時間的“圍困”與歷史的“滅絶”———穆旦詩歌中的時間、歷史意識

The “Besiegement” of Time and “Eradication” of History: Time Consciousness and Historical Consciousness in the Poetry of Mudan

Abstract

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

穆旦詩歌中所體現的歷史觀在現代詩人中頗爲獨特，他對同時代人中流行的目的論式的價值觀和決定論式的歷史觀持批判態度，在其詩歌中自覺地批判了這種歷史意識背後所依賴的“時間原型”，即一種朝向未來不斷進步、不可逆轉的時間。關於“時間”，他既有對人的此在被時間所“圍困”的形而上探索，也有關於歷史對人的壓迫和滅絶的具體呈現。“時間”／歷史在他筆下不再是直綫進步的，而是被“現在”這股狂流牽引著下沉，不僅個人無法把握時間和歷史，歷史本身也被看作一場空前的灾難，一種摧毁人性的存在。穆旦對時間與歷史的表現體現出他對現代歷史的一些基本假設的批判性反思，具有深遠的思想史意義。

The historical sense revealed in the poetry of Mudan (1918-1977) is quite unique amongst modern Chinese poets. He criticized two prevalent trends, namely (1) the values in the mode of teleology and (2) the historical sense in the mode of determinism. Their historical sense relies on a certain “time archetype,” a “time” that is ever-progressing towards the future and is irreversible. This theory fell prey to Mudan’s conscious criticism revealed in his poetry. His discourse on time includes not only metaphysical discussion of how people are “besieged” by time, but also substantial representation of how history oppresses and eradicates people. In his writing, “time”/history no longer follows a straight, progressive line. Rather, it is dragged to sink by a formidable current called “now.” No individual can manipulate time and history, history perse is seen as an unprecedented disaster, and also as a form of existence that would destroy human nature. Mudan’s view of the representation of time and history reveals his critical reflection on some basic presumptions in modern history. It has a profound significance in Chinese intellectual history.