A New Historicist Reading Of Shi Ba Shi Lue (Eighteen Histories In Brief) Of Novel

Shi Ba Shi Lue of Novel, a historical novel written by a Chinese-Japanese author Chen Shunchen, it is based on the book Shi Ba Shi Lue created by Zeng Xianzhi, historian of Yuan dynasty, but also shows great difference from it. In the book Shi Ba Shi Lue of Novel, Chen Shunchen deconstructs the historical figures and events under the evaluation of Chinese traditional moral and endows history with new reasoning and establishment. Reading from new historicism of this book is conducive to get a better understanding of the author's view of history.The paper concludes three main chapters:Chapter One, Elimination and rehabilitation:the other side of heroes and crafty sycophants. Analyze the private feelings of emperors and gentlemen in Shi Ba Shi Lue of Novel by comparing with the official materials; describe the helpless of the crafty sycophants who are recognized as bad persons in the official history; look for the author's further considerations on human in the book. As is seen, Chen Shunchen has overthrown the traditional conceptions of historical heroes.Chapter Two, Femmes and heroines:modern charming of traditional females. Mainly analyze some female images different from which described in the official history, such as Daji, Wang Zhaojun, Diaochan and Wu Zetian. These females throw away shackles given by the traditionally feudal morals and show the features of independence, wisdom and modern charming. Chen Shunchen breaks the recognition of females in the traditional male-dominated society.Chapter Three, Barbarism and civilization:appeal for the backward nations. Firstly, according to the attitude of conflicts and integrations between Chinese ethnic and minorities, we can see Chen Shunchen hope there is no discrimination among different ethnics and have confidence in one's own culture. Secondly, analyze Chen Shunchen's opinion on Chinese Thought. He says in ancient time, just few peoples hold this thought and so do Japanese. Chinese culture is typically characterized by its inclusiveness. At last, seek for the significance beyond nations and countries in the future world in accordance with Chen Shunchen's colonial experience and double identities.In the book of Shi Ba Shi Lue of Novel, no matter emperors or base men, males or females, the author puts all the figures in an equal place to pursue their life orientation and personal value by getting rid of prejudice and he encourages the longtime development of every nation and civilization with full confidence. In aurhor's opinion, as a double-identity person, this is exactly Chen Shunchen's expectation of human, nations as well as countries and also his visualization of the future whole world.