论八股文长期沿用的文化机制

八股文是一种相当僵化的文体,自明代开始,对八股文的批评几乎无时或息,但它为什么能够长期沿用达五百多年之久呢?主要有三个方面的原因:一是这种文体用于科举考试体现了统治者巩固体制、维护道统的需要;二是用这种特殊文体试士,对选拔人才有一定作用;三是长期形成的八股文化学术体系,对这种取士制度起到了极大的支撑作用,并形成了一种稳定的文化环境。

On the Cultural Mechanism of the Long- term Existence of Eight- part Essay

Eight- part essay is a kind of stereotyped writing style, the criticism of which has hardly ceased since the Ming Dynasty. However, it has been used for as long as five hundred years, for which there are three main reasons: firstly, it is employed in imperial examination system so as to satisfy the demand of ruling class for consolidating system and maintaining doctrines; secondly, used to test scholars, it makes contributions to the selection of talented people; lastly, the long- existing stereotyped cultural and academic system supports to a large degree imperial examination system, in which eight- part essay is employed, and forms a steady cultural environment as well.