《呼啸山庄》中“家仆阵容”与“复合命令”的文学密码解析

Introduction

A single, seemingly cryptic line from a classic novel can often become a significant point of linguistic and literary inquiry. In Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights, the narrator Lockwood's reflection—"Here we have the whole establishment of domestics, I suppose,' was the reflection suggested by this compound order"—presents such a puzzle. This blog post will dissect this phrase, exploring its meaning within the context of the novel, its historical implications regarding domestic service, and its function as a narrative device. By examining the specific "compound order" given, we can unlock a deeper understanding of Lockwood's character and the social dynamics at the isolated Wuthering Heights.

经典小说中一句看似晦涩的台词，常常会成为语言学和文学研究的重要切入点。在艾米莉·勃朗特的《呼啸山庄》中，叙述者洛克伍德的内心独白——“‘我猜想，这就是全部的家仆阵容了，’这个复合命令使我产生了这样的想法”——就构成了这样一个谜题。本文将剖析这个短语，探讨其在小说语境中的含义、其关于家庭服务的历史意涵，以及它作为叙事手段的功能。通过审视那个具体的“复合命令”，我们可以更深入地理解洛克伍德的性格以及呼啸山庄这个孤立环境中的社会动态。

Key Concepts and Context

To fully grasp the meaning, we must first establish the immediate context. The phrase occurs in Chapter I, shortly after Lockwood's arrival at Wuthering Heights. He is greeted by the surly landlord, Heathcliff. To attend to his guest, Heathcliff barks a command to his servant, Joseph: "Joseph, take Mr. Lockwood's horse; and bring up some wine."

This single sentence containing two distinct directives—one concerning the stable, the other the cellar—is what Lockwood internally labels a "compound order." In a typical, well-staffed gentry household of the early 19th century, these tasks would likely be handled by different specialized servants: a groom or stable hand for the horse, and a butler or footman for the wine. The bundling of these disparate duties into one command aimed at a single individual provides Lockwood with his first clue about the domestic arrangements at the Heights.

要充分理解其含义，我们首先必须确定其直接语境。这个短语出现在第一章，就在洛克伍德抵达呼啸山庄后不久。他受到了脾气暴躁的房东希斯克利夫的接待。为了招待客人，希斯克利夫向他的仆人约瑟夫厉声下达了一个命令：“约瑟夫，把洛克伍德先生的马牵走；再拿点酒上来。”

这个包含两个不同指令的单一句子——一个关于马厩，另一个关于酒窖——就是洛克伍德内心称之为 “复合命令” 的东西。在19世纪初一个典型的、仆役齐全的乡绅家庭中，这些任务很可能由不同的专业仆人处理：马夫或马厩小工负责马匹，男管家或男仆负责酒水。将这些不同的职责捆绑成一个针对单个人的命令，为洛克伍德提供了关于山庄家庭安排的第一个线索。

Defining the Terms

Establishment of Domestics: This phrase refers to the complete set or staff of domestic servants employed in a household. The word "establishment" here implies an organized body of personnel. Lockwood's use of "the whole establishment" is key—it is heavily ironic. He observes the single command given to a single servant and sarcastically concludes that this one man (Joseph) must constitute the entirety of the domestic staff.

家仆阵容： 这个短语指的是一个家庭所雇用的全部或全体家庭仆人。这里的“阵容”一词暗示一个有组织的人员团体。洛克伍德使用“全部阵容”是关键——这是极具讽刺意味的。他观察到对单个仆人发出的单一命令，并讽刺地得出结论：这个人（约瑟夫）一定就是全部的家仆了。
Compound Order: As established, this is an order comprising multiple, often unrelated, tasks. In the hierarchical world of domestic service, issuing such an order to one servant suggests a lack of specialized roles and, by extension, a small or undermanned household.

复合命令： 如前所述，这是一个包含多个、通常互不关联的任务的命令。在等级分明的家庭服务世界中，向一个仆人发出这样的命令，意味着缺乏专业分工，进而暗示这是一个仆役稀少或人手不足的家庭。

Analysis and Interpretation

Lockwood's reflection is not a neutral observation; it is a piece of characterization and social commentary. As a gentleman from the more civilized south (presumably London or its vicinity), Lockwood carries certain expectations about domestic order. His inward, sarcastic remark reveals several layers of meaning:

First Impressions of Wuthering Heights: The "compound order" is Lockwood's initial evidence of the house's strangeness and deviation from social norms. It signals austerity, disorganization, and a blurring of traditional servant roles. The estate is not run with the polished efficiency he expects.

对呼啸山庄的第一印象： “复合命令”是洛克伍德最初证明这所房子怪异且偏离社会规范的证据。它暗示着简朴、混乱以及传统仆人角色的模糊。庄园的运作并非他所期望的那种精致高效。
Lockwood's Character: His thought is patronizing and judgmental. He immediately places himself as an observer of a curious, inferior system. This establishes him as somewhat obtuse and socially unaware, traits that will define his interactions throughout the novel. He fails to perceive the raw, passionate undercurrents of the household, focusing instead on its breach of etiquette.

洛克伍德的性格： 他的想法带着一种居高临下和评判的态度。他立即将自己置于一个好奇的、低等体系的观察者位置。这确立了他有些迟钝和社会意识不足的性格，这些特质将贯穿他在小说中的互动。他未能察觉这个家庭原始、激情的暗流，反而专注于其对礼仪的违背。
Foreshadowing and Theme: This small moment foreshadows the central themes of the novel. Wuthering Heights is a place where categories break down: love and hate, social classes, and even the division of domestic labor. The "compound order" is a microcosm of this pervasive disorder. Furthermore, it hints at Heathcliff's nature—his imperiousness and his disregard for conventional forms, treating his servant as a general factotum.

预示与主题： 这个小小的时刻预示了小说的核心主题。呼啸山庄是一个分类界限崩塌的地方：爱与恨、社会阶级，甚至家庭劳动的分工。“复合命令”是这种普遍混乱的一个缩影。此外，它暗示了希斯克利夫的本性——他的专横跋扈以及对传统形式的不屑一顾，将他的仆人视为一个打杂的万能工。

The Ironic Subtext

The core of the phrase's meaning lies in its irony. Lockwood says, "Here we have the whole establishment of domestics," while looking at one old man. He means the exact opposite: "This single, overworked man appears to be the only servant, which speaks volumes about the peculiar and impoverished state of this household." Brontë uses Lockwood's dry wit to convey the stark reality of Wuthering Heights to the reader, contrasting it sharply with Lockwood's (and the reader's) probable expectations of a country household.

这个短语含义的核心在于其反讽。洛克伍德看着一个老人说：“这就是全部的家仆阵容了。”他的意思恰恰相反：“这个独自一人、劳累过度的老人似乎是唯一的仆人，这充分说明了这个家庭奇特而拮据的状况。”勃朗特利用洛克伍德冷面幽默的机智，向读者传达了呼啸山庄严酷的现实，与洛克伍德（以及读者）对乡村家庭可能抱有的期望形成了鲜明对比。

Conclusion

The inquiry into "establishment of domestics" and "compound order" transcends simple vocabulary clarification. It opens a window into the social world of the novel, the narrative voice of Lockwood, and the unconventional environment of Wuthering Heights itself. Brontë packs significant observational power into this single, ironic thought. It teaches us that in literature, especially in a work as densely layered as Wuthering Heights, even a passing comment on domestic logistics can serve as a vital clue to understanding character, setting, and theme. The next time you encounter an obscure phrase in a classic, consider its context deeply—you may find it holds the key to a richer interpretation.

对“家仆阵容”和“复合命令”的探究超越了简单的词汇释义。它为我们打开了一扇窗，让我们得以窥见小说的社会世界、洛克伍德的叙述声音以及呼啸山庄本身非传统的环境。勃朗特将重要的观察力浓缩于这一个反讽的想法中。它告诉我们，在文学中，尤其是在像《呼啸山庄》这样层次丰富的作品中，即使是对家庭事务的随口评论，也可以作为理解人物、场景和主题的重要线索。下次你在经典作品中遇到一个晦涩的短语时，请深入思考其语境——你可能会发现，它正是通往更丰富解读的钥匙。