文学本质论观念的历史嬗变及其反思

Historical Evolution and Reflection on the Concept "the Essence of Literature"

文学本质论是一个现代文学理论问题,在中国文论现代转型发展进程中,文学本质论建构得到了高度重视,成为现代文论中的核心问题。文学本质论观念是一个历史建构与嬗变过程,从20世纪初到改革开放时期,文学本质论观念随着时代变革和文学发展不断变化,以适应不同时代的要求。新时期以来也是如此,从社会意识形态论到审美意识形态论,从审美论到人的文学论,乃至在反本质主义语境下对文学本质问题的重新探讨,反映了文学本质论观念的历史嬗变进程。对文学本质论问题及其观念嬗变的反思,一方面可从中获得应有的经验教训或历史启示,另一方面也促使我们思考当代文论所面临的困境和问题,克服反本质主义论争带来的消极影响和自我迷失的困惑,进行当代人应有的理论探究与建构。

The essence of literature is an issue of modem literary theory. In the process of Chinese literary theory＇s modem transformation and development, the theorization of the essence of literature was highlighted, and has become the key issue in modem literary theory. This concept has adapted itself several times through historical construction and evolution, from the beginning of the twentieth century to the period of reform and opening up, in accordance with the change of time and the development of literature. The new period also saw the evolution process of this concept under different critical lenses ： social and aesthetic ideology theories, aesthetic and human literary theories, even re-discussion in the context of anti-essentialism. A reflection on the essence of literature and its evolution gives us some lessons and insights, as well as leads us to ponder over difficulties and problems of contemporary literary theory. In this regard, we could overcome the negative influence brought by the anti-essentialism controversy and loss of the self, so as to conduct a rational theoretical exploration and construction.