对边界与平衡的探索——再读特德·姜《巴比伦塔》与《你一生的故事》

Exploration of Boundary and Balance-Upon:Reading Ted Chiang's Tower of Babylon and Stories of Your Life

特德·姜的作品有其独特的魅力,以短篇小说《巴比伦塔》与《你一生的故事》为例,无论以自然科学还是社会科学为基础,作者始终以一种冷静的科学语言克制地展开奇异的想象:或与外星人沟通从而窥见宇宙的一星半点,或凭技术力量去接近上帝。科学与幻想结合迸发出美妙的火花。同时,通过构建并推敲二元对立关系,包括科学与神学话语、宿命与自由意志、有限与无限可能性等,作者遥指更广阔的宇宙与更高的规则,告诫人类应心存敬畏。

The science fictions written by Ted Chiang have their unique charms.In both of his works Tower of Babylon and Story of Your Life,representatives of natural science origins and social science origins,the writer uses a calm,restraint and scientific language to construct a fantastic imaginary land:to catch a glimpse of the universe through communication with the aliens,or to get close to the God.The combination of science and imagination creates a beautiful spark.Meanwhile,through constructing binary oppositions including science and theology,destiny and free will,limitations and unlimited potential,the writer hints a wider universe and higher rule,thus humans should show respect.