金代科举对文学的影响

Influence of the Imperial Examination on the Jin Literature

金代科举发展较成熟,实施时间较长,取士数量较大,民族歧视色彩不重,专门设有女真进士科,显示了民族文化融合的效应。它对文学产生过深广的影响:科举在金代文人生活中占重要地位,与各民族、各阶层的知识分子的出处、命运紧密相连,对其生存方式、生活特点、人生道路和心理状态有着明显的影响,丰富了作家的生活内容;科举的盛行为文学创作提供了丰富的素材,使文坛涌现出一大批反映读书、应举、典试、登第和贡院生活等方方面面内容的诗、文;科举考试在金代中、后期成为文学思想变革的杠杆,文坛领袖们利用主文取士之机扭转创作中的不良习气,倡导健康文风,收到明显成效。但是作为文学发展的社会、文化环境的一个重要方面,金代科举有双重意义,对文学既产生过积极、有利的作用,也带给它不少消极、有害的影响;既是文学繁荣的必要前提条件之一,又对文学发展有一定的滞碍作用。

The imperial examination in Jin Dynasty was relatively mature and long-lasting. Many scholars passed the examination as there was no serious racism. Special examination was even given to Nuzhen nationalities, indicating the fusion of national culture. The imperial examination had long lasting influence on literature： it was an important part in the life of the then men of letters for it was closely linked with the ups and downs of the intellectuals of different classes and nationalities, exerted a very obvious effect on their life and psyche, and enriched their life; it offered rich source materials for literary creation, and gave rise to poems and essays on reading, taking examinations, passing the examinations and school life; it functioned as the lever in the change of literary thoughts in middle and later Jin Dynasty, as the leading literati utilized their advantageous position as examiners to change the harmful practices in literary creation and bring in healthy wind of creation and had remarkable results. However, as an important part of the social and cultural environment for literary development, the Jin imperial examination was a double-edged weapon： while it played a positive and beneficial role, it also had negative and harmful effects; it was one of essential prerequisite for literary flourishing, yet it hindered the development of literature as well.