Similarity Association in Qian Zhongshu's Eating | Generated by AI
Question: In the essay “Eating” (《吃饭》), the author uses music and cooking to illustrate the concept of “harmony in diversity” (和而不同) in governing a country. This belongs to which type of association?
A. Temporal association
B. Contrast association
C. Spatial association
D. Similarity association
Answer:
D. 相似联想 (Similarity association)
Explanation:
In 《吃饭》(by Qian Zhongshu / 钱钟书), the author draws an analogy (比喻 / 类比) between:
- the art of cooking (调和五味，使味道和谐却各有特色)
- the art of music (众音协调，和而不同)
- and the ideal way of governing a country (various people / opinions / forces being harmonized without losing their individual character — 和而不同).
All three domains share the same essential principle: achieving overall harmony while preserving differences / individuality.
This is a classic example of 相似联想 (association based on similarity): things that are different on the surface (cooking ingredients, musical notes, political forces) are connected because they follow the same underlying pattern or principle.
Why not the other options?
- A. 时间联想 (temporal): association based on sequence or time order (e.g. “spring → summer → autumn”) — not the case here.
- B. 对比联想 (contrast): association based on opposition (e.g. hot ↔ cold, day ↔ night) — here the author is showing similarity, not opposition.
- C. 空间联想 (spatial): association based on physical location or spatial proximity — irrelevant here.
Therefore, the correct answer is D. 相似联想.
References:
- Qian Zhongshu, 《吃饭》 (from 《写在人生边上》)