This article explains the connection between the forms of historical records and the ... more This article explains the connection between the forms of historical records and the representation of the two genders in early China. It is focused on Sima Qian’s adaptation of stories concerning women from Zuozhuan, a chronicle full of discrete narrative episodes, into the linearly connected history narratives of Shiji. I argue that, by building the linear unity of his narrative around the ruling patriline, Sima Qian either removes elements representing women and their agency to leave space for male characters or transposes these elements onto them. Sima Qian thereby fits the representation of the characters in Shiji to the distinct gender roles articulated in Han Confucian ritual texts.
This article explains the connection between the forms of historical records and the ... more This article explains the connection between the forms of historical records and the representation of the two genders in early China. It is focused on Sima Qian’s adaptation of stories concerning women from Zuozhuan, a chronicle full of discrete narrative episodes, into the linearly connected history narratives of Shiji. I argue that, by building the linear unity of his narrative around the ruling patriline, Sima Qian either removes elements representing women and their agency to leave space for male characters or transposes these elements onto them. Sima Qian thereby fits the representation of the characters in Shiji to the distinct gender roles articulated in Han Confucian ritual texts.
Uploads
Papers by Xiucai Zheng
adaptation of stories concerning women from Zuozhuan, a chronicle full of discrete narrative episodes, into the linearly connected history narratives of Shiji. I argue that,
by building the linear unity of his narrative around the ruling patriline, Sima Qian either removes elements representing women and their agency to leave space for male characters or transposes these elements onto them. Sima Qian thereby fits the representation of the characters in Shiji to the distinct gender roles articulated in Han Confucian ritual texts.
adaptation of stories concerning women from Zuozhuan, a chronicle full of discrete narrative episodes, into the linearly connected history narratives of Shiji. I argue that,
by building the linear unity of his narrative around the ruling patriline, Sima Qian either removes elements representing women and their agency to leave space for male characters or transposes these elements onto them. Sima Qian thereby fits the representation of the characters in Shiji to the distinct gender roles articulated in Han Confucian ritual texts.