GR translation: the translucent guardian of a rainfall

[Mike Jing]

Of course, the scene is seen from the perspective of the camera. Thanks for
the reply, David.


On Thu, Jun 23, 2022 at 1:33 AM David Morris <fqmorris at gmail.com> wrote:

> On Wed, Jun 22, 2022 at 7:28 PM Mike Jing <gravitys.rainbow.cn at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> V94.8-15 ,P96.1-9   The cameraman is pleased at the unexpected effect of
> so
> much flowing crepe, particularly when Katje passes before a window and the
> rainlight coming through changes it for a few brief unshutterings to
> murky glass, charcoal-saturated, antique and weather-worn, frock, face,
> hair, hands, slender calves all gone to glass and glazing, for the
> celluloid instant poised—the translucent guardian of a rainfall shaken
> through all day by rocket blasts near and far, downward, dark and ruinous
> behind her the ground which, for the frames’ passage, defines her.
>
> Several things:
>
> what does "it" refer to?     I always thought it refers to the crepe, but
>> the published translation took it as the window, which seems redundant to
>> me since it's already made of glass.
>
>
> Here’s my understanding:
> ———————
> “ when Katje passes before a window and *the **rainlight* coming through *changes
> it* for a few brief unshutterings to murky
> glass, charcoal-saturated,”
>
> Can be analyzed as:
> “RAINLIGHT [coming through the window] changes  *IT*  (the camera’s
> shutter-taking recorded visual effects of the) *flowing crepe.”*
> ———————
>
> What does "the translucent guardian" refer to here? I thought it refers to
>> the preceding image of Katje in the dress, while the published translation
>> again interpreted it as the window, which doesn't seem right.
>>
>
> Here’s my understanding:
> ————————
> “for the celluloid instant poised—the translucent guardian”
>
> All the rainy lighting effects have transformed Katie FOR THE CAMERA
> (celluloid) into the *translucent guardian*.
> ————————-
>
> What does the word "downward" describe here?
>>
>
> Here’s my understanding:
> ————————
> “a rainfall shaken through all day by rocket blasts near and far,
> downward, dark and ruinous behind her the ground”
>
> *RAIN*(falls) *DOWNWARD* [into] the *GROUND*.
> ———————-
>
> David Morris
>
>