沈从文20世纪40年代的小说具有浓厚的哲理色彩和象征意味,作品中反复出现一些抽象的意象。“虹与星”不仅是关于美好女性的象征,更反映了沈从文对于“抽象”的思索———“向虚空凝眸”;“诗与火”则象征一种充满爱与美的理想生命形式———“神在我们生命里”。沈从文40年代的小说是其为复活与重造爱与美的神性而进行的孤独求索。 Shen Congwen’s novels in the 1940s have a strong philosophical color and symbolic meaning, and some abstract images appear repeatedly in his works. “Rainbow and Star” is not only a symbol of a beautiful woman, but also a reflection of Shen Congwen’s thinking of “abstract” --- “Gazing into a void”; “Poetry and Fire” symbolizes an ideal life form full of love and beauty - - “God is in our life.” Shen Congwen’s novels in the 1940s are their lonely quest for resurrecting and rebuilding the divinity of love and beauty.