梭罗与中国文化的早期接触

从中西文化交流史中来看,梭罗及其超验主义同仁不约而同将视线投向中国,是18世纪欧洲掀起的"中国热"辐射到美国的结果.但就单独的个体而言,梭罗对于中国文化的兴趣,与他自身的学术背景有着必然的关联.两个重要因素奠定了梭罗的思想,一是求学哈佛;二是和爱默生的交往.在这两个因素的作用下,梭罗开始接触中国文化.

Thoreau's Early Contact with Chinese Culture

Observed from the history of Eastern and Western cultural exchange,the attention of Thoreau and his Transcendental associates to China resulted from the radiation of Europe's enthusiasm in Orient to America in the 18th century.As an individual,however,Thoreau was engaged in,and intimated himself with Chinese culture,studied and finally absorbed it which actually constituted part of his academic background.Two factors played important roles in the formation of Thoreau's academic thought.One was his four years' stay at Harvard;the other was his friendship with Emerson who exerted profound influences on his literary career.Then,Thoreau began his early stage of contacting with Chinese culture.