漱石文庫所蔵Tolstoy : What is Art ?にみられる漱石の書き入れについて

抄録

　Sōseki Natsume stayed in London to study English literature from 1900 to 1902. He had a plan to write a book which was later published as The Bungakuron (Literary Theory). He seems to have read Tolstoy’s What is Art ? in those days. In this book, Sōseki wrote down in English his impressions and opinions and made underlines for memory. These “notes” rather than Tolstoy’s influence on him represent clear connection with his later works.

　They have four aspects. First, Sōseki had long been puzzled about how to define the nature of literature. This problem was what he could not forget long afterwards, and the writing of the “Bungakuron” did not mean that he had clearly resolved the problem. He had this problem by reading Tolstoy’s work. Secondly, Sōseki thought that the essential quality of literature is emotion, and the value of literature is determined by the intensity of emotion the reader gets. On the other hand, Tolstoy thought it is “feeling”, and the intensity of the reader’s feeling that is affected by the artist decides the value of the work. Though direct influence of Tolstoy on Sōseki is not seen, it is interesting to see the similarity of the two writers. Thirdly, Tolstoy said that the appreciation of art is universal without distinction of nation or the ability of man. Sōseki expressed disapproval of this. This came about because Sōseki had strongly felt the distinction between Chinese literature and English literature in his early days, and he was long annoyed in identifying them. Fourthly, he criticized the civilization of Europe in the 19th century. As for this, Sōseki’s opinion is the same as Tolstoy’s. While Tolstoy appreciated the European civilization yet became critical of it, Sōseki was distressed about the difference between European and Japanese culture. They, however, have similar opinions, that is they both esteem wholesome humanity.

　As shown above, Sōseki made his thought clear by commenting in the Tolstoy work. Though these raw “notes” are not put in order, they serve to give us information about his early thought.