林语堂的“不逢时”与“逢时”——兼论林氏中西融合的文化观

The "Untimeliness" and "Timeliness" of Lin Yutang Lin's Cultural Outlook

在20世纪30年代的中国,林语堂大力提倡"幽默"与"小品",希望以西方文学之长补中国文学之短,却陷入"左右夹击"的困难境地,可谓"生不逢时"。然而,对于当时的美国和西方来说,林的英文水平、文化功底、幽默笔调和东方式的"闲适"哲学却又"适逢其时",英文作品在西方广受欢迎,影响颇大。这段历史对今天的文化建设启发良多。

In the 1930＇s, Lin Yutang advocated ＂humor＂ and ＂essay＂ in the hope of strengthening Chinese lit- erary creation by the introduction of Western literary ideas, only to find that he was trapped awkwardly between the Rightists and the Leftists. Yet, for Americans and the Westerners, Lin, with his proficiency in English, his cuhur- al knowledge, his humorous pen and his leisurely philosophy, was the right person at the right time. His English works aroused widespread interest and exerted far - reaching influence on the West. It＇s of vital importance for today cultural construction to review this period of history.