On The Combined Biography Of Historical Records

A combined biography is written for two or more individuals who are noted individuals in history. The biography is named according to the individual(s) surname, official position, title bestowed by the Emperor, other known names, of which either combined together as one or simply put alongside each other.The reason behind a combined biography can be traced back to the relationship shared between the individuals, and can be generally categorize into two groups, namely similar nature and associated nature.A combined biography brings together individuals who share either similar historical nature or are inter-related with each other. And this characteristic of a combined biography requires a synthesized research effort on the part of the reader, especially in the application of contrast on the historical characters and events. Through such synthesized research on the combined biography individuals, one would come to the appreciation of the great depth shown in both Sima Qian's thoughts and feelings.In the combined biography, Sima Qian's thoughts are reflected mainly in the following areas, namely, politics, advocating of the simple and straightforward, the aversion to complicated government policies, advocating of people who speaks the truth as it is, sarcasm towards people who idles, and academically, his opinion of the inheriting relationship between Taoism and Legalism, the emphasis on Confucianism and the low opinion towards Mohism, the treasuring of talent, literature as well as life and death. The emotions within the combined biography is mainly reflected in areas like the treasuring of good friends, disdain for the mercenary, the sense of pity towards the talented remaining unseen, praise for the persevering individuals in the pursuit for academic success.Sima Qian's thorough understanding, both emotionally and intellectually, of the fates of these historical characters can be seen in the logical arrangement, stringent construction as well as the clear lines of consciousness within the structure of the Historical Records. The structure of the combined biography, according to the evidence of the biography individuals, can be categorized into three groups, namely, singular structure, dual structure, multiple structure. Sima Qian organizes the individuals through the expression of the main theme, using the artistic method of contrast to create clarity in the characters, and therefore also fully bringing forth his keen sense of observance.Combined biographies, such genre of biography, reflects the historical comparison and research methodology applied by Sima Qian, and is deemed to be of great value by historians of the later generations. It has also come to be an important form of character biography genre in the legitimate historical books in the feudal era. However, its influence and impact on the literature of the later generations is rather weak and pale in comparison to singular biographies and category based biographies. Even though so, the complicating and ever changing characteristics of its structure makes it a model for the novels of later generations to learn from.