“应物兄们”往何处去?——评李洱小说《应物兄》

Where Are “Brothers Yingwu” Going to?——On Li Er’s Novel Brother Yingwu

作为核心符号的应物兄,其在小说中时而以"人"的面目出现,时而以"非人"的面目出现。肉体(能指)的不断变化,由此造成精神(所指)意义的无限延宕,最终构成了分裂的符号——应物兄。通过呈现这一核心符号的分裂,在现实层面上,作家李洱向我们展示了徘徊在"阐释者"与"立法者"之间的应物兄一代知识分子群体的迷惘与犹疑;在象征层面上,作家李洱提出了个体在信仰坍塌后,究竟选择生存还是毁灭这一恒久命题。通过对现实、对世界提出"往何处去"的疑问,李洱向我们展现了他对行进中的当代社会的深切关怀与思考。

Brother Yingwu,as the core symbol,sometimes appears as“a person”while sometimes as“non-human”in the novel. The constant change of the body(signifier) results in infinite extension of the significance of spirit(signified),and finally constitutes a symbol of split——Brother Yingwu. By presenting the split of this core symbol,the writer,Li Er,shows us the perplexity and hesitation of a generation of intellectuals like Brother Yingwu who are teetering between the roles of “interpreters” and “legislators” on the realistic level. In addition,on the symbolic level,Li Er puts forward the eternal proposition that whether each individual chooses to survive or perish after the collapse of faith. Through the question of“where to go”to the reality and the world,Li Er shows us his deep concern and consideration towards the contemporary society.