“两个法国”之间的勒内·韦勒克:论比较文学在美国的理论化进程

René Wellek between the "Two Frances":On the Progress of Theorization of Comparative Literature in the United States

勒内·韦勒克在其学术生涯早期,通过反对“法国学派”的实证主义,建构起了一种文学研究理论和“文艺学”理论体系。尽管同一时期美国比较文学的主流形态仍然是“法国式”的,韦勒克的理论建构在实践中也难以落实,但它极大地促进了美国文学研究的制度化发展。然而,从20世纪60年代中期开始,以罗兰·巴尔特的理论为代表的法国理论给这一制度带来了极大冲击,也给韦勒克带来了前所未有的焦虑,甚至迫使他转而推崇曾经批判的实证主义。20世纪70年代之后,美国比较文学通过理论化克服了其知识危机,甚至借着理论的发展走向了“胜利”。终于,韦勒克的文学研究理念以他未曾料到、也一定不会感到欣喜的方式部分地成为现实。

In his early academic career,Rene Wellek built up a system of literary studies against the positivistic"French School."Although American comparatism at that time was largely"Francized,"and Wellek's theoretical construction could not be turned into practices easily,it prompted the institutionalization of literary studies in the US effectively.However,since the mid-1960s,the French theory represented by Roland Barthes shocked the American institutions,and pushed Wellek to argue anxiously for more positivism.Then after the 1970s,through theorization,American comparatism overcame its institutional crisis,and even marched to its victory with the development of theory.At last,Wellek's ideal of literary studies came to reality partly through an unexpected and unwelcomed way.