明清八股文“代言”特征考辨

On Features of Dai Yan of the Eight-Part Essay in the Ming and Qing Dynasties

八股文是明清两代科举取士科目中的一种重要文体,"代言"是其显著的特征之一,其体现分别是形式上的"代古人语气"和内容上的"代圣贤立言"。然而对于八股文"代言"的特征,学界一直存在着不同的观点,如文体上的"代古人语气",或谓由明太祖所定,或谓始于宋代。而内容上的"代圣贤立言",事实上又与"代古人语气"有着密切的关系。因此,通过对八股文"代古人语气"和"代圣贤立言"特征形成发展过程的梳理,既辨析了八股文在"代言"方面所存在的不同观点,又能够客观理解八股文"代言"特征在明清两代的发展过程。

The eight-part essay is an important literary style in the subjects of imperial examination for se-lecting talents in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and Dai Yan is one of its significant features including imita-ting the ancients＇ tone in form and speaking for the sages in content. However, there are different views on these features in the academic circle. For example, some people think that imitating the ancients＇ tone was formulated by Zhu Yuanzhang, the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, others believe that was dated from the Song Dynasty. In fact, there is a close relationship between imitating the ancients＇ tone in form and speaking for the sages in content. So, combing through the formation and development of these two features of the eight- part essay, this paper analyzes the different viewpoints on Dai Yan and understands objectively the develop-ment of Dai Yan in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.