非主轩轾而力求特性——中西小说叙事传统比较研究断想

Uniqueness instead of Superiority : Comparative Studies of Sino-Western Fictional Narrative

中西小说叙事传统比较研究,是比较文学研究领域看似老生常谈、实则并未系统作专题开掘的领域,值得研究者精心耕耘。一方面,有必要将中西小说叙事传统视为独立对象进而加以横向考察,比较两者总体特征之异同,从整体上探讨两者的发生与演变。借此综合考察,可以呈现中西小说叙事传统相应的演进规律,也能够深度审视中西文化交流的差异性及其可行性。另一方面,围绕中西小说叙事传统的若干突出现象,加以专题化审视比较,祛除有关中西小说叙事传统诸多似是而非的认识,进而切实有效地呈现中西小说叙事传统的差异性,此举同样是值得费力的。

The comparative study of narrative traditions in Chinese and Western fiction is an area seemingly thoroughly studied but actually not. It deserves to be painstakingly re- searched. On the one hand, it is necessary to regard the narrative tradition of Chinese and Western fiction as an independent object and then make a horizontal investigation, to com- pare the similarities and to differences between them, and to discuss the whole process of their occurrence and evolution. Based on this comprehensive survey, we can present the corresponding evolution of Chinese and Western novels＇ narratives and also examine the differences and feasibility of Sino-Western cultural exchanges in depth. On the other hand, focusing on the several outstanding features of narrative traditions in both Chinese and Western fiction, we can compare them in the thematic survey, get rid of much ambiguous cognizance about the narrative traditions of Chinese and Western fiction, and then effec- tively present the differences between them. It is worthwhile area of study.