中国小说观的文化坐标系

On the Cultural Coordinate System of the Functions of Chinese Fictions

中国小说观存在着功利主义和超功利或反功利主义二元对立的格局。它们不仅是中国小说观念的双重变奏 ,还构成中国小说观念坐标体系的两根轴 ,使各种小说观都能纳进这个坐标系中进行定位。偏于前者的有小说救国论、载道论、启蒙论及其改造国民性等 ,重视小说的社会作用和政治宣传作用 ;偏于后者的有娱乐消闲说、消遣说、游戏说等 ,重视小说的审美价值和娱乐作用。

Concerning the functions of Chinese fictions, there exist two conflicting types of views, namely the utilitarianism and the anti utilitarianism. The two are not only a dual variation but also the two axes in the coordinate system of Chinese fictions. The former, emphasizing the social and political functions of Chinese fictions, includes those viewing the purposes of fictions as for instruction, enlightenment, for the salvaging of the nation as well as for the remolding of national characters. The latter, by contrast, tends to emphasize the aesthetic and recreational value of fictions, among which are those viewing fictions as something for entertainment, amusement and for fun.