“为你们自己阅读”——希利斯·米勒访谈录

An Interview with J.Hillis Miller

此次访谈涉及文学研究的多个面向,从文学的命运、阅读体验、伦理转向到文学教学、气候变化、批评理论等重要议题,是米勒教授晚年对自己文学生涯的一次回顾性总结和深入思考。他对美国文学解构主义及解构主义者内部学术上的分歧有亲身体察和洞见,是我们了解此一话题的第一手宝贵资料。他还谈到了不为中外读者熟悉的一些个人经历,比如他离开霍普金斯加盟耶鲁大学、随后离开耶鲁加盟加州大学尔湾分校的细节,以及他担任美国现代语言协会主席的工作感受等等,这些信息对我们全面了解米勒先生的学术生涯具有独特价值。

This interview involves multiple aspects of literary studies,from the fate of literature,reading experience,and ethical turn to literature teaching,climate change,and critical theory,which demonstrate Professor Miller’s retrospective summary and indepth reflection on his literary career done in his later life.His personal observations and insights into deconstructionism in American literature and the academic divisions within deconstructionists are invaluable first-hand information on the topic.In the interview he also talked about some of personal experiences that are not familiar to Chinese and foreign readers,such as the details of his leaving John Hopkins to join Yale University,and then leaving Yale to join the University of California,Irvine,as well as his experience as president of the Modern Language Association,etc.Such information is of unique value to a comprehensive understanding of Mr.Miller’s academic career.The copy of the six hour interview can be found in the Critical Theory Archive at the University of of Irvine.The present version is a shortened and abridged one.