四大奇书经典演变与名实变迁

The Classical Evolution of Four masterpieces and Name and Nature

四大名著是文学史上最为著名的并称专名,由四大奇书发展而来。自《三国演义》梓行百年说部渐兴之后,说部的同情者逐渐认识到其与经史相抗的特别价值,每以＂奇书＂、＂大书＂、＂才子书＂等名相许。在此基础上,清康熙己未年间醉耕堂本《三国演义》以＂四大奇书第一种＂之目刊行,其中署名李渔的《古本三国志序》首次将《三国演义》、《水浒传》《西游记》、《金瓶梅》并称为＂四大奇书＂。由于该系列图书的大量梓行流播,以及学者的渲染论说,＂四大奇书＂遂成定名。＂四大奇书＂之＂奇＂是新奇之奇,也是奇特之奇,更是奇伟之奇。该命名可见论者为说部寻找立足之地,撑起生存天空的努力,也隐约可见其对抗传统经典,创立新的文化经典的意图。

The four famous works in literary history come from the four masterpieces. Since The Romance of the Three Kingdoms came into print,the supporters got to know the value of history storytelling. Such books were often called ＂masterpieces＂. In the Preface of Ancient Three kingdoms by Li Yu,The Romance of the Three Kingdoms,Water Margin,Journey to the West and Golden Lotus were first called＂four masterpieces＂. The name of＂four masterpieces＂was decided because of large number of printings and supports from scholars. It can be seen that this name has the meaning of looking for the survival of storytelling. And it also shows its intention to fight the traditional classics and create a new cultural classic.