摘要: | 蕭白(1925-2013),本名周仲勳,另有筆名古塔、風雷、金陽、周雨、周冷溪,別號寒峰,生於浙江省諸暨縣,為農家子弟。求學期間正值中日戰事爆發,蕭白完成師範學校學業後曾短暫至小學任教,因懷抱對家國的責任心而辭去工作,選擇在1941年加入青年服務隊,投身戰地。軍旅生涯中,蕭白的寫作慾望意外被觸發,開始大量閱讀並練習寫作。早年蕭白並未將散文納入寫作範疇,直至好友蕭楷輝的邀稿才敦促他寫下第一篇散文創作〈夢及其他〉,也因為這樣的「意外」,讓蕭白在散文創作上開拓出新境,並以此在台灣文學史上留下不可刪略之地位。
以蕭白散文作品內容而言,主要有四大面向:自然世界、哲思玄想、懷鄉紀舊、生活見聞。在1950年代戰鬥文藝作品當道的文壇氣氛中,蕭白將視野更多的轉向現實裡的自然天地,他的筆鋒流露出獨特的個人哲思,並洋溢著自適的淡泊心境。直至後期散文作品,才收錄較多回憶舊時風土的紀事,思鄉情感亦更為凸顯。蕭白在「體式」方面更展現了散文創作的藝術突破。《白鷺之歌》融合詩意象徵與小說結構,形塑出寓言化的全篇連集的「巨構」形式;《摘雲集》、《弦外集》、與《無花果集》以無標題的短文集結成書,以跳躍、詩意的語言形式,出入於現實與想像中,大膽挑破人世的虛偽,任情抒發對宇宙生命的想像,走出傳統散文書寫的新路。分析蕭白散文的語言特色,可看出其作品有詩的意境、新穎的詞藻,及熱情洋溢、往復吟唱的音韻,使他的作品富感染力。尤其在《摘雲集》、《弦外集》與《無花果集》中更可見頻繁的分行寫作形式,形成「詩化散文」的風格。此外,蕭白散文具有「意象美」的特色,常以隱晦的詩性隱喻寄託個人觀察與心情。
總歸來說,蕭白的散文作品於美學上展現出抒情與哲思兼備、語言形式辨識度高的風貌。在他的文字中,可見對自然天地的讚美、哲性生命思考和鄉愁情感,以此映現了他一生對真善美的追尋精神。 Xiao Bai (1925-2013), whose real name was Zhou, Zhong-xun(周仲勳), also wrote under the pen names Gu Ta, Feng Lei, Jin Yang, Zhou Yu, Zhou Lengxi, and the pseudonym Han Feng. Born into a farming family in Zhuji County(諸暨縣), Zhejiang Province(浙江省), Xiao Bai's education coincided with the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War. After completing his studies at a teacher training school, he briefly taught at a primary school. However, driven by a sense of duty to his country, he resigned and joined the Youth Service Corps in 1941, dedicating himself to the war effort. It was during his military career that his desire to write was unexpectedly ignited, leading him to read extensively and practice writing.
In his early years, Xiao Bai did not consider writing prose until his friend Xiao, Kai-hui(蕭楷輝)invited him to contribute, prompting him to write his first prose piece, " Dream and Others."(〈夢及其他〉)This "accident" opened up new horizons for Xiao Bai in essay writing, securing his place in Taiwanese literary history.
Xiao Bai's prose primarily explore four themes: the natural world, philosophical musings, nostalgia, and observations of life. In the literary atmosphere of the 1950s, dominated by militant literature, Xiao Bai turned his attention more towards the reality of nature. His writing revealed a unique personal philosophy and a serene, contented mindset. It was only in his later works that he included more recollections of past customs, with a more pronounced sense of nostalgia. In terms of style, Xiao Bai showcased artistic breakthroughs in prose writing. "The Song of the Egret"(《白鷺之歌》)combined poetic symbolism with novelistic structure, creating a fable-like "grand narrative" "The Cloud Collection," (《摘雲集》)"The Fig Collection," (《無花果集》)and "Beyond the Strings" (《弦外集》)compiled untitled short prose in a jumping, poetic language that navigated between reality and imagination, boldly exposing the world's hypocrisy while freely expressing his thoughts on the universe and life, paving new paths for traditional prose writing.
Analyzing the linguistic features of Xiao Bai's prose, one can see that his works have the poetic ambiance, novel diction, and rhythmic cadences full of passion and repetition, making his works highly evocative. This style is particularly evident in "The Cloud Collection," (《摘雲集》)"The Fig Collection," (《無花果集》) and "Beyond the Strings," (《弦外集》)where the frequent use of line breaks creates a "poetic prose" style. Additionally, Xiao Bai's prose is characterized by "imagistic beauty," often using obscure poetic metaphors to convey personal observations and emotions.
Overall, Xiao Bai's prose exhibits a blend of lyricism and philosophical thought with a highly recognizable linguistic style. His writings reflect his admiration for the natural world, contemplation of life, and nostalgic sentiments, embodying his lifelong pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty. |