A Comparison of Hanfeiziheshi and Book of Job

徐偉偉

【Abstract】This present paper compares Hanfeiziheshi with Book of Job and holds following viewpoints: On the one hand, they are similar in the writing background, content both of which concern a righteous persons sufferings, writing techniques, and the anticipating function of both texts. On the other hand, there are differences between these two texts in the narrative style, the reasons for the sufferings, esthetic sensations, psychological course and outlooks on life of the protagonists. This study will exert certain significance towards the research of the comparison between Chinese and western cultures.

【Key words】Hanfeiziheshi ；Book of Job ；similarities ；differences

【中圖分類號】G64 【文獻標識碼】A 【文章編號】2095-3089（2014）04-0107-01

Introduction

Book of Job is not only a Christian theological classic but also an intriguing human text. Thus, it appeals the attention both from the theological researchers and from the textual analyzers. It narrates a righteous person named Job from Uz gains great sufferings and during this course, his belief of God shivers and returns to God at last. It tries to answer the question which confuses generations of human beings: why does the righteous person suffers?

Hanfeiziheshi is a well?鄄known part of Hanfeizis works. It tells a person whose surname is He presents his jade to emperor. During this course, his jade was said to be just stone by the vicious jade artisans again and again. The blinded emperor trusts what the jade artisans say and orders to cut off the two legs of Heshi. But in the end, the great sorrows of Heshi move the emperor who again examines the presented jade and finds Heshis honesty and fidelity towards him. Then in order to memorize Heshis spirits, the emperor names the jade Heshis Jade.

As these two texts own similar contents and themes, it is necessary to explore the possible similarities and differences between them. Thus this can enrich the comparative analysis between the Chinese traditional and Western Christian cultures.

The similarities between Hanfeiziheshi and Book of Job

1.Same writing time and background: Book of Job was written almost from 4th century to 3rd century B.C. It pictured the Isrealites life at that time. Meanwhile, Hanfeizis life span was from 280 to 233 B.C. Besides, Hanfeiziheshi was one of the famous part of Hanfeizis works. Therefore, it can be drawn a conclusion that the story of Book of Job and Hanfeiziheshi is set on almost the same period.

2.Similar content: Both of these two texts describe the righteous persons unfair and unreasonable sufferings. They both arouse a question: why does the righteous person suffer in the world? Although the great misery the two protagonists suffer in the course, they both gain what they deserve in the end of the story. Besides, what the two protagonists gain is from the subject who they believe in and worship. As for Job, the one worshipped is God and with regard to Heshi, the one is the emperor. Neither of these two stories belongs to tragedy. The victory of kingship and theocracy is the final ending.

3.Same writing techniques: On the one hand, both these two stories are fictional rather than factual. Just as Leonard Mare proposed that the prose framework of the book (Book of Job) should not be understood as historical literature or as a biography of a man called Job. With regard to Hanfeiziheshi, it is known as a fable which is not factual, either. The writers of both stories are trying to use one representative figure to stand for more similar ones. They pay much attention to the extensive influence of their made-up images. On the other hand, when writing, both writers weakened the role of the constructive person in the story. In Book of Job, it is God who serves as the constructive person. Although the great importance of the constructive role of God, he was put to keep silent most of the time. Similarly, in Hanfeiziheshi, as the vital constructive person, the emperor was mute in large amount of the course.

From the precedent analysis, it can be found that Hanfeiziheshi and Book of Job have a lot in common. However, because they rooted in sharply different cultural background, they carry much difference, too.

The differences between Hanfeiziheshi and Book of Job

1.Different narrative styles: The Book of Job elaborates and describes the discussion and arguments between Job and his friends in detail. The lengthy conversation has the unified voice and consist style of poetry, but it is a dialogue between characters that alter their moods, question their motives, change their minds, and undercut each other with sarcasm and innuendo. While, in comparison with Book of Job, Hanfeiziheshi has the concise style with much smaller size.

2.Different reasons for sufferings: The suffering of Job begins. So Jobs sufferings come from a deal between God and Satan. It is accidental. As for the sufferings, Job bears no responsibility. He does everything he can to escape the punishment of God, but unfortunately, the sufferings still drop on him. While in Hanfeiziheshi, Heshi tries to present his jade to the emperor to gain the emperors recognition. He could have escaped the sorrows by giving up, but he insists. This is the source of the great sufferings. In other words, Heshi should bear some responsibility of his own sufferings. Therefore, his sufferings are inevitable.

3.Different aesthetic sensations: Book of Job is a part of the Old Testament, thus it is unquestionably religious. It serves for the Christian domination and development. The whole story then is full of religious lofty beauty. On the contrary, Heshi is a righteous civil servant. He is loyal and pious towards kingship. What he does is for the recognition from the emperor and the development of the society. Thus, what he concerns is something earthy and does not own the lofty beauty.

Conclusion

Hanfeiziheshi and Book of Job belong to Chinese and western Christian cultural classics respectively. As they were written at nearly the same period, they presented several similarities in some aspects. These proved the similar thinking mode between eastern and western people. However, as they rooted in different cultural background, they were in divergence in certain perspectives. These also testified the saying: different cultural backgrounds create different literary fruits.

References:

[1]Clines, D. J.A. (2004). Jobs fifth friend: An ethical critique of the Book of Job. Biblical Interpretation. 12(3): 233—250.

[2]Fretheim, T. E. (2005). God and world in the Old Testament: A relational theology of Creation. Abingdon: Nashville.

[3]韓高年,1995. 《楚辭·天問》與《圣經·約伯記》比較談. 求索.(6).