「病體中國」的時局隱喻與治療淬鍊――論晚清小說的身體∕國體想像

The Images of “Body” and “Nation” in Late-Qing Fiction

本文觀察「身體」與「國體」的比附架構在晚清小說敘事中的發生。首先，本文探討晚清作者透過「身體」的分裂、拉扯、非人化等筆調，銘刻近代中國在「進化」話語下的「弱肉強食」，構築一具有視覺意象的「身體時局圖」，反映四分五裂、積弱不振的國體；接著，本文指出晚清「新小說」文體預設的「改革」視野，結合各種醫病言說、醫學原理、器物發明等，將「病體中國」推到手術床上接受診斷、治療，開拓嶄新的「醫病」想像，早於五四之前便實踐「文學」治療民族痼疾的敘事；最後，本文指出晚清作者不止於疾病的治療，更進一步以極大化的「對比」架構如「新與舊」、「古與今」、「強與弱」、「睡與醒」，替人物淬魂鍊體，重振國體之威，構成「化分我舊質而鑄我新質」的敘事。此由身體時局圖、小說診斷學與魂體對比法共構的討論脈絡，將反映晚清小說的身體／國體想像。

This essay investigates the corresponding pattern of ”body” and ”nation” in late-Qing fiction. Firstly, by examining the scheme of the body's split and dehumanization, this study discusses how late-Qing writers made use of this kind of scheme to reflect their thought on the situation of the empire, which was compared to an exhausted and ill ”human body.” Secondly, it points out that before the May Forth writers made use of ”medical” narrative, late-Qing writers had already used it to manifest their patriotic perspective of national reform. Methods of comparison between an ill body and the descending nation were commonly used. By producing the imagery of an ill body undergoing medical treatment or surgery, late-Qing writers projected their expectation of a promising nation after reformation. Finally, this study analyses how late-Qing fiction showed forth a narrative mode of ”construction of spirit” by making use of a distinct technique of contrast. This technique represents late-Qing people's eagerness for a new national and eethnic spirit.