Abstract: Since the new period, the studies of SHEN Congwen are mostly focused on his novel creation. For his prose creation, the researchers paid more attention to his Xiangxing Sanji and ignored his works created in the 1940s. Through studying, it is found that the abstract prose is closely related to his state of mind, which can be seen as his holding and asking the meaning of life in the painful, lonely, depressing world. Seven Color Nightmare is taken as an example to discuss SHEN Congwens creative spirit in the 1940s.

Key words: SHEN Congwen, Seven Color Nightmare, the 1940s, creative spirit

摘要： 新时期以来，对沈从文的研究大都集中于他的小说创作上，对于其散文创作，研究者们更多地把目光投向其30年代的《湘行散记》等作品，相对忽略了他40年代的创作。仔细研读沈从文40年代的散文，发现这些抽象散文与他当时的心态息息相关，可以看作是他在外界痛苦、寂寞、压抑中对于自我灵魂的坚守和对生命意义的追问。由此，以《七色魇》文集为例，讨论沈从文在40年代的创作精神。

关键词: 沈从文, 《七色魇》, 40年代, 创作心态