文学:概念建构与娱乐主题的沉浮

Literature: Conceptual Construction and the Vicissitudes of Entertainment Themes

现代文学概念并非与生俱来,而是现代性理论运作的产物。现代文学概念的定型至少要完成四个方面的理论建构:不同知识体系对接带来的理论扩展,经世致用思想传统的承传,文学语言问题的再认识,叙事文类进入文学视野的中心。相对于现代文学概念的标准涵义,娱乐是一个倍受压抑的主题。尽管遭到了启蒙与革命两种文学观念的强大抵制,但是,作为审美愉悦的一个组成部分,娱乐主题顽强地存留于大众之中。20世纪80年代之后,娱乐主题在"文化产业"的名义下声势浩大地回归,并且获得经济效益参与的评价体系大力支持。对于现代文学概念说来,娱乐主题的重现意味了多方面的理论挑战:娱乐主题的位置,经典与"雅/俗",大众的构成,商业、市场、传媒体系与文学。这些问题相互联系,持续发酵。现代文学概念应当开启多维的对话与争论,以主动的姿态回应现代社会制造的种种历史境遇。

Modern literature is not an inborn concept,but the product of the operation of modernity theory.There are at least four aspects of theoretical construction in the formation of the concept:the theoretical expansion brought about by the connection of different knowledge systems,the inheritance of the traditional thought of pragmatism,the re-understanding of literary language,the entry of narrative style into the center of literary field.Compared with the standard connotation of the concept of modern literature,entertainment is a repressed theme.Although it was resisted strongly by the two major literary concepts—enlightenment and revolution,the theme of entertainment persisted tenaciously in the public as a component of aesthetic pleasure.After the 1980 s,the theme of entertainment returned under the name of"cultural industry",and received strong support from the evaluation system of participation in economic benefits.As for the concept of modern literature,the reappearance of entertainment themes implies multiple theoretical challenges:the position of entertainment themes,the classics and"elegance/vulgarity",the composition of the masses,business,markets,media systems and literature.These issues are interrelated and continue to ferment.The concept of modern literature should initiate multi-dimensional dialogues and debates,and respond actively to various historical situations created by modern society.