『史記ㆍ列傳』의 복선 연구

Abstract

This study analyzes the technique of foreshadowing(伏線) utilized by Sima Qian in the Biographies(列傳) of his Shiji and examines its resulting literary effects. Sima Qian strategically employed foreshadowing for diverse narrative purposes: he used it as a means to present a character's personality and abilities, deployed it to establish the theme that penetrates the entire narrative, or presented it as premonitory words or deeds that suggest future events. Furthermore, he employed the technique of embedding the author's implied meaning(言外之意) within the foreshadowing, connecting it powerfully to the overall narrative of the work. Regarding the technical methods, dialogue-centric narration is the most frequent, although monologue formats or third-person objective narration were also used. At times, the structure of foreshadowing was constructed multi-dimensionally, such as setting three layers of foreshadowing for a single event and mixing dialogue with third-person narration. The application of this technique yields significant literary effects: First, it enhances the structural completeness of the prose by organically connecting the beginning and end of the Liezhuan narratives. Second, it strengthens the content's thematic unity by ensuring the central theme is carried through consistently. Third, it increases the work’s interest by placing unexpected events or actions in the initial part, thereby arousing the reader's expectation and tension. Sima Qian(司馬遷)’s versatile command of foreshadowing is thus an original narrative technique that not only highlights the individuality of the characters and events in the Liezhuan but also multi-dimensionally expands the work's narrative layers. Furthermore, since this foreshadowing technique is also confirmed in the Basic Annals(本紀) and Hereditary Houses(世家), it carries strong potential for future research expansion.