The Study Of Su Shi’s Epitaphs

The epitaph is one of the ancient Chinese styles, in which literati had all involved in pastdynasties. The study of epitaphs in modern times is also very popular. However, the study ofSu Shi’s epitaphs is a weak link, which also has a large expanding space. This paper takes thegreat literatus Su Shi’s epitaphs as the study object, connects to the history situation and theevolution of the styles, reviews the representative epitaph works in the past dynasties, andstudies Su Shi’s collected works, particularly those epitaphs, with a contrast method (comparewith former generation epitaphs, and the relative other genres in Su Shi’s works). The paperanalyzes the pattern of Su Shi’s epitaphs in a comprehensive and systematic way from thestylistics aspect. At the same time, reveal the Su Shi’s epitaphs literature characteristics andstatus influence. In the course of the research, the author finds that Su Shi’s epitaphs type is inthe innovation which is basis on previous generation epitaphs type. First, the paper classifiesSu Shi’s epitaphs with two different methods, one from the traditional stylistics classification,dividing the epitaphs into three kinds, they are temple epitaph, deity epitaph, and tombstone.The other from the written contents, dividing the epitaphs into three categories, they arewriting buddhist character, femininity and politicians. Second, it inspects the inheritancesituation of Su Shi’s epitaph type from the former generations: basic on the system standard,his epitaphs focus on the function of social education, and abide the traditional epitaphs“accumulate virtue record merit”,“merit due to the first” written request, and traditionalepitaphs “preface”,“inscriptions”,“continues word” parts’ formal structure requirements;inherit Han Yu’s and Ouyang Xiu’s writing style-taking history as the content, includingsocial and historical events and faithful records using “see the side out” written method;following the parable, quote and kinds of literary expression. Third, it focuses on theinnovation of Su Shi’s epitaphs, comparing with Han Yu’s and Ouyang Xiu’s epitaph creationto reveal the style of Su Shi’s epitaphs—free, broad-minded and majestics, besides, thecontent principle of seeking the truth, and the epitaph pattern system being graduallyperfect.This three points are very different from Korea and Europe’s creation of newhistorical aspects. Finally, the paper reviews the development process of the epitaphs, andbriefly introduces the epitaphs development history before Su Shi, and expounds that Su Shi‘s epitaphs influence the historical creation in the next generations, and divide offspringepitaphs creation into two periods: one is the period of Jin Yuan dynasties, WangRuoXu, YuanHaoWen as the representatives, second is the Ming and Qing dynasties epitaphs, GongAn school and TongCheng school as the representatives. They are all important characters,having certain literary achievements, but their accomplishments can not compare with Su Shi.Based on the above four parts, it could draw the conclusion: the achievement of Su Shiepitaphs is great, which have a positive impact to the next generations. In the history ofliterature development, Su Shi’s epitaphs have attained a special status, as a link between pastand future.Based on this, Su Shi is a great literature master.