司马迁之死探微

Analysis for the Death of Sima Qian

在《悲士不遇赋》和《报任少卿书》中,司马迁透露出了终将自杀的心迹。根据《史记》当时的写作进程,作者一生的遭遇以及他的性格分析,自杀身亡应该是司马迁最后必然的选择。他正是以这种自杀的方式,完成了最后的抗争,充满着无穷的张力。甚至可以说,司马迁的自杀,本身也是《史记》中"看不见"的最精彩的一部分。而《报任少卿书》一文,虽然不在《史记》"百卅篇"中,却应当视作其"第一百三十一"篇,其价值不次于《太史公自序》,是了解和认识司马迁、解读《史记》的重要文献。

Essay for No Opportunity to Fulfil Ambition and Reply to Ren Shaoqing,Sima Qian revealed his intention of suicide.According to the writing process of Historical Records,the experience of the author’s life and his character analysis indicate that the suicide should be the last and inevitable choice of Sima Qian.It is in this manner of suicide that he has finished the final struggle and is filled with endless tension.It may even be said that Sima Qian’s suicide is also the most wonderful unseen part in Historical Records.Although Reply to Ren Shaoqing is not one of 130 chapters in Historical Records,it should be regarded as No.131 in his book,for its value is not inferior to the Taishigong preface and is an important document of understanding and interpretation of Historical Records of Sima Qian.