文学和史学的互证互通——略论钱锺书针对陈寅恪历史研究中的一则批评

Cross Verification and Intercommunication between Literature and History:On Qian Zhongshu’s Criticism of Chen Yinke’s Historical Research

钱锺书曾就文学研究中烦琐无谓的考据方法提出批评时,提到陈寅恪讨论《长恨歌》时对杨贵妃入宫时是否处女这一问题的研究算不上严肃的文学研究。钱锺书的这一批评未免有些失言。在这一问题上,陈寅恪是通过文史互证方法从具体的历史细节着眼,了却杨贵妃入宫始末这一段公案。从中也可以看出,通过探讨人物生平细节,可以于一时代风俗作一管窥。其实钱锺书和陈寅恪在文史观上有颇多契合之处,本文拟从文史互证、文史互通、文学研究方法三个方面进行讨论。

When Qian Zhongshu criticized the tedious and meaningless textual research methods in literature research,he mentioned that Chen Yinke’s research on whether Yang Guifei was a virgin when she entered the palace was not a serious literary study when Chen Yinke discussed the Song of Eternal Sorrow.Qian Zhongshu’s criticism is a bit gaffe.On this issue,Chen Yinke settled the case of Yang Guifei’s entry into the palace from the perspective of specific historical details through the approach of cross verification between literature and history.In fact,there are many similarities between Qian Zhongshu and Chen Yinke in the views on literature and history.This paper intends to discuss this issue from three aspects:the cross verification of literature and history,the intercommunication between literature and history and the literary research approach.