魏源经世文论对传统文学原则的改造——魏源文学观的近代意义

Reform of Traditional Principles by Wei Yuan's Theory——Modern Sense Of Wei Yuan's Literary View

从文学观念近代化转型角度考察,魏源和龚自珍一样,都是近代初期文学观念新变的代表人物,两人对文学变革途径的探索不同而互补相成。龚自珍表现出对传统文学原则的怀疑和挑战,魏源的经世文论则着重对传统文学原则加以改造,使之适应时代发展。魏源从改变文学功能的阐释入手,提出"道存乎实用","文资乎救时","贯经术、政事、文章于一",对传统文论的核心问题——文、道关系,做了关键性的调整和更改,把创作方向引向关注现实,为表达批判和改革思想并随社会变化而发展,打开了通道。在创作论上提出"返情复性","达性情于政事,融政事于性情",实质是反对"以道窒欲"、以"礼义"强制性地"止情"。其"主逆复古"论是一种具有时代特征和现实指向的变革发展观,进而发展为"愤悱启发"论,转向激发忧愤、开通民智,预示了文学功能论的新方向,成为清末以文学"鼓民力、开民智"的文学启蒙论的滥觞。

From the viewpoint of modern literary transition, Both Wei Yuan and Gong Zizhen are representatives of new literary views in the early years of modern China, complementary to each other in their exploration of literary reforms. Gong Zizhen appeared to be doubtful and defiant to the traditional literary principles, while Wei Yuan's literary theory stressed on the reform of traditional literary principles, making it suitable for the development. By explaining the reform of literary function, Wei Yuan came up with the concepts like “doctrine lies in practical application”, “literature is helpful for the society”, and “political tactics, administration and literature are combined together”, making the crucial adjustment and modification for kernel ideas of traditional literary theory---the relationship between literature and doctrine. Writing was ushered to the reality, paving the way for social criticism, reform, change and development. Wei Yuan put forward the writing theory of “restoring the human nature”, and “applying humanity to administration and managing governmental affairs humanly”, opposing to the idea of“suffocating the human desire with the doctrines” and “restraining human nature with rigid feudal rituals”. Wei's idea against negative ancient concepts displayed the zeitgeist and desire for reform, and later developed into the inspiration and enlightenment for the populace, indicating the new direction of literary function.