With the Empress Dowager of China · Chapter
I: My Presentation and First Day at the Chinese Court explained
On August 5th, Katherine Carl, accompanied by Mrs.
What happens
On August 5th, Katherine Carl, accompanied by Mrs. Conger and her interpreter, travels from the American Legation in Peking to the Summer Palace for her first audience with the Empress Dowager Tze-Hsi. Upon arrival, she is escorted through the palace grounds and into the Throne-room, where she meets the Empress Dowager and Emperor Kwang-Hsu. The Empress Dowager, contrary to her fearsome reputation, greets Carl warmly and personally. Carl begins the portrait under challenging lighting conditions, but the Empress is pleased with the initial sketch and invites Carl to stay at the palace for further sittings. The day concludes with a luncheon and a theatrical performance.
Themes in this chapter
East-West Encounter
The chapter depicts the initial meeting between a Western artist and the Chinese imperial court, highlighting cultural differences and the bridging role of interpreters.
Observation and Interpretation
Carl observes the Empress Dowager's appearance and behavior, contrasting her preconceived notions with the reality before her.
Art and Representation
The chapter focuses on the beginning of the first portrait of the Empress Dowager, emphasizing the challenges and significance of capturing her likeness.
Characters to notice
- Katherine A. Carl
The narrator and artist, arriving for her first audience and beginning the portrait of the Empress Dowager.
- Empress Dowager Tze-Hsi
The Empress Dowager, who greets Carl warmly, poses for the first portrait, and invites her to stay at the palace.
- Emperor Kwang-Hsu
The young Emperor, who enters with the Empress Dowager and is presented to Carl.
- Mrs. Conger
Accompanies Carl to the palace and is greeted cordially by the Empress Dowager.
- Lady Yu-Keng
One of the Ladies Yu-Keng, who serves as interpreter and a link between the visitors and the palace.
Key passages
“The day of my first Audience at the Chinese Court, August 5th, we were up betimes at the American Legation, for it takes full three hours to drive out to the Summer Palace from Peking; and punctuality is the etiquette of Oriental as well as of Occidental potentates.”
On August 5th, the day of her first audience, Carl and her party rose early at the American Legation because the drive to the Summer Palace took three hours, and punctuality was expected by both Eastern and Western rulers.
Highlights the importance of punctuality and the logistical preparations for the audience.
“A young man, almost boyish in appearance, entered the Throne-room with her: this was the Son of Heaven, the Emperor of China!”
A young, boyish-looking man entered with the Empress Dowager, and Carl realized this was the Emperor of China.
Carl's first impression of Emperor Kwang-Hsu, noting his youthful appearance.
“I felt instinctively, however, this was due more to her natural courtesy—her desire to put me at ease—than to an actual expression of her opinion.”
Carl sensed that the Empress Dowager's compliments on her work were motivated by politeness and a wish to make her comfortable, rather than a genuine assessment of the portrait.
Carl's interpretation of the Empress Dowager's behavior, showing her perceptiveness.