中国“世界文学”观念的“逆向发展”与“正向发展”

The “Retrogression” and “Progression” of the Concept of “World Literature” in China

在世界范围内,中国的“世界文学”观念发展是非常独特的,它与西方的“世界文学”观念“正向发展”的情形不同,同时还存在着“逆向发展”的情形。因为中国对于外来文学的引进,一直受制于“民族救亡”问题,而“世界文学”观念的发展成熟,需要的是超越于“民族立场”的“人类”眼光。中国的“世界文学”观念发展之所以时顺时逆,正是受制于这一对矛盾因素的交叠变换。

The Chinese concept of ＂world literature＂ is different from the Western concept in that it encompasses at the same time the implication of ＂progression＂ and the idea of ＂retrogression＂. While the introduction of foreign literatures to China is always confined and influenced by the issue of ＂saving the nation from extinction＂, the mature formation of the idea of ＂world literature＂ demands a transcendence over the narrow ＂nationalistic position＂ and calls for a universal view of humanity. The development of the concept of world literature in China is thus alternatively retrogressive and progressive.