stayed on her lips all day, like paint" (P.103)然後Maud就一直站在鏡前作夢,所以Sue接下來才提議幫Maud算命.其實Richard的信中要求Muad "...Can she see your face? Look glad. Smile, simper, all of that...."(P.270)Maud不敢正視Sue,她在鏡前除了打量自己的長相,便是從鏡中反射偷看Sue的舉手投足.

電視版把這一段深入的接觸當成高潮的轉折,所以改編成Richard接著座車到來,打斷一切,Sue非常沮喪 "How happy I was and how much I hate Gentleman",Maud則是非常慌張,因為她的作業成果馬上要被驗收了...

紙牌算命
紙牌的象徵貫穿本書,電視版的紙牌算命,發生的時間點很早,不但早磨鈍尖牙之前,更早在跳舞之前,電視觀眾很早就看出Maud的心意.在這一段紙牌算命,我要引用一位網友的深入分析:
    「個算命是一個預兆.關於紙牌"Two of Hearts": 在原著,Gentleman用紙牌解釋計謀時並未提到"Two of Hearts".紙牌算命發生在磨鈍尖牙之後,她們已經知道Mr. Rivers明天即將回來...Sue顯示Maud九張牌,最重要的部份是"未來":The six of spades--A journey,Q of diamonds--Mrs. Sucksby (在第13章,當Mrs. Sucksby 戴上Maud的鑽石胸針,Maud才恍然大悟,叫她Q of diamond) Sue 的本意是要翻出"Two of Hearts"表示愛情,希望顯示Maud將會有"journey of heart",但Sue遺落這張牌.由此可知這個算命已經透露出他們未來的坎坷. 對Maud而言,此時對Sue的感情已經是無庸置疑,所以把Two of hearts其中之一視為自己的心,但是卻被腳跟劃出一道痕跡 (*我認為Maud又再氣Sue的居心,所以故意壓壞紙牌:"I place my heel upon it, imagining one of the painted red harts my own; and I grind it into the carpet"P.272),為日後的"My own poor mistress. Oh! My heart is breaking"埋下伏筆. (馬車離開瘋人院,Maud形容駛過的道路:"a winding red road, made cloudy by dust, like a thread of blood escaping from my heart." P.323) 對我而言,這部書就是"A journey of hearts",如果不經過這些試煉,他們不可能會在一起. 在電視版,Gentleman用紙牌解釋計謀時,"Two of Hearts"代表Sue的協助.紙牌算命發生在磨鈍尖牙之前,所以象徵的意義沒有書本上的強烈,只知道在Maud心中把"Two of hearts"視為Sue.把那張牌偷偷地放進皮包內.在電視第二部中,坐馬車到倫敦的途中,及第三部中,母女相認後,戴上Sue的手鐲,喊"forgive me"時皆拿出這張牌,此時注意看可以看到皮包內掉出頂針timble. 但是不管是原著還是電視版,最後都是把"Two of hearts"這張牌拿給Charles,轉交給Sue,只是Sue皆視為Maud在嘲笑她,而將它撕毀.我總認為Sue沒辦法了解Maud細膩的心,一直到最後,聽完遺囑才徹底體會.」

衣服/身份
在原著,Richard拜會Maud之前,Maud送給Sue一套漂亮的衣服,和一個胸針.Sue在鏡前滿心歡喜,Maud則是五味雜陳:"I have grown used to her, to the life, the warmth, the particularity of her; she has become, not the gullible girl of a villainous plot--not Suky Tawdry--but a girl with a history, with hates and likings....It is hard, painful, surprising: I feel it, and am afraid. Afraid of what my future may cost me."(P.273)Maud不再視Sue為卑劣的小賊,偏見的牆傾倒,對Sue的感情開始定調.

等到Richard加入,操控三個人之間的平衡,卻激發倆人更強烈的感情衝突.

 
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