存在的後現代變異：成英姝小說的荒謬主題與暴力敘事 台灣的存在主義小說，曾經在六、七○年代出現創作的高峰期，到了九○年 代，創造存在意義與超越生存困境此一存在主義的基本關懷，則被後現代和後殖 民強調的差異與多元認同，稀釋到族群、性別、身分、歷史記憶等議題的書寫之 中，不再特別被凸顯，存在主義似乎是過時且消失了。 然而隨著資本主義在台灣的深化，資本主義的工具理性與物化危機所造成 的自我喪失、日常生活全面異化與人際疏離等問題更形嚴重，新世代作家注意到 這個問題，而又重新開始思考人存在的意義，揭露人在後現代社會面臨的各種卑 微荒謬的處境。存在主義於是在新世代小說中復活，但已非復六、七○年代存在 主義小說的面貌，而是融入後現代的情境之中，產生了存在的變異，成英姝的小 說就是一個值得觀察卻為人忽略的例子。 若從存在的後現代變異的角度切入，分析成英姝小說中的荒謬主題和暴力敘 事之間的關係，一方面可以從世代差異的角度，探討在後現代社會和思潮的影響 下，人的存在狀態面臨了什麼樣的荒謬困境與終極追尋；其中注入的暴力元素， 又是如何反應後現代社會的價值觀與美學需求；由此發展出的存在狀態，將具有 什麼樣的限制或突破，對於存在主義有何種顛覆與變異？這便可以看出存在主義 在不同時代／世代之中被拆解和轉化的情形。另一方面，成英姝小說在展示後現 代與性別跨界等議題時，織入了對存在問題的思考，不同的思想論述又是如何交 會雜揉，呈現新世代小說兼容並蓄的雜匯風格？這些問題關乎著存在主義的世代 差異和演變特徵，也是聯繫現代和後現代文學發展的重要課題。 Postmodern changes in existence: absurdist topics and violent narratives in Cheng Ing-Chu’s novels Taiwanese existentialist novels were on their peak during the 60s and 70s. By the 90s, however, the central themes of existentialist novels such as creating the meaning of existence and transcending existential dilemmas had been diluted by postmodernism and postcolonialism into writings about ethnicity, gender, identity and historical memory. Existentialism seemed to be outdated and have in effect disappeared. During the 90s, the further development of capitalism have resulted in several problems such as the loss of self, the total alienation of everyday life and the profoundly estranged human relationship. These problems have been perceived by New Generation novelists and some of the latter have resumed the contemplation upon the meaning of human existence, together with revealing the diminished and even absurd human condition in postmodern society. Existentialist novels therefore came to life again, only this time not in its old forms of the 60s and 70s. It was incorporated into postmodern contexts, creating a change in existence; the novels of Cheng Ing-Chu are worthy of observation but frequently overlooked. From the perspective of postmodern changes in existence to analyze the relationship of absurdist topics and violent narratives in novels by Cheng Ing-Chu, it is possible to take the view of generational differences to explore the absurd obstacles and ultimate pursuits faced by human existence under the influence of postmodern society and thought. How is the element of violence reflective of postmodern values and aesthetic needs? What limits or breakthroughs would the state of existence that developed from this have, and how would this affect and change existentialism? This can show the demolition and transference of existentialism in different eras/generations. On the other hand, when Cheng Ing-Chu’s novels express issues such as postmodernity and gender-crossing, it interweaves consideration of the existence question. How do different thoughts and discourses meet and mingle to express the blended style of new-generation novels? These questions are related to the generational changes and evolutionary characteristics of existentialism, and are important issues that connect modern and postmodern literary development.
