象征——论史蒂文斯与爱默生的诗学契合

Symbols:Poetics Shared by Emerson and Stevens

从象征的内涵、外延和功用三方面入手,对比研究爱默生和史蒂文斯的诗学理论,发现二者的象征理论存在契合。爱默生的象征宽泛而具体,史蒂文斯的象征简洁而抽象;前者兼顾第一和第二自然,后者直指第二自然,即想象世界;前者努力做一名虔诚的教徒,后者却公然宣称诗歌可以替代宗教;前者成就于倡导和阐述,后者建树于理论和创造;二者都着迷于象征,都关注能带给人类灵魂真、善、美的想象世界。

Centering on the connotation, denotation and function of symbols, this paper compares Emerson and Stevens＇ poetics. Emerson＇s symbols are all-inclusive and concrete, while Stevens＇ are concise and abstract; Emerson focuses on both Nature I and Nature II, while Stevens aims straight at Nature II, i. e. the imaginary world. Emerson tries to be a devout preacher, but Stevens openly asserts that religion can be replaced by poetry. The former achieves a lot in advocating symbols; the latter earns his reputation for his poetry of symbols. And both are obsessed with symbols, i. e. the imaginary world which brings us truth, goodness and beauty.