从“教化之敌”到“教育之友”——论“闲书”在教育中的地位变迁

From “the Enemies of Edification”to “the Friends of Education”:Position Changes of Leisure Readings in Education

在传统的世俗观念中,中国的旧小说和西方传入的新小说,俱被视为"闲书"。它们对于儿童的成长与教育,虽有作用,但很难被认可,甚至被敌视,部分教育家口中直称其为"坏书",目中视其为"教化之敌",手中也拼命地加以防备。这种状况直到"五四"运动以后才得以改变,理论家论证了"闲书"在文学教育上的作用,世俗的观念也进而得以改变,"闲书"由"敌人"一跃而变为"友人"。这并不意味着可以一味放任儿童阅读闲书,因为它与一味禁止的态度,同属"绝对论"的误区。事实上,儿童阅读闲书,需要相应的指导。惟其如此,才能真正发挥"朋友"的作用。

Traditionally, Chinese traditional novels and western novels were both seen as leisure readings, of which educational influence has not been recognized. They were called as ＂bad books＂, seen as ＂the enemies of edification＂ and fobbiden to read. It was until the May 4th Movement that things changed with the justification of their position in literature education by some theorists. As a result, traditional ideas transformed gradually and leisure readings eventually become ＂the friends of education＂. Yet it doesn＇t mean children can read them without any constraints, which may fall into the same mistake of absolutism as to totally prohibit from reading them. Guidance are quite necessary for children to ensure leisure readings＇ influences as the true friends.