通過音樂來想象共同體,是英國文學中古往今來的普遍現象。我們可以在菲莉絲·韋利弗所做工作的基礎上,把相關研究的范圍從1840年至1910年的英國小說擴大到整個英國文學史。在優秀的英國文學作品中,無論是音樂事件,還是音樂場景,或是音樂意象,都強烈地呼喚著民族認同感,都為公共領域的構建、公共文化的建設提供了啟示。在這些音樂事件/場景/意象的背后,是各種社會/政治話語的交集和互動,是世代文學家為重塑共同體的不斷努力。

It is a widespread phenomenon in English literature, from ancient to modern times, to imagine community through music.The seminal work that Phyllis Weliver has done in the relevant research area can be used as a valid basis on which similar explorations are expanded throughout the whole history of English literature. In a literary work of excellence in Great Britain, either musical events/scenes or musical images tend to evoke a strong sense of national identity, thus providing inspirations for forming public spheres and fostering public culture. Behind these musical events/scenes/images are the intersections and interactions of diverse social/political discourses and, furthermore, the constant efforts by generations of literati to shape and reshape their communities.