明清拟话本女性书写研究

A Study of Female Writing in Vernacular Fictions

明清拟话本塑造了大量女性,这在中国古代小说史上具有开创性意义,丰富了古代小说的人物画廊。在拟话本中,女性获得社会地位有三种方式:一是靠外部条件,此为多数;二是靠遵从社会伦理规范;三是靠自己的才能。在婚姻问题上,多数女性遵从封建婚姻规范,也有部分女性敢于突破封建枷锁,追求个人幸福。拟话本中塑造了相当数量的职业女性,如经商、伎艺、手工等职业,也有读书女性,但社会规范没有给读书女性提供出路。拟话本塑造的女性群像体现了较为进步的女性观,是古代小说中不可多得的遗产。

A large number of women have been created in vernacular fiction, which is of pioneering significance in the history of ancient Chinese fiction and enriches the character gallery of ancient fiction. In vernacular fiction, women’s status is mostly acquired by external conditions, as well as by abiding by social ethical norms, and a few by their own ability to be recognized. On the issue of women’s marriage, most women obey the feudal marriage norms, but some women dare to break through the feudal shackles and pursue personal happiness, such as elopement. It is worth noting that these eloped women in vernacular fiction mostly end successfully, which shows some progressive standpoints of vernacular fiction on women’s issues. Ancient women often had no occupation, they depended on their families, otherwise it would be difficult for them to survive. In vernacular fiction, a considerable number of professional women are created, such as business, geisha, handicraft, etc. There are also educated females, but social norms do not provide a way out for them. The images of women portrayed in vernacular fiction reflect their progressive views on female, and are a rare legacy in ancient fiction.