论E．M．福斯特的小说理论

E.M.福斯特努力提高小说的地位,使其进入美学范畴。福斯特把小说界定为处于诗和历史之间的艺术形式。福斯特认为小说在形式上低于诗歌。但是却高于历史,是具有创造性的艺术,是一种物质世界和精神世界相混合的产物。福斯特承认作家在小说创作过程中处于潜意识状态,强调想象和现实世界在小说创作中的作用。福斯特认为小说表现时间生活的同时表现价值生活;小说中的人物高于现实中的人物,具有真实性;最后福斯特认为小说提供信息,创造气氛,是一种独立自主的有机体,给人以美的享受。

Discussion about E.M.Forster's novel theory

E. M. Forster makes great efforts to elevate the novel into the range of esthetics. He defines the novel as an art form lying between history and poetry, and argues that the novel is inferior to poetry but superior to history. Forster admits the facts that the novelists are in the state of sub-consciousness and the imagination and outside world play important roles in writing novels. Forster argues that the characters in the novel are more realistic than those in the reality, and the novel is a self-contained entity and makes readers to enjoy esthetics by providing information and creating atmosphere.