On The Satirical Art Of Historical Records

The satirical art of Historical Records benefited from the satirical tradition of Pre-Qin Period. The Book of Songs not only praised, but also satirized. The Spring and Autumn Annals expressed the subtle meaning by concise record. They provided references for Sima Qian in theme, technique and style. They laid a good foundation for the satirical art of Historical Records. In addition, Sima Qian's character played an essential role in the formation of Historical Records'satirical art. Sima Qian had a strong sense of mission and a courageous personality, which enabled him to fearlessly write down the social evils. The disaster of Li Ling gave him a keen insight and a sober mentality, which enabled him to penetrate historical facts and discover the ugly dark side of life. Actually, the satirical tradition of Pre-Qin Period integrated with Sima Qian's character.They formed the superb satirical art of Historical Records together.Historical Records satirizes emperors, ministers and social problems. Sima Qian had an ideal model of both political and society morality. He couldn't help satirizing when he found anything contrary to the ideal of social life. The series of emperors includes atrocity, ignorance in distinguishing talents, self-opinion and dissoluteness. The series of ministers includes arrogation, obsequiousness and rigor. The series of social problems includes greed, snobbery and envy.Historical Records has complex satirical skills. For further analysis, the paper quoted a western narrative theory and divided the narrative modes of Historical Records into subjective demonstrative narrative mode and objective exhibitory narrative mode. The major satirical skills in the subjective demonstrative narrative mode include direct comment, indirect judgment by kinds of people and indirect appraisement by allusions. The major satirical skills in the objective exhibitory narrative mode include contrast, irony, allusion and repeat.The satirical style of Historical Records is mature and stable. It bases on the faithfulness to historical facts. It conceals the strong emotional and moral judgments in a calm and objective narration. Beneath the surface of humor, there is a grumous tragic atmosphere.