故国可堪回首月明中——评析美国现代南方作家的怀旧情结

An Analysis of the Nostalgic Affection of the Modern Southern Writers of America

美国南方是个有着独特传统的地区,其特定的历史背景造就了别具一格的南方文学。其中,怀旧情结表现了美国南方文化取向的集体无意识,成为美国现代南方文学的重要特征之一。南方文艺复兴前的代表作家更多地是在一厢情愿地美化已逝去的旧南方,甚至包括它的罪恶和问题,其意图就是要退回到那根本不存在的梦幻般纯净美好的旧南方,以表达对现实的不满。南方文艺复兴时期的作家们,同样对故乡有一种刻骨铭心的依恋,但与前期南方作家不同,他们竭力摆脱不切实际地美化南方的传统,更多地将目光转向南方社会存在的种种问题与冲突以及南方人的保守、愚昧和精神危机,用客观的眼光正视南方的社会现实,以严肃的态度展示真正的南方和困境中的南方人。然而,由于生长背景和环境的影响,他们在种族、传统价值、社会发展等问题上表现出难以调和的两面性:反对工业化和现代化,维护农业经济;反对变革和新思想,固守传统观念。剖析美国现代南方作家怀旧情结的成因及其基本特征,解读这一特殊区域人们的心理特征、思维方式和伦理传统,是我们认识把握美国现代南方文学时代脉络的关键。

The South of the United States is a region of particular traditions and history which help to conceive the unique Southem Literature. Among these traditions, the nostalgic affection represents Jung＇ s collective unconscious in Southern culture and turns out to be one of the dominant characteristics of the Southern cultural tradition. Writers before the Southern Renaissance who cherish a wish to restore the imaginary heaven - like past, are inclined to beautify the Old South, including even its problems and evil in order to express their dissatisfaction with the reality. Writers of Renaissance have the same deep - rooted emotion toward the South, but they revolt against the tendency and express their concern over various issues and conflicts in the South and the Southerners＇ conservatism, benightedness and spiritual crisis as well. They face reality squarely and present the South and the Southerners in an objective way. However, owing to the powerful influence of the Southern cultural tradition, their writings exhibit an uncompromising contradiction on issues of race, concept of value and social development, etc.. The analysis of the causes and essential features of the Southern writers＇ nostalgic affection and the interpretation of their mental status, ways of meditation and moral orinciples are the key to the readers＇ understanding of the Southern literature of America.