浙江 周 萍
讀后續(xù)寫題型的文章多為記敘文。記敘文的敘事結(jié)構(gòu)分開頭、中間、結(jié)尾三個(gè)部分:開頭呈現(xiàn)情境,為事件的發(fā)生和發(fā)展做出說明;中間是記敘文的主要部分,講述事件發(fā)生的過程,通常包含不同形式的沖突;結(jié)尾揭示動(dòng)作的意義。因此,精心設(shè)計(jì)故事結(jié)尾,能夠給讀者留下深刻的印象和回味的空間,讓人久久不忘。然而,很多學(xué)生一方面不夠重視結(jié)尾設(shè)計(jì),另一方面寫作時(shí)間不夠用,所以在續(xù)寫時(shí),有的學(xué)生的故事結(jié)束得潦草敷衍,有些結(jié)尾異常生硬,還有些沒有扣住主題,比較松散。
因此,筆者在日常的讀后續(xù)寫教學(xué)中,在引導(dǎo)學(xué)生重視故事的結(jié)尾設(shè)計(jì)的同時(shí),還對(duì)于如何精心設(shè)計(jì)結(jié)尾提出了具體的指導(dǎo)策略。
主題是某種觀念、某種意義、某種對(duì)人物或事件的詮釋,是體現(xiàn)在整個(gè)作品中對(duì)生活的深刻而又融貫統(tǒng)一的觀點(diǎn)。在讀后續(xù)寫題的給定材料中,命題者或直接闡明或若隱若現(xiàn)地給出了文章的主旨大意,它是學(xué)生續(xù)寫的方向、前提假設(shè)和已知條件。明確故事主題有助于找到正確的邏輯線索,從而按照正確的方向發(fā)展和續(xù)寫故事。因此,在閱讀故事時(shí),有必要先明確故事的主題語(yǔ)境是人與自然、人與社會(huì),還是人與自我。人與自然體現(xiàn)人與環(huán)境、動(dòng)植物之間的關(guān)系;人與社會(huì)強(qiáng)調(diào)的是人與大的社會(huì)環(huán)境的交往與互動(dòng);人與自我則以自我為指向,注重自身的發(fā)展與完善。明確這一點(diǎn)之后,再進(jìn)一步縮小范圍。
讀后續(xù)寫的故事通常以真實(shí)世界為基礎(chǔ),無科學(xué)幻想,無童話傳說,所以,根據(jù)故事的內(nèi)容,從故事主人公的角度,可將故事分成三個(gè)典型且常見的類型:接受啟發(fā)型、解決問題型和施與善意型。接受啟發(fā)型通常指主人公在某一個(gè)人生的階段,依托周圍人的引導(dǎo)、鼓勵(lì)或啟示,順利走出困境。解決問題型指的是主人公遇到了困難或問題,最終憑借勇氣或智慧克服了困難,解決了問題。施與善意型則指主人公對(duì)于周圍的人施與了善意、關(guān)心和愛,這給接受者帶來了改變。以上的分類僅基于具體的讀后續(xù)寫教學(xué)實(shí)踐,并非嚴(yán)格意義上的分類討論,也并未窮盡所有的續(xù)寫類型。如故事符合上述的描述,則可根據(jù)故事的內(nèi)容,選擇續(xù)寫側(cè)重的故事類型。
在故事類型確定后,再根據(jù)不同的故事類型和語(yǔ)言特點(diǎn)來確定相應(yīng)的結(jié)尾。其中,接受啟發(fā)型故事對(duì)應(yīng)“記錄瞬間式”的結(jié)尾,解決問題型故事對(duì)應(yīng)“融情于景式”的結(jié)尾,施與善意型故事對(duì)應(yīng)“回應(yīng)點(diǎn)題式”的結(jié)尾。以不同的結(jié)尾對(duì)應(yīng)不同的故事類型,便于學(xué)生在較短的時(shí)間內(nèi),完成故事的續(xù)寫。有必要的話,教師還可以引導(dǎo)學(xué)生歸納不同結(jié)尾的句式框架,便于使用。
記錄瞬間式結(jié)尾指的是在故事結(jié)尾處,以某一個(gè)瞬間的定格來結(jié)束。讀后續(xù)寫的故事中,有很多主人公因父母、老師或朋友的鼓勵(lì)產(chǎn)生了較大的觸動(dòng),即上文所提及的接受啟發(fā)型故事。此類故事,在結(jié)尾處可拉長(zhǎng)故事的時(shí)間線,指向未來,如:Many years later 或Nowadays,跳出故事原本的時(shí)間和空間,說明重要人物的支持對(duì)主人公產(chǎn)生的影響有了具體的結(jié)果,同時(shí)體現(xiàn)出主人公對(duì)于這種啟發(fā)和鼓勵(lì)的珍惜。這將增加故事的可讀性,給讀者留下深刻的印象。
【教學(xué)案例1】
浙江省某中學(xué)高二測(cè)試的讀后續(xù)寫給定材料的故事梗概為:“我”參加學(xué)校的戲劇表演,原定的角色是公主,但是因?yàn)橐徽旧吓_(tái),就記不住臺(tái)詞,老師決定把“我”的角色換成旁白?!拔摇焙懿婚_心?;丶页晕顼垥r(shí),媽媽沒有像往常一樣,和“我”一起練臺(tái)詞,反而把“我”帶到院子里。院子里有玫瑰,還有蒲公英。媽媽說要把雜草全部鋤去,只剩下玫瑰?!拔摇辈煌?,認(rèn)為每朵花都有自己的美麗之處。
通過閱讀可知,故事的主人公是一個(gè)還在讀小學(xué)的女孩。參加學(xué)校戲劇表演反映了該續(xù)寫的主題為學(xué)校生活,且故事圍繞她對(duì)于公主和旁白兩個(gè)角色的理解展開,所以可以確定故事的主題語(yǔ)境為“人與自我”中的“認(rèn)識(shí)自我,豐富自我,完善自我”。故事中除“我”之外的重要角色是媽媽,隨著故事的發(fā)展,“我”對(duì)于旁白這一幕后角色的認(rèn)知和理解有所變化,這與媽媽的啟發(fā)和引導(dǎo)密不可分,所以故事類型為“接受啟發(fā)型”。
給定材料的第一段對(duì)“我在讀小學(xué)時(shí)回家吃午飯”這一背景專門做了介紹。段末是這樣寫的“Actually,our lunch time together in the past year had had a great influence on my life before I realized it.”和家人一起的中餐時(shí)間對(duì)“我”今后的人生產(chǎn)生了影響。這可以作為故事繼續(xù)發(fā)展的邏輯線索。在故事結(jié)尾時(shí),應(yīng)該提及。同時(shí),故事中的“princess,narrator”和“rose,dandelion”呈現(xiàn)出兩組對(duì)應(yīng)關(guān)系,即公主就像玫瑰一樣光彩照人,蒲公英像旁白一樣樸實(shí)無華。續(xù)寫的重點(diǎn)應(yīng)落在蒲公英和旁白上。此外,從續(xù)寫兩段的段首句“Do you mean that every flower has its own beauty?”asked my mother thoughtfully.和“But you will be a beautiful narrator,”Mom said.可以推斷,媽媽將會(huì)由不同的花的魅力談到不同角色的價(jià)值,以此啟發(fā)和引導(dǎo)“我”,使“我”擺脫之前郁悶、沮喪的情緒,最終找到自己的定位。所以,以珍藏某個(gè)場(chǎng)景的記憶來結(jié)束故事,可以延續(xù)故事的邏輯,體現(xiàn)媽媽的引導(dǎo)所產(chǎn)生的影響。完成的續(xù)寫作品如下:
“Do you mean that every flower has its own beauty?”asked my mother thoughtfully.I nodded without hesitation,staring at the yellow dandelion shining in the sun.“The same to you,”she added.“Not everyone can be a rose,and it is also an honor to be a dandelion.”Knowing that my mother had guessed my pain,I began to pour out my unease.She listened to me patiently and patted me on the back tenderly.I told my mother I was unwilling to give up the role of princess,which meant my efforts was in vain.
“But you will be a beautiful narrator,”Mom said.She reminded me of how fluently I could deliver my part at home.Only then did I realize that maybe I was more suitable for a role backstage.I practiced my lines heart and soul with my mother at lunch time for weeks.The performance that night was eventually a big success.Nowadays,I have become a famous narrator.On the wall of my office are two pictures —a picture of the yellow dandelions taken by me and another one of a confident girl standing backstage in the school play taken by my mother.
(注:劃線句為故事的結(jié)尾。下同。)
習(xí)作中,先以表演成功對(duì)這個(gè)故事中的主要事件結(jié)果作交代,同時(shí),繼續(xù)拉長(zhǎng)故事的時(shí)間維度,說明“我”現(xiàn)在已經(jīng)成為了一名解說員,這體現(xiàn)了媽媽的引導(dǎo)產(chǎn)生的影響,最后提到辦公桌上的兩張照片,一張是“我”拍攝的樸素但熱烈的蒲公英,另一張是媽媽拍攝的“我”作為旁白參加戲劇表演的樣子,既連接了mother’s inspiration,又串起了關(guān)鍵詞dandelion 和narrator,非常自然。
從某種程度上說,讀后續(xù)寫中,多數(shù)故事是解決問題類型的。Macken-Horarik 認(rèn)為,記敘文的四個(gè)構(gòu)成要素包括定位(orientation)——提供與角色處境相關(guān)的信息,問題(complication)——介紹角色需要解決的問題,評(píng)價(jià)(evaluation)——突出事件對(duì)角色的意義,以及決斷(resolution)——解決問題。記敘文將角色置于特定的場(chǎng)景,以此烘托人物的性格特征,把需要處理的問題作為導(dǎo)致人物行為改變的契機(jī),通過評(píng)價(jià)和決斷強(qiáng)化變化產(chǎn)生的意義,增加事件的合理性。因問題通常得以解決,所以在結(jié)尾處,主人公會(huì)表現(xiàn)出開心、自豪、感動(dòng)和充滿成就感等積極正向的情緒,此時(shí)可以用微風(fēng)、鳥鳴、陽(yáng)光、月光和落日等體現(xiàn)美好的自然景物進(jìn)行襯托和融合。
【教學(xué)案例2】
浙江省某中學(xué)高二測(cè)試的讀后續(xù)寫給定材料的故事梗概為:Today my parents and I would go zip lining(高空滑索).It was my first time experiencing something like this.Although I was excited about this activity,I thought of my fear of heights as it approached.I became nervous and anxious when I looked down the cliff.
整個(gè)故事的結(jié)構(gòu)非常清晰,雖然有父母與教練等人,但故事的中心聚焦在“我”如何克服害怕,完成高空滑索這一任務(wù)上,所以主題語(yǔ)境仍然為“人與自我”,強(qiáng)調(diào)自我成長(zhǎng)。故事的類型也很明顯,是解決問題型。在給定材料中,主人公的情緒有一個(gè)變化的過程,剛開始對(duì)此非常興奮,但當(dāng)“我”在去高空滑索的路上,“我”想到了自己的恐高癥,開始感到緊張和害怕。從續(xù)寫的段首句“Alright y’all,time to hit the trails!” said the instructor with too much enthusiasm.和My turn finally came.推斷,最終我克服了困難,解決了問題。所以,以愉快、興奮和充滿成就感的情緒結(jié)束故事比較合適。而且,故事本身就有多處描寫景物,以景物來襯托心情的句子,如:
The sun was out,making a warm and bright morning.
Half way through the ride,the sun grew hot,and the leather on the seats burned my legs.
We were basically there by now,the sun still blazing hot.
My heart skipped a beat when the wind howled,blowing leaves and twigs in the trees.
因此在故事的結(jié)尾延續(xù)對(duì)這些景物的描寫,不僅能夠延續(xù)故事的語(yǔ)言風(fēng)格,而且能夠融情于景,抒發(fā)我的喜悅之情。完成的續(xù)寫作品如下:
“Alright y’all,time to hit the trails!”said the instructor with too much enthusiasm.My parents hit the trails with full confidence,but my palm was sweating and I couldn’t do that.“Don’t worry,boy,just look at how your Dad do!”Dad clenched the line,slipping down without a second thought.As he got to the ground,he waved to me at the opposite side.A chill of fear went down my spine the instant I stepped on the edge of the cliff.At the moment,the instructor pushed me down,my mind was blank and every part of me was plunged into fear.
My turn finally came.A mixed feeling of fear and excitement seized me.Closing my eyes,I was determined to start.Just at that moment,all of my fear vanished and I felt like that I was flying like a bird.After some seconds,I was on the ground.I was enveloped with overwhelming delight and I gave a bone-crushing hug to my parents.I yelled at the top of my lung,“I made it! I made it!”My parents grinned.The sun was still blazing hot and the wind still howled in the mountains,but at that time they were so comfortable and pleasant for me.
故事的結(jié)尾,再一次提到了太陽(yáng)和狂風(fēng)。之前,炙熱的太陽(yáng)讓“我”不舒服,狂風(fēng)讓膽小的“我”顫抖恐懼,而此時(shí),它們對(duì)于成功克服恐懼、志滿意得的“我”,竟是那樣的舒適宜人。這之間的對(duì)比,讓讀者不禁莞爾,充分體現(xiàn)了以景襯情、融情于景的寫作方法。
美國(guó)語(yǔ)言學(xué)家拉波夫提出,一個(gè)完整的敘事結(jié)構(gòu)應(yīng)包含以下六個(gè)部分:點(diǎn)題、指向、進(jìn)展、評(píng)議、結(jié)局和回應(yīng)?;貞?yīng)作為敘事結(jié)構(gòu)的一部分,可以理解為點(diǎn)題,讓人回到敘述的起點(diǎn),引發(fā)人們對(duì)整個(gè)故事的思考,有時(shí)會(huì)傳遞一定的價(jià)值觀?;貞?yīng)點(diǎn)題式結(jié)尾指的是在結(jié)尾處呼應(yīng)故事開頭的重要細(xì)節(jié)或點(diǎn)明故事的主題,既能保證故事在前面的伏筆達(dá)成效果,又能讓讀者對(duì)故事有一個(gè)完整的印象。一般將回應(yīng)點(diǎn)題式結(jié)尾運(yùn)用于施與善意型故事中,用以說明善良不僅給接受者帶來改變,而且讓施與者自己對(duì)自己、生活或他人產(chǎn)生與故事開始時(shí)不同的印象或感悟。同時(shí),在結(jié)尾處點(diǎn)題,只要一兩句話,點(diǎn)到即可,無需長(zhǎng)篇大論,畫蛇添足。
【教學(xué)案例3】
浙江省某市高三測(cè)試的讀后續(xù)寫題型給定材料的情節(jié)概要是:At noon that day,I drove back to my house after the performance.Just as I entered the living room,I heard a gentle sound coming from the bedroom upstairs.The thief was a boy of about 12 years old.When I saw his eyes full of fear and despair,I took him for“Michael”,Mr.Ram’s nephew,a person who didn’t actually exist.I also gave my favourite violin to him after the boy told me he liked the violin but could not afford it.
故事發(fā)生在“我”與一個(gè)陌生的男孩之間,所以從主題語(yǔ)境的角度,可以確定為“人與社會(huì)”。而且,“我”對(duì)男孩的善良和照顧在文中體現(xiàn)得非常直白,所以故事類型應(yīng)歸為“施與善意型”。故事的開頭并無特別,但轉(zhuǎn)折發(fā)生在“我”看到了男孩眼中的害怕和絕望時(shí)?!拔摇本幜艘粋€(gè)謊言,此后“我”還慷慨地把小提琴送給了男孩,讓他能夠堅(jiān)持自己的音樂夢(mèng)想。故事中,“我”編造的那段話“Are you Mr.Ram’s nephew,Michael? I’m his housekeeper.Two days ago,I heard his nephew living in the countryside will come.It must be you.You’re really like him!”和給定材料的最后部分,I was sure that the boy had understood what happened because no one would decorate the living room with the housekeeper’s photo.既是故事的重點(diǎn),也是理解故事主題的難點(diǎn)。從續(xù)寫的段首句A few years later,I was invited to be a judge at a music competition of senior high school students.和 After the competition,“Michael”ran to me,holding a violin box.可以推斷出,男孩一直在練習(xí)小提琴,并且發(fā)生了巨大的改變。故事最后應(yīng)點(diǎn)明主題,這樣才能體現(xiàn)故事存在的價(jià)值和傳達(dá)的意義。完成的續(xù)寫作品如下:
A few years later,I was invited to be a judge at a music competition of senior high school students.Fascinated by the gentle sound of one participant,I was wholeheartedly impressed by his wonderful performance.As I looked up at the performer,I was astonished to see a thin face,so familiar,yet now lit up with joy and confidence.The“thief ”! I couldn’t believe my eyes,with my mouth open,my heart filled with questions.Before I could figure everything out,a burst of applause erupted from the audience.Undoubtedly,he ranked first in the competition.
After the competition,“Michael”ran to me,holding a violin box.He asked with a slight tremble in his voice,his face blushed with excitement,“Sir,do you recognize me? The nephew! It’s your kindness that enlightens my life,so does your violin.Today,I can return it to you without regret.”He handed the violin box to me.With mixed feelings,I couldn’t even bring out a word.Never had I anticipated that a tiny white lie would inject such great power into the boy and change his life completely.
用“我完全沒有想到,一個(gè)善意的謊言對(duì)男孩有如此大的力量,而且改變了他的人生?!眮碜鳛榻Y(jié)尾既呼應(yīng)了之前的謊言,也點(diǎn)明了故事的主題,即善意帶來改變。
讀后續(xù)寫故事的結(jié)構(gòu)各有不同,但只要明確故事的主題,區(qū)分故事的類型,對(duì)應(yīng)相應(yīng)的結(jié)尾,就能較好地完成結(jié)尾的設(shè)計(jì)。值得一提的是,以上類型并不能面面俱到。在熟練掌握各種類型后,學(xué)生可以自由選擇,甚至可以自己歸納、總結(jié)不同的故事類型,設(shè)計(jì)不同的結(jié)尾,以達(dá)成最終目標(biāo),即講一個(gè)令人回味悠長(zhǎng)、有所啟迪的故事。