纪德的“南方”迷恋解读

The interpretation of André Gide’s obsession with “South”

纪德一生都在旅行,旅行是他人生的启蒙学校。旅行目的地的选择,其实隐含了他内心的向往和认同。纪德倾心的目的地是南方:南方不仅包括父亲的故乡塞文地区,那里承载着纪德儿时最甜蜜的记忆;还包括象征着解放、自由、原始的北非,那里让纪德摆脱宗教枷锁、体验肉体放纵、恢复健康体魄;甚至还包括西方文明源头之古希腊神话,那里是纪德精神上的故乡。南方是纪德身体和心灵的力量源泉,是他心里放不下的迷恋。他不断回到南方,在那里汲取力量和灵感,用旅行和文字创造出属于自己的精神家园。

André Gide is obsessed with journeys and by taking journeys all his life he seems to endorse the idea that journey is his school of enlightenment and initiation in life. The very choice of destination of these journeys actually implies the aspirations and identity of his inner heart. Gide has a favorite place to go and that place is the South. It is not only because the South covers Cévennes area where his father’s native country is located and a home to the most beautiful memories of Gide’s childhood. It is also a place that symbolizes liberty, freedom, and the primitive North Africa. There Gide can temporarily free himself away from the religious confinements so as to regain health by experiencing corporal pleasure. It is even an origin of western civilization as well as Greek and Roman mythology which promises Gide his spiritual hometown. The South, a destination of obsession for Gide, is a source of power, both in physical and spiritual sense. By continually returning to the South, Gide obtains power and inspiration, creating a spiritual home of his own with language and journey.