新华作家作品中再现的新加坡 ：以希尼尔为例 = Representation of the nation in Singapore Chinese literature – a case study of Xi Ni Er

Abstract

本篇论文尝试以新加坡作家希尼尔为例，从文学批评中再现理论的角度，探讨他的作品如何再现新加坡和新加坡人的形象。论文会从文化、历史以及社会三个角度进行论述。以文化而言，新加坡作为中西文化杂处之地，经历华校被关闭、教育以英文为主流等种种事件，给往后的新加坡人在文化和心理上带来不小的影响。以历史问题而言，新加坡追求进步，发展快速，国人对于历史的淡忘和扭曲也是作家意欲探讨的主题之一。最后，以新加坡社会而言，作家的作品往往表现的是一种批判式的关怀，展露出社会的世风日下和亲情冷漠。希尼尔对于新加坡和新加坡人的敏锐观察，填补了以往新加坡文学在这方面的空白，更在世界文学中占有举足轻重的地位。This thesis attempts to explore how Singaporean writer Xi Ni Er’s works represent the image of Singapore and Singaporeans from the perspective of culture, history and society, based on the “representation” theory of literary criticism. The thesis will start off from the culture aspect, where the status of Singapore as a land of cross-cultural communication is confirmed. Singaporeans experienced the shutting down of Chinese schools and noticed drastic changes in education, which caused profound impact on Singaporeans in terms of culture and psychology. Following, a discussion from the historical perspective that demonstrates the rapid growth and progress of Singapore’s aspirations and developments as a nation will be shown. Singaporean’s forgetfulness and distortion of history is among the themes that the writer has explored in his writings. Lastly, critical concern towards the society that is evident in Xi Ni Er’s works will be discussed, along with his revelation of the moral degeneration and indifference between families. The writer’s keen observation of Singapore and Singaporeans serves as an unprecedented patch that fills the gap in relevant field of Singapore literature, not to mention the leading to his attainment of a crucial position in global literature circles.