论文学的形象本质

On Image as the Nature Of Literature

文学的本质是形象。因为第一， 文学语言的特性是它的构象性， 本身并不是自足的， 而是指向外部世界， 目的在塑造形象， 表现生活的感性形态， 因此语言不能成为文学的本质。第二， 文学的外在表现形式和内在存在形式都是形象。认为文学的本质是形象， 可能遇到来自两个方面的反驳。一是认为形象没有普遍性， 一是认为形象没有特殊性。但认真分析，

Literature is, by nature, imaginal. First, literary language is characterized by its imaginality, and its proper mission is to create images and to present the aesthetic state of life, so it does not form the nature of literature. Secondly, both the exteriorly expressive form and interiorly existential form of literature are imaginal. The idea that the nature of literature is imaginal may meet with objections from two sides: one would think images are without universality and the other may affirm images are without particularity. But neither opinion holds truth in the last analysis.