On the Historical Biography Feature and Literary Nature of the Synopsis of Individual Works of Jun Zhai Du Shu Zhi
The synopsis of individual works in Chao Gongwu's Jun Zhai Du Shu Zhi is a synopsis of a person rather than a book.Chao's abridges numerous of historical record to form the synopsis,in which he mixes praise and criticism,and carries for-ward the spirit of historiographer.Chao's use of the role of the'commentator'and the use of historical commentary to evaluate char-acters and express historical judement makes the the synopsis of individual works has a strong feature of historical biography.The reasons for this style are,first,Chao's strong and deep historical consciousness and his desire to gain a voice in contemporary histori-cal interpretation,and,second,the influence of Chao's character and experience as an official.Some of the synopses of individual works in Jun Zhai Du Shu Zhi show the characteristics of'Novelization'and'Poetization',showing its considerable literariness.This is because Chao's writing of the synopses of individual works mostly uses'literary rhetoric',expressing characterization through the collection of detailed descriptions,and mostly incorporating poetic lines into them;he also refers to the storytelling and legendary aspects of notebook writings,adding lustre to the literary nature of Chao's synopses of individual works.
Jun Zhai Du Shu Zhiindividual workshistorical biographyliterary nature