Research On The Collective Biographies Of The Historical Records

Collective Biographies are one of the main types of The Historical Records,which refers to the series of biographies where two or more biographies of characters are combined due to likeness,contrast,or relation.It was first established by Sima Qian,a historian who lived in Western Han Dynasty.Among the seventy biographies of The Historical Records,nearly half of them are Collective Biographies.Collective Biographies not only has the historical significance of coming from scratch,but also becomes a model of historiography because of its own value.Therefore,taking Collective Biographies as the research object for overall observation,analyzing its historical origins,reasons and purposes,structural forms and narrative art etc.It is not only Present ontological value of Collective Biographies,but also provides a deep insight into Sima Qian’s inner world.In this sense,Collective Biographies research is not only an independent study,but also an important aspect of the overall study of The Historical Records.Collective Biographies didn’t happen suddenly,it had a profound historical origin.Sima Qian’s consciousness of Co-biographies first originated from the category consciousness,which displayed in previous ancient codes and records,such as SHANGSHU,The Analects of Confucius,and ZUOZHUAN.The summary of historical experience in the Western Han Dynasty were the practical basis.Combined with the Sima Qian’s literary literacy,historical knowledge,historical talent,and historical planning,these formed the external reasons for the emergence of Collective Biographies of The Historical Records.Collective Biographies are not the simple addition of several randomly selected character deeds.After analyzing the complex relationship between biographical figures,that is either inextricably linkness,similar,or contrasting.From this perspective,the internal reasons for the formation of Collective Biographies can be divided into three types: inseparable,similar,and contrasting.The primary purpose of The Historical Records is to provide factual records,and to deeply summarize historical experiences,and to exert the educational function of historical records.As one of the means,the ultimate goal of Collective Biographies is also consistent with it,but it has some advantages.For subtle and hidden historical experiences,Collective Biographies can be transmitted through addition of deeds.For obvious historical experiences,Collective Biographies can be more prominent.Specifically,the purpose of the Collective Biographies of The Historical Records is mainly to write directly about the matter,punish evil and promote well-doing,advise monarchs,and warn courtiers.In order to better achieve the above goals and match the internal relationship between the protagonists,the structure of the joint biography has become an important issue.Using architectural structures is beneficial for grasping the form and characteristics of Collective Biographies’ structure.Overall,Collective Biographies present five structural forms: mortise and tenon joint,a string of beads joint,bamboo joint combination,bridge joint,and crisscross joint.These five structural forms are used interchangeably and cooperate with each other,resulting in a perfect presentation of the complex relationship and the internal logic of event development.Therefore,structural forms have become an important manifestation of the artistic value of Collective Biographies.Collective Biographies are based on narrative,Sima Qian cut process the events firstly,which showed Sima Qian’s narrative tendency of choosing wisely,see big things through small ones,and virtual writing.At the same time,he broke the single narrative sequence to enhanced the storytelling of Collective Biographies.Compared with other biographical types,Collective Biographies have a larger capacity.Therefore,Sima Qian adjusted the narrative rhythm in a timely manner based on the severity of events.In terms of the use of narrative language,rhetorical questions,repetition,long and short sentence structures,and the foreshadowing are prominent rhetorical languages.Their helps Collective Biographies form the narrative style of magical,Simple and elegant.It is worth noting that in the joint narrative,Sima Qian’s self-awareness is more evident,from which one can feel his pain.Whether in the history of ancient Chinese historiography or ancient Chinese literature,Collective Biographies not only absorbs the creative experience of previous cultural classics,but also influences literary creation in later generations with its own value.From the perspective of the ontological value of Collective Biographies,it achieves the unity of the subjectivity and theme of the biography better.The unique inter discourse interaction in Collective Biographies is more conducive to shaping typical character images,and Collective Biographies have become one of the representative styles of concise.In terms of its impact on the creation of historiography in later generations,From the perspective of the influence of Co-biography on literature,the structural forms played a significant role in promoting the development of chapter style novels during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.Collective Biographies utilizes the creative experience of previous classics to enrich itself,fulfilling its historical mission,and becoming an important driving force for the development of later historiography and literature.Research on the Collective Biographies of The Historical Records are not only a necessary process to explore its own value,but also holds a pivotal position in the overall study of The Historical Records.