韓少功對“文學尋根”的重探———以2006年新版《爸爸爸》爲論述中心

Han Shaogong’s Re-examination of Chinese Root- seeking Literature, with a Focus on the New Edition of Han’s Pa Pa Pa

Abstract

LANGUAGE NOTE | Document text in Chinese; abstract also in English.

中國大陸上世紀八十年代“文學尋根”理念的倡導者韓少功於2006年重寫其“尋根”經典小說《爸爸爸》，同期發表一系列重探“尋根”的文章，爲有關“尋根”的討論帶來新的衝擊。本文首先整理韓少功修訂《爸爸爸》的背景，指出作家通過是次修訂，具體回應評論者二十年來側重於《爸爸爸》的批判性的解讀方向。本文亦指出是次修訂的準則並非純如作者解釋，旨在恢復原貌、解釋用語和修補缺失，更有重新創作之意。本文其後通過對讀《爸爸爸》的新舊版本，指出作家通過強化小說内部各種思維的角力，強調“尋根”問題的複雜性，肯定《爸爸爸》於批判以外的意義。本文亦配合韓少功2000年以後重探“文學尋根”理念的文章，說明韓少功在其重探“尋根”的過程中，其焦點漸漸由強調以中國“先鋒派”作家作參照，轉移至強調知青下鄉與“尋根”的關係。韓少功通過重探“尋根”肯定其“進步的回退”文學理念，爲“尋根”賦予新的意義。本文由此說明韓氏先後標榜“先鋒”和“回退”兩種看似截然不同的姿態，事實上呈現了作家在現代主義文學與左翼文藝之間的協商。

In 2006, Han Shaogong, one of the most vital writers in contemporary Chinese literature, rewrote his renowned novel Pa Pa Pa, a classic of the “Root- seeking” movement in the 1980s. At the same time, Han published a series of articles on “seeking the root” and put his theory into practice in Pa Pa Pa. The ambiguity of the novel immediately raised great concern. Critics generally viewed it as a tale showing the dark side of the Chinese national character.

In the new version of Pa Pa Pa, Han added more than 10,000 words and made significant amendments. With a detailed comparison of the two versions, this paper argues that Han re-examined the Chinese “root-seeking” literature and responded to criticism that had been made over the previous 20 years through rewriting his classic work. It also shows that in the new version, Han deliberately toned down the level of criticism and focused on the dilemma the characters encountered in the novel. Taking the novel as an example, this paper shows the complexity of Chinese “root-seeking” literature.

Moreover, with the support of Han’s articles published in the 2000s, this paper argues that Han’s concern shifted from the influence of Chinese avant-garde literature to why the young intellectuals sent to rural regions during the Great Cultural Revolution were so eager to “seek their roots.” As such, Han’s re-interpretation of “root-seeking” is an attempt to advocate his idea of “A Retreat of Progress.”