四论程、高续书之功

The Fourth Comment on Cheng Weiyuan and Gao e's Contribution

就作者上世纪80年代所撰3篇论程伟元、高鹗的《红楼梦》后四十回续书之功的文章,从新的观点上作了总结性评述。《红楼梦》百廿回前后矛盾、错简现象是程、高续书放弃原稿八十回构思的贾府衰败、后继无人的题材转而另写宝黛爱情、钗黛冲突的爱情自由和婚姻自主的题材所造成的。改变了前书的面目和性质,将前书引而未发的宝、黛的“儿女之真情”,发展光大为自由爱情、自主婚姻的历史必然的呼声。虽引起了一系列变化,造成诸多简错、矛盾,但对于创造出适合普通读者阅读的《红楼梦》,有着不可磨灭的价值与功勋。所以,我们应该充分估计程、高续书的重大价值。

This paper reviews three articles written in 1980s about Cheng Weiyuan and Gao＇e＇s late-40- chapters of ＂The Dreams of Red Mansion＂, and points out the contradiction between the first 80 chapters and the last 40 chapters and the phenomenon of error and abbreviation ari~ caused by converting from the original theme of decline and lacking of successors to the theme of love and marriage made by their own. This edition changed the previous character of true love between Baoyu and Daiyu which was mentioned but not developed to free love and marriage. Though it causes a series of changes, it has an permantent value of creating the edition suited for common readers. We must appraise its significant value thoroughly.