汉代策选与对策文述论

On the imperial examinations and writing styles in Han dynasty

策选始于文帝前十五年(公元前165年)。它适应了选拔与考核知识文化群体的时代要求,其产生具有历史必然性。武帝时,策选已成定制,确立了以儒为本的指导思想。鉴于贤良策选的积极作用,其他察举诸科甚至征辟之士也渐次采取了试策方式,体现了策选的广泛性、普遍性。主持策选的机关,西汉时为太常,东汉为尚书。策选地点多在公车。策选时,皇帝起决定作用。对策有等第甚至名次之别,但无黜落。由此产生的应试文体——对策文,创作质量与策问密切相关,多以政事为主,有很强的政治实用性与针对性。依经立义,经理气息浓厚。形式体制较固定,分为策头、策项、策尾三部分,多采用"条对"方式。文风典正,文质兼备。一些篇章成为古代对策文的经典,对后世有很大影响。

The imperial examinations that begin in 165 B.C.under the rule of Emperor Wendi of Han dynasty meet the demand for examination and selection of the intellectuals.By Emperor Wudi,the examination becomes an established system based on Confucianism.With the extensive spreading in different departments,examination ministry comes into form.Emperor plays a decisive role in the examinations and after-examination grading.This results in a special examination style with the prescribed beginning,body and ending of the exam writings,in addition to antithesis.The writings have to contain proper arguments,styles and quality.