第 12 节
作者:
忙 更新:2021-02-27 02:14 字数:9322
'2' Mr。 Tylor gives an account of the Cistercian gesture…language in his ‘Early History of Mankind' (2nd edit。 1870; p。 40); and makes some remarks on the principle of opposition in gestures。
'3' See on this subject Dr。 W。 R。 Scott's interesting work; ‘The Deaf and Dumb;' 2nd edit。 1870; p。 12。 He says; 〃This contracting of natural gestures into much shorter gestures than the natural expression requires; is very common amongst the deaf and dumb。 This contracted gesture is frequently so shortened as nearly to lose all semblance of the natural one; but to the deaf and dumb who use it; it still has the force of the original expression。〃
Many signs; moreover; which plainly stand in opposition to each other; appear to have had on both sides a significant origin。 This seems to hold good with the signs used by the deal and dumb for light and darkness; for strength and weakness; &c。 In a future chapter I shall endeavour to show that the opposite gestures of affirmation and negation; namely; vertically nodding and laterally shaking the head; have both probably had a natural beginning。 The waving of the hand from right to left; which is used as a negative by some savages; may have been invented in imitation of shaking the head; but whether the opposite movement of waving the hand in a straight line from the face; which is used in affirmation; has arisen through antithesis or in some quite distinct manner; is doubtful。
If we now turn to the gestures which are innate or common to all the individuals of the same species; and which come under the present head of antithesis; it is extremely doubtful; whether any of them were at first deliberately invented and consciously performed。 With mankind the best instance of a gesture standing in direct opposition to other movements; naturally assumed under an opposite frame of mind; is that of shrugging the shoulders。 This expresses impotence or an apology;something which cannot be done; or cannot be avoided。 The gesture is sometimes used consciously and voluntarily; but it is extremely improbable that it was at first deliberately invented; and afterwards fixed by habit; for not only do young children sometimes shrug their shoulders under the above states of mind; but the movement is accompanied; as will be shown in a future chapter; by various subordinate movements; which not one man in a thousand is aware of; unless he has specially attended to the subject。
Dogs when approaching a strange dog; may find it useful to show by their movements that they are friendly; and do not wish to fight。 When two young dogs in play are growling and biting each other's faces and legs; it is obvious that they mutually understand each other's gestures and manners。 There seems; indeed; some degree of instinctive knowledge in puppies and kittens; that they must not use their sharp little teeth or claws too freely in their play; though this sometimes happens and a squeal is the result; otherwise they would often injure each other's eyes。 When my terrier bites my hand in play; often snarling at the same time; if he bites too hard and I say GENTLY; GENTLY; he goes on biting; but answers me by a few wags of the tail; which seems to say 〃Never mind; it is all fun。〃 Although dogs do thus express; and may wish to express; to other dogs and to man; that they are in a friendly state of mind; it is incredible that they could ever have deliberately thought of drawing back and depressing their ears; instead of holding them erect;of lowering and wagging their tails; instead of keeping them stiff and upright; &c。; because they knew that these movements stood in direct opposition to those assumed under an opposite and savage frame of mind。
Again; when a cat; or rather when some early progenitor of the species; from feeling affectionate first slightly arched its back; held its tail perpendicularly upwards and pricked its ears; can it be believed that the animal consciously wished thus to show that its frame of mind was directly the reverse of that; when from being ready to fight or to spring on its prey; it assumed a crouching attitude; curled its tail from side to side and depressed its ears? Even still less can I believe that my dog voluntarily put on his dejected attitude and 〃_hot…house face_;〃 which formed so complete a contrast to his previous cheerful attitude and whole bearing。 It cannot be supposed that he knew that I should understand his expression; and that he could thus soften my heart and make me give up visiting the hot…house。
Hence for the development of the movements which come under the present head; some other principle; distinct from the will and consciousness; must have intervened。 This principle appears to be that every movement which we have voluntarily performed throughout our lives has required the action of certain muscles; and when we have performed a directly opposite movement; an opposite set of muscles has been habitually brought into play; as in turning to the right or to the left; in pushing away or pulling an object towards us; and in lifting or lowering a weight。 So strongly are our intentions and movements associated together; that if we eagerly wish an object to move in any direction; we can hardly avoid moving our bodies in the same direction; although we may be perfectly aware that this can have no influence。 A good illustration of this fact has already been given in the Introduction; namely; in the grotesque movements of a young and eager billiard…player; whilst watching the course of his ball。 A man or child in a passion; if he tells any one in a loud voice to begone; generally moves his arm as if to push him away; although the offender may not be standing near; and although there may be not the least need to explain by a gesture what is meant。 On the other hand; if we eagerly desire some one to approach us closely; we act as if pulling him towards us; and so in innumerable other instances。
As the performance of ordinary movements of an opposite kind; under opposite impulses of the will; has become habitual in us and in the lower animals; so when actions of one kind have become firmly associated with any sensation or emotion; it appears natural that actions of a directly opposite kind; though of no use; should be unconsciously performed through habit and association; under the influence of a directly opposite sensation or emotion。 On this principle alone can I understand how the gestures and expressions which come under the present head of antithesis have originated。 If indeed they are serviceable to man or to any other animal; in aid of inarticulate cries or language; they will likewise be voluntarily employed; and the habit will thus be strengthened。 But whether or not of service as a means of communication; the tendency to perform opposite movements under opposite sensations or emotions would; if we may judge by analogy; become hereditary through long practice; and there cannot be a doubt that several expressive movements due to the principle of antithesis are inherited。
CHAPTER III。
GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF EXPRESSION_concluded_。
The principle of direct action of the excited nervous system on the body; independently of the will and in part of habit Change of colour in the hairTrembling of the muscles Modified secretionsPerspirationExpression of extreme pain Of rage; great joy; and terrorContrast between the emotions which cause and do not cause expressive movementsExciting and depressing states of the mindSummary。
WE now come to our third Principle; namely; that certain actions which we recognize as expressive of certain states of the mind; are the direct result of the constitution of the nervous system; and have been from the first independent of the will; and; to a large extent; of habit。 When the sensorium is strongly excited nerve…force is generated in excess; and is transmitted in certain directions; dependent on the connection of the nerve…cells; and; as far as the muscular system is concerned; on the nature of the movements which have been habitually practised。 Or the supply of nerve…force may; as it appears; be interrupted。 Of course every movement which we make is determined by the constitution of the nervous system; but actions performed in obedience to the will; or through habit; or through the principle of antithesis; are here as far as possible excluded。 Our present subject is very obscure; but; from its importance; must be discussed at some little length; and it is always advisable to perceive clearly our ignorance。
The most striking case; though a rare and abnormal one; which can be adduced of the direct influence of the nervous system; when strongly affected; on the body; is the loss of colour in the hair; which has occasionally been observed after extreme terror or grief。 One authentic instance has been recorded; in the case of a man brought out for execution in India; in which the change of colour was so rapid that it was perceptible to the eye。'1'
Another good case is that of the trembling of the muscles; which is common to man and to many; or most; of the lower animals。 Trembling is of no service; often of much disservice; and cannot have been at first acquired through the will; and then rendered habitual in association with any em