The History of Rasselas,Prince of Abissinia

《The History of Rasselas,Prince of Abissinia》是一部哲理小說，小說作者是塞繆爾·詹森。

基本介紹

• 中文名稱：The History of Rasselas,Prince of Abissinia
• 別名：歷史王子
• 作者：塞繆爾·詹森
• 類型：哲理小說

作品簡介

此書是啟蒙時代英國作家，詩人，文學評論家和詞典撰寫者塞繆爾·詹森（Samuel Johnson）唯一的的一本哲理小說，該書以思想敏銳、構思精巧，筆力雄健、文詞優美著稱，在約翰生時代便廣為流傳，至今仍然是西方經典之文學作品之一。

內容簡介

從前，在至樂的幸福谷中住著一位王子。他厭倦了谷中的享樂生活，出逃去尋找真正的幸福。他和同伴周遊列國，歷盡艱險，尋訪在常人看來擁有幸福的各種人，以求關於人生的教誨，但結果總是出人意料…… 借了這童話般的故事，作者引領讀者“遊歷”各色人生，以哲人的睿智 審視世人慕求的種種“幸福”，助人破除臆解，領悟人生與幸福的真義。

Rasselas and his companions escape the pleasures of the "happy valley" in order to make their "choice of life." By witnessing the misfortunes and miseries of others they come to understand the nature of happiness, and value it more highly. Their travels and enquiries raise important practical and philosophical questions concerning many aspects of the human condition, including the business of a poet, the stability of reason, the immortality of the soul, and how to find contentment.

'What then is to be done? said Rasselas; the more we inquire, the less we can resolve.' Rasselas and his companions escape the pleasures of the 'happy valley' in order to make their 'choice of life'. By witnessing the misfortunes and miseries of others they may come to understand the nature of happiness, and value it more highly. Their travels and enquiries raise important practical and philosophical questions concerning many aspects of the human condition, including the business of a poet, the stability of reason, the immortality of the soul, and how to find contentment. Johnson's adaptation of the popular oriental tale displays his usual wit and perceptiveness; sceptical and probing, his tale nevertheless suggests that wisdom and self-knowledge need not be entirely beyond reach. This new edition relates the novel to Johnson's life and thought and to politics, society, and the global context of the Seven Years War. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

作者簡介

塞繆爾·詹森（Samuel Johnson），英國作家、文學評論家和詩人。1728年進入牛津大學學習。因家貧而中途輟學。1737年開始為《紳士雜誌》撰寫文章。以後自編周刊《漫步者》(1750～1752)。經九年的奮鬥，終於編成《英語大辭典》(1755)。詹森從此揚名。1764年協助雷諾茲成立文學俱樂部，參加者有鮑斯韋爾、哥爾德斯密斯、伯克等人，對當時的文化發展起了推動作用。一生重要作品有長詩《倫敦》(1738)、《人類欲望的虛幻》(1749)、《阿比西尼亞王子》(1759)等。還編注了《莎士比亞集》(1765)。

作品目錄

• Chapter 1
  
• Description of a palace in a valley.
  
• Chapter 2
  
• The discontent of Rasselas in the happy valley.
  
• Chapter 3
  
• The wants of him that wants nothing.
  
• Chapter 4
  
• The prince continues to grieve and muse.
  
• Chapter 5
  
• The prince meditates his escape.
  
• Chapter 6
  
• A dissertation on the art of flying.
  
• Chapter 7
  
• The prince finds a man of learning.
  
• Chapter 8
  
• The history of Imlac.
  
• Chapter 9
  
• The history of Imlac continued.
  
• Chapter 10
  
• Imlac's history continued. A dissertation upon poetry.
  
• Chapter 11
  
• Imlac's narrative continued. A hint on pilgrimage.
  
• Chapter 12
  
• The story of Imlac continued.
  
• Chapter 13
  
• Rasselas discovers the means of escape.
  
• Chapter 14
  
• Rasselas and Imlac receive an unexpected visit.
  
• Chapter 15
  
• The prince and princess leave the valley, and see many wonders.
  
• Chapter 16
  
• They enter Cairo, and find every man happy.
  
• Chapter 17
  
• The prince associates with young men of spirit and gaiety.
  
• Chapter 18
  
• The prince finds a wise and happy man.
  
• Chapter 19
  
• A Glimpse of pastoral life.
  
• Chapter 20
  
• The dangers of prosperity..
  
• Chapter 21
  
• The happiness of solitude. The hermit's history.
  
• Chapter 22
  
• The happiness of a life led according to nature.
  
• Chapter 23
  
• The prince and his sister divide between them the work of observation
  
• Chapter 24
  
• The prince examines the happiness of high stations.
  
• Chapter 25
  
• The princess persues her enquiry with more diligence than success.
  
• Chapter 26
  
• The princess continues her remarks upon private life.
  
• Chapter 27
  
• Disquisition upon greatness.
  
• Chapter 28
  
• Rasselas and Nekayah continue their conversation.
  
• Chapter 29
  
• The debate on marriage continued.
  
• Chapter 30
  
• Imlac enters, and changes the conversation.
  
• Chapter 31
  
• 
  They visit the pyramids..
  
• Chapter 32
  
• 
  They enter the Pyramid.
  
• Chapter 33
  
• 
  The princess meets with an unexpected misfortune.
  
• Chapter 34
  
• 
  They return to Cairo without Pekuah.
  
• Chapter 35
  
• 
  The princess languishes for want of Pekuah.
  
• Chapter 36
  
• 
  Pekuah is still remembered. The progress of sorrow.
  
• Chapter 37
  
• 
  The Princess hears news of Pekuah.
  
• Chapter 38
  
• 
  The adventures of the lady Pekuah.
  
• Chapter 39
  
• 
  The adventures of Pekuah continued.
  
• Chapter 40
  
• 
  The history of a man of learning.
  
• Chapter 41
  
• 
  The astronomer discovers the cause of his uneasiness.
  
• Chapter 42
  
• 
  The opinion of the astronomer is explained and justified.
  
• Chapter 43
  
• 
  The astronomer leaves Imlac his directions.
  
• Chapter 44
  
• 
  The dangerous prevalence of imagination.
  
• Chapter 45
  
• They discourse with an old man.
  
• Chapter 46
  
• The princess and Pekuah visit the astronomer.
  
• Chapter 47
  
• The prince enters and brings a new topick.
  
• Chapter 48
  
• Imlac discourses on the nature of the soul.
  
• Chapter 49
  
• The conclusion, in which nothing is concluded.
  
• 以上來自Fiction
  

相關作品

長詩《倫敦》(1738)，《人類欲望的虛幻》(1749)，《莎士比亞集》(1765)。