Sons and Lovers - Chapter 9
Hijos y amantes - Capítulo 9
Paul's artistic ability continued to grow. He spent every spare moment drawing or painting, trying to capture the beauty he saw in the world.
La capacidad artística de Paul seguía creciendo. Pasaba cada momento libre dibujando o pintando, tratando de capturar la belleza que veía en el mundo.
His teacher, Mr. Heaton, was impressed by his progress. "You have a real gift, Paul," he said. "You could be a great artist."
Su maestro, el Sr. Heaton, estaba impresionado por su progreso. "Tienes un verdadero don, Paul", dijo. "Podrías ser un gran artista".
Paul was encouraged, but he also felt the pressure. His mother expected great things from him, and he didn't want to disappoint her.
Paul se sintió animado, pero también sentía la presión. Su madre esperaba grandes cosas de él, y no quería decepcionarla.
"I will work hard," he promised himself. "I will make something of myself."
"Trabajaré duro", se prometió a sí mismo. "Haré algo de mí mismo".
He began entering local art competitions, and to his surprise and joy, he started winning prizes. His paintings of the countryside were especially praised, capturing the light and mood of the landscape in ways that amazed the judges.
Comenzó a participar en concursos de arte locales y, para su sorpresa y alegría, empezó a ganar premios. Sus pinturas del campo fueron especialmente elogiadas, capturando la luz y el estado de ánimo del paisaje de maneras que asombraban a los jueces.
Gertrude was proud of her son's success, though she didn't understand art herself. "My Paul is clever," she would say to neighbors. "He has a special talent."
Gertrude estaba orgullosa del éxito de su hijo, aunque ella misma no entendía de arte. "Mi Paul es inteligente", decía a los vecinos. "Tiene un talento especial".
But Paul's mind was often elsewhere. When he wasn't painting, he was thinking about Miriam or Clara, confused by his feelings for both of them.
Pero la mente de Paul a menudo estaba en otra parte. Cuando no estaba pintando, pensaba en Miriam o en Clara, confundido por sus sentimientos hacia ambas.
Miriam wanted him to focus on his art, to build a future where they could be together properly. Clara wanted him in the present, to enjoy the passion that burned between them.
Miriam quería que se centrara en su arte, para construir un futuro en el que pudieran estar juntos adecuadamente. Clara lo quería en el presente, para disfrutar de la pasión que ardía entre ellos.
Paul felt pulled in different directions. He loved art, but he also loved these women, and he didn't know how to balance everything.
Paul se sentía arrastrado en diferentes direcciones. Amaba el arte, pero también amaba a estas mujeres, y no sabía cómo equilibrarlo todo.
His paintings began to show this conflict. They were darker now, more intense, showing a struggle between light and shadow.
Sus pinturas comenzaron a mostrar este conflicto. Eran más oscuras ahora, más intensas, mostrando una lucha entre la luz y la sombra.
Mr. Heaton noticed the change. "Your work is becoming more serious," he said. "But I am worried about you, Paul. You seem tired."
El Sr. Heaton notó el cambio. "Tu trabajo se está volviendo más serio", dijo. "Pero estoy preocupado por ti, Paul. Pareces cansado".
Paul was tired. He was tired of trying to please everyone—his mother, Miriam, Clara, and most of all, himself.
Paul estaba cansado. Estaba cansado de intentar complacer a todos: a su madre, a Miriam, a Clara y, sobre todo, a sí mismo.
He didn't know what he wanted anymore. All he knew was that he needed to figure it out, before the confusion destroyed him.
Ya no sabía lo que quería. Lo único que sabía era que necesitaba averiguarlo antes de que la confusión lo destruyera.