| The main objective of this thesis is to analyze the perspective of life and death of Sima Qian from as according to the determinant of life and death in various characters in Shiji. The choice of life and death decisions made by those characters in Shiji, although they are arrange according to the arts of life and death and from the subjective point of view, yet it was believed that it was Sima Qian's objective decision from the aspect of his own emotional trends or perspective of life value. This is what Sima Qian tried to portray in his book Shiji.This Thesis is divided and discussed in three chapters, it mainly outlines and describes the three types of life choices as study basis, analyzed and discussed as followed:Chapter one:Abandoning life and ask for die. This chapter mainly discuss that the view of Sima Qian's towards characters of abandoning life and ask for die. Each character making their unique choices, somehow it is still united to one concept. Unity means they make the decision to abandon life and as for die, unique meaning each character have their own purpose and mode of option on life and death. Among these characters, some are sacrificed due to justice, some are protective of their own dignity thus they suicide, some are suicide just because knee deep in helpless situation. The main source of causing these different types of mode is due to social problem and figure identity. Sima Qian portraying those characters from their languages and expression. From the decision made by those characters, the materials, the way to deal with different characters and the considerations of artistic expression, it tells us the concept of Sima Qian's life value.Chapter two:Bearing with the humiliation just to continue living. This chapter mainly discussed Sima Qian's view of this kind of life choice, those characters who are disgrace but continue living. Some has spirit which are living for get their revenge, or bearing with the destruction of their body, just to fulfill the integrity of inner self. Compared with those holding the concept of abandoning life and die, they more suffering, twists and turn during their life till death. This suffering is a great test on a person's concept of life and it is also an alternative form of sacrifice due to justice, to protect their integrity, they committed suicide. It is a more profound and higher spiritual and meaning of life. Sima Qian based on his own life experience, feeling more sympathy on this kind of characters and acknowledgement in their value of life. He confirms that figure should get their immortal achievements. To portray the life of this kind of characters, Sima Qian used anecdote to emphasis their key of characteristics, state out their drifting life, recording down the process of life of this kind of characters from being humiliated, strenuously, until successful. This is very much reflecting Sima Qian appreciation on these type of characters, although they have some defect in their characters and body.Chapter three:Longevity and immortality. This chapter mainly discussed on Sima Qian's view towards characters for chasing for the longevity and immortality. This kind of figure more taking initiative and aggressive attitude to sing their chapter of life. They are enjoying their life span by not greedy on achievements and ability foresight on scourge and able to avoiding it. Some even practice the way of living healthily, so they may live longer. Some long for immortality, medicines for immortality and hope that they may be "immortal". Even for the Emperor, they also spend their lifetime in pursuing and become immortal. Under the penmanship of Sima Qian, he used a fantastic tactic to create a romantic but also amazing historical landscape. Due to the desire of live, it is the same feature that held by Han dynasty people, thus for Sima Qian who worked so hard on finding the meaning and value of life, there is no exception as well. |
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