论《儒林外史》中与科举有关的人际关系

Interpersonal Relationship Concerning Imperial Examinations in The Scholars

《儒林外史》细致交待了诸多士人之间与科举有关的人际关系,这一科举关系横贯于整个叙事的始终,并关联了小说中的诸多士人,形成了一个广泛、复杂同时又浑然一体的关系网络。从结构上说,科举关系形成了小说的一个内在架构,将不同的小说人物和故事巧妙连缀起来;科举关系在人物塑造方面同样发挥了不可忽视的作用,一些人物形象方面的特质都能在盘根错节的科举关系中找到渊源;就意旨表达而言,科举关系的建构则体现了吴敬梓对于科举制度以及士人命运更深层次的洞悉和叹喟。从某种意义说,科举关系就是"儒林",《儒林外史》也可以视为一部科举关系如何生成、延伸并网罗着所有士人以及他们赖以生存的伦理秩序共同走向穷途末路的科举关系史。

Interpersonal relationship between scholars concerning imperial examinations has been scrupulously depicted in the novel of The Scholars. The imperial examination relationship can be seen all through the novel, forming an extensive and intricate well-connected network and linking the scholars in the novel. Structurally, the relationship constitutes the internal structure of the novel, weaving the characters and plots perfectly. It also plays an important role in character development, and the special images of the characters can be traced in this relationship. The construct of the imperial examination relationship displays Wu Jingzi＇s deep understanding and lamentation toward the imperial examination system and the destinies of the scholars. In a sense, imperial examination relationship is the scholars＇ circle, and The Scholars can be viewed as a history book, exhibiting the formation of imperial examination relationship with the trapped scholars and the ethnic order the scholars would abide by to their dead end.