从一份被忽视的文本看宗教的狄更斯

On Dickens' Religious Orientation through an Interpretation of One of his Neglected Texts

狄更斯向来被视做批判现实主义作家。然其作品明显具有与其他现实主义作品不同的特征。这些特征乃至作家整个创作受到基督教信仰重要影响。长期为人所不知或忽略的《我们主的一生》为此提供了重要依据。此乃狄更斯专为自己孩子所作私人文本,在其去世64年后方始发表。该作品清楚表明狄更斯熟悉圣经,特别注重基督教信仰中仁爱、宽恕、谦卑,并相对淡化公义和审判等教义。这与其作品所体现的“以善为美”、“团圆结局”、“恶人悔改”等模式及温馨人情特征相一致。

Charles Dickens has been regarded as a writer of critical realism but his works show traits quite different from the works of other writers of critical realism. These traits reveal that Dickens and his creation were under the great influence of Christianity, and The Life of Our Lord, a long neglected text for his children published 64 years later after his death, is a case in point. This work reveals clearly that Dickens was familiar with the Bible, emphasized humanity, forgiveness and humbleness in Christianity and it relatively talks less about justice and judgment. It is in agreement with the models of ＂benevolence is beauty＂, ＂reunion ending＂ and ＂the villain regrets＂ as well as tender human feelings.