“西方向东方发出的问候”——浅论《西东合集》

Greetings to the East from the West: A Study of West & Ouml: Stilcher Divan

《西东合集》是歌德最成熟和最辉煌的一部诗作 ,虽问世后长期未得到足够的重视 ,但在 2 0世纪却成了除《浮士德》之外德国人谈论和研究得最多的歌德作品 ,遗憾的是迄今仍很少引起我们的注意。在诗里 ,歌德与生活在不同时代、不同国度、不同文化背景和出身、经历也很不一样的波斯诗人哈菲兹 ,作诗艺和思想情感的交流 ,将现实与幻想易位、融合 ,从而获得了从现实无法获得到的满足。在这交流、易位和融合的兴奋喜悦中写成的《西东合集》,可作为东西文学文化交流的生动范例 ,“世界文学”构想的有力依据。无论思想内容还是艺术形式 ,这部哲理之书和爱情之书都堪称“西方向东方发出的问候”

West & Ouml: Stilcher Divan is Goethe's best and most wonderful collection of poems. Although not well recognized after its publication, it became one of Goethe's best (next to 'Faust') works that the German scholars most discussed and studied in the 20th century. It's a pity that up to now it hasn't drawn enough attention from the Chinese scholars. In the collection, Goethe discusses the art of poetry and exchanges personal ideas with the Persian poet, Hafis who is completely different from the author in many aspects such as times, nation, culture, living background and life experience. Goethe gains satisfaction, which reality cannot offer, through changing and blending reality with illusion. The great work was composed in the excitement and joy of such communications, changes and blendings. It is really a vivid example of communication between western and eastern literature and culture, and also a convincing evidence of Goethe's concept of 'World Literature'. Both in thought and artistic techniques, this collection of poems of philosophy and love can be regarded as 'greetings to the east from the west'.