论鲁迅不轻视司马相如

On Lu Xun's Extolling Sima Xiangru

历代学者对司马相如多苛责微辞,包括诮诘、讥嘲,认为司马相如人格有问题,是一"御用文人",作品形式大于内容。攻击封建传统文学不遗余力的鲁迅,却出人意料地对司马相如网开一面,不仅不轻视,反而持同情、理解与欣赏的态度,在论著与讲稿中多次涉及,将之与司马迁相提并论,称其"卓绝汉代"、"精神极流动"。鲁迅著述引用司马相如作品,手书辞句赠人,对司马相如的"傲诞"作风特别看重,这都与鲁迅当时的处境、心情有神合之处。鲁迅对司马相如的评颇,是其古代文化遗产接受思想体系中重要一环。

Most of the past scholars were discontent with Sima Xiangru＇s personality, or even criticized him severely. They thought that his personality has much to be improved. And he was a ＂hack writer at court＂. He was criticized that he gave priority to the forms in his works rather than the content. However, Lu Xun, who spared no effort in criticizing and attacking the traditional feudal literature in ancient China, was unexpectedly lenient in treating Sima Xiangru, rather than despising but showing sympathy for, understanding and appreciating him. In his academic works and lectures, he had referred to Sima Xiangru repeatedly, and compared him to Sima Qian, praising him as ＂extraordinary in Han Dynasty＂ and thinking his ＂spirits being fluid＂. Lu Xun cited the works of Sima Xiangru and sent his handwriting of fabulous and great sentences in Sima Xiangru＇s works to his friends, and thought highly of Sima Xiangru＇s ＂arrogant and absurd＂ style, which was a reflection of Lu Xun＇s unfavorable situations and depressed feelings at that time. Lu Xun＇s favorable review on Sima Xiangru is an important and integral part in his thought of accepting and making good use of the cultural heritage of China in the ancient times.