传统与现代的平衡——从赛珍珠的演讲看《同胞》里中国知识分子的人生定位

The Balance between Tradition and Modernity

以描写中国农村生活、体味中国农民疾苦而闻名于世的诺贝尔文学奖得主、美国作家赛珍珠对中国知识分子同样投入了极大的热情与关注。传统与现代的平衡是她为其设计的人生定位,也是她苦苦挣扎于东西方文化不同张力之下的最佳选择。然而这样的平衡是短暂而脆弱的,她对中国传统文化的迷恋往往成为她最终的精神归宿。结合她于1933年发表的题为《新爱国主义》的演讲,仔细分析其代表作《同胞》,可以清晰地看到中国知识分子特别是“海归派”知识分子的人生轨迹。

Famed around the world for her intimacy with Chinese peasants' plight, Nobel Laureate Pearl S. Buck dedicates equal attention and fiery passion to Chinese intellectuals as well. She defines their life position as a balance between tradition and modernity, the best choice she can find for them in the course of her painful struggle under the different tensile forces of Eastern and Western civilizations. However, the fragile balance is constructed on a temporary basis, as her excessive affection towards traditional Chinese culture becomes her ultimate spiritual destination. The following paper endeavors to explore the life path of the intellectuals, especially those overseas returnees, reflected in Kinfolk in connection with her address entitled 'New Patriotism' delivered in Shanghai in 1933, hoping to benefit contemporary Chinese intellectuals in the selection of their social roles.