明清通俗小说中的纳妾叙事

The Concubinage Narrative in Popular Novels of the Ming and Qing Dynasties

明清通俗小说的作者习惯于追求"耳目之内、日用起居"之奇,因此他们会频繁地将纳妾这一日常生活中极为普遍,同时又能够引起激烈矛盾的婚俗写入小说。小说中所常见的"怨气丑声"的故事就直观地反映了这一点。这类故事的矛头所指,不是纵欲的"妾",而是那些广蓄姬妾的男性,纳妾由此成为了男性好色的一个标签。而更为重要的情节模式则是"一妾破家":原本安然无事、风平浪静的家庭由于"纳妾"而掀起狂风巨浪,整个家庭因此而陷入倾覆毁灭的危机中。纳妾既是整段故事的起点,也往往被视为引发危机的源头。所有这些都体现出小说作者在叙事中对于"纳妾"的依赖。纳妾不仅作为显赫社会地位的标志而被寄予某种想象,更有助于故事的叙述:缓解人物在婚姻道德上的困惑,并解决风流与阴骘无法并存的难题,使得小说的叙事能够不偏不倚地驶向最终的目标。

The authors of the popular novels of the Ming and Qing Dynasties had a preference for what is singular in their contemporary everyday life,and the custom of dispute-provoking concubinage naturally found its way into their works.The usual plot of familial dishonors and disharmony,well reflected such a theme.In these stories,the authors' criticism did not target the voluptuous concubines,but fell on the males who possessed a large concubinage.Such a practice had become a label for men's lust.Another more important plotting mode was a concubine ruining a whole family,which suggested a peaceful family could be greatly disturbed by concubinage and finally trapped in a serious crisis.Thus,the plot of concubinage not only served the origin of the story,but also was regarded as the fountainhead of the later-appearing crisis.All designs demonstrated the author's dependence on this subject.As a hallmark of an illustrious social status,concubinage represented the authors' unfulfilled goal in life.For the writing purpose,the plot of concubinage helped to complete the story narration.Concubinage relieved the character confusion in their perception of matrimonial code,helping them to get out of the dilemma of romantic love and moral virtues.Finally,such a plotting design could lead the narrative into its proper end.