利与性的“和而不同”——中西文学鸨母形象的比较

Profit and Sex: Similarities and Differences Between Bawds in Western and Chinese Literatures

在利益和性的问题上,中西文学作品里的鸨母"和而不同"。其"和"在于她们都是商品经济所催生的特殊群体,奉行拜金主义,并沦为利益的追逐者。在买卖性商品的过程中,她们铸就了自身运筹帷幄的统筹能力,尽显成熟的商业素养。其"不同"源于中西高低不等的商品经济水平以及中西各自的文化传统。于是,在对利与性的追求中,她们一个变成了桎梏者的形象,一个则变成了同路人的形象,由此折射出中西方封建与开化的不同人文理念。这种利与性的分歧,凸显了中西方时代风化的分歧。

When it comes to profit and sex, there are similarities and differences between the bawds depicted in Western and Chinese literatures. Similarities lie in that both as a special group of people are the products of commodity economy and worshippers of money, and both have been reduced to profit chasers. In the course of buying and selling sex, they both have impressed the world with their ability to map out successful business strategies. Bawds in Western hterature differ from their Chinese peers due to differ- ent levels of economic performance and different cultural traditions. This is the major reason why Chinese bawds are depicted as one who oppress the prostitutes, while the Western bawds are portrayed as a partner of the prostitutes. Such differences are the mirror of two different humanistic philosophies dominant in a feudal society and a more open-minded society, as well as the different morals and manners popular in these societies.