International Communication Studies in Literature and Art
ICSLA, Vol. 2, No. 1, 2026, pp.21-29.
Print ISSN: 3079-2711; Online ISSN: 3104-5081
Journal homepage: https://www.icslajournal.com
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64058/icsla260103smtun
——评“烂柯记”与《瑞普·凡·温克尔》
张俊萍（Zhang Junping），冯泽寰（Feng Zehuan）
摘要：中国古代的“烂柯记”传说与早期美国文学短篇《瑞普·凡·温克尔》是比较文学中一个经典的跨文化案例。本文超越传统的主题式比较，尝试从“非自然叙事学”的理论视角切入，将二者作为“非自然时空建构”的独特范本进行剖析。两则故事的核心叙事机制均在于构建了一个“反直觉物理性”的时空模型：主人公在短暂的主观时间内，客观世界已历经沧桑巨变。本文旨在辨析这一高度同构的叙事时空模型，挖掘其背后所隐含的截然不同的历史语境和情感诉求——“烂柯”中王质的时间体验导向了对尘世存在的疏离与超越，而瑞普的经历则将历史创伤转化为个人奇遇，从而对美国建国神话中被压抑的焦虑与失落进行协商与和解，以确立全新的美利坚民族身份。
关键词：非自然叙事；《瑞普·凡·温克尔》；“烂柯记”；时空变形
作者简介：张俊萍，江南大学外语学院教授、硕导，研究方向：比较文学与世界文学、小说理论，电邮：jndxzjp@163.com。冯泽寰（通讯作者），上海外国语大学在读博士，研究方向：美国文学，电邮：285449141@qq.com。
Title: “Spatio-temporal Metamorphosis” Tales under Unnatural Narratology: On the Tale of “The Story of the Rotten Axe-Handle” and Rip Van Wrinkle
Abstract: The ancient Chinese legend “The Story of the Rotten Axe-Handle” and the early American short story Rip Van Winkle constitutes a classic cross-cultural case in comparative literature. Going beyond traditional thematic comparison, this paper attempts to analyze the two works as unique models of “unnatural spatio-temporal construction” from the theoretical perspective of “unnatural narratology.” The core narrative mechanism of both stories lies in the construction of a spatio-temporal metamorphosis model with “counter-intuitive physicality”: within a brief subjective time of the protagonist, the objective world has undergone tremendous vicissitudes. This paper aims to analyze and distinguish this highly isomorphic narrative spatio-temporal model, and explore the distinct historical contexts and emotional aspirations implied behind it—in “The Story of the Rotten Axe-Handle,” Wang Zhi’s temporal experience leads to alienation from and transcendence of mundane existence; whereas Rip’s experience transforms historical trauma into a personal adventure, thereby negotiating and reconciling the repressed anxiety and loss in the American founding myth, so as to establish a new American national identity.
Key words: unnatural narrative; Rip Van Wrinkle; “The Story of the Rotten Axe-Handle”; spatiotemporal metamorphosis
Author Biographies: Zhang Junping is a professor and master’s supervisor of English from School of Foreign Studies, Jiangnan University. specializing in comparative literature and world literature, especially fiction studies. E-mail: jndxzjp@163.com. Feng Zehuan (Corresponding Author), is a doctoral candidate from Shanghai International Studies University. specializing in American Literature. E-mail: 285449141@qq.com.
Received: 25 Mar 2026 / Revised: 22 Apr 2026 / Accepted: 24 Apr 2026 / Published online: 30 Apr 2026 / Print published: 30 May 2026.
