A Study Of The Historiographer Figure Of Pre-Qin Historical Prose

The achievements of pre-Qin historical prose in depicting characters provide rich experience for later literature.As a member of the figure series of pre-Qin historical prose,the historiographer figure presents a very unique historical appearance.On the one hand,the historiographer figure shows different characteristics in different period and region;on the other hand,due to the difference of compilation purpose and style of pre-Qin historical prose,the historiographer figure of them has different characteristics.It is of great significance and value to analyze the historiographer figure in pre-Qin historical prose for enriching the research content of different figure series and understanding the overall social appearance and cultural development of pre-Qin period.This paper intends to discuss the historiographer figure in pre-Qin historical prose from the following aspects,in order to have a more comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the overall appearance of the historiographer figure.This paper is divided into six parts.The first part is the introduction,which defines the related concepts of the study,and then discusses the research significance and current status of the study.The second part discusses the Pre-Qin historian system and characteristics of historiographer figure in pre-Qin historical prose.The first section introduces the source of historiographers and their duties,and briefly analyzes the changes in the establishment and status of historiographers in pre-Qin period.The second section discusses the characteristics of the historiographer figure in pre-Qin historical prose,which are mystification and rationalization.The mystification of the historiographer figure is reflected in the ability to communicate with ghosts and gods.The rationalization is reflected in two aspects: the historiographers did not neglect the rational factors when they communicated with heaven,and they always tried to historicize the myth.The third part explores the evolution of historiographer figure of pre-Qin historical prose.In the Western Zhou Dynasty,historiographers were respectful,and they saw through affairs,witnessed and participated in the various processes of historical development.In the early and middle period of the Spring and Autumn Period,historiographers were no longer monopolists of various types of professional knowledge,and the sense of identity was based on the character of adhering to principles.Also,historiographers created a tradition of writing from reality.In the late Spring and Autumn Period,the society was experiencing unrest,and historiographers shouldered the burden of the times,actively participated in politics,and expressed their opinions directly.The fourth part analyzes the historiographer figure of vassal states in the Spring and Autumn Period.The number of the historiographers in the Spring and Autumn Period recorded in pre-Qin historical prose is the largest.The historiographers in the royal family of Zhou,Jin state and Chu state are quite distinctive.The historiographers of Zhou royal family respect etiquette and rites,and provide consulting services for the monarchs in the round trip activities.They are highly competent and trusted.The historiographers of Jin state are good at judging the situation.They have insight into the social changes,and can be loyal when serving as retainers for ministers.Influenced by the regional culture,the historiographers of Chu state form strong and upright characteristics.They take death calmly,which shows intense military spirits.The fifth part discusses the methods of depicting historiographer figure in preQin historical prose.The pre-Qin historical prose not only describe the language and action of the characters directly,but also highlight the characters from the side.Sometimes,the pre-Qin historical prose also reveal the characters’ speech and gesture and what they think about in a specific situation,by means of contrast and conflict display,so as to excavate the inner world of the characters.The sixth part investigates the difference of the historiographer figure in Zuo Zhuan and Guo Yu,and the reason for the foresaid phenomena.The characteristics of the historiographer figure in Zuo Zhuan is emphasizing generality over individuality,and the historiographers are mostly spectators and promoters in the event.The characteristics of the historiographer figure in Guo Yu is emphasizing individuality over generality,and the historiographers are mostly participants and actors in the event.The reasons for the different characteristics of the historiographer figure of Zuo Zhuan and Guo Yu lie in the compilation purpose,content,style and nature of the two books.In Zuo Zhuan,the narrative function of the historiographers is greater than its literary value.The historiographers participate in the narrative mode of pre narration,flashback and interlude of Zuo Zhuan,and play an important role of connecting plot,punishing evil and promoting good.Guo Yu is a "Yu" style historical book,which emphasizes its teaching function.The historiographers are the main characters of admonition,which highlight their own charm with personalized words and deeds.The seventh part is the conclusion.Based on the summary of the full text,the conclusion discusses the future research direction of historiographer figure of Pre-Qin historical prose.