With the Empress Dowager of China · Chapter
XV: The Literary Tastes and Accomplishments of the Empress Dowager explained
This chapter explores the Empress Dowager Tze-Hsi's literary abilities, her appreciation for Chinese classics and poetry, her love of theater, her strict standards for spoken Chinese, and her artistic talents in calligraphy.
What happens
This chapter explores the Empress Dowager Tze-Hsi's literary abilities, her appreciation for Chinese classics and poetry, her love of theater, her strict standards for spoken Chinese, and her artistic talents in calligraphy. It also touches on her personal habits, such as her preference for palace-made soaps and perfumes, and her remarkable influence over animals, illustrating her multifaceted personality and cultural refinement.
Themes in this chapter
Cultural Identity and Tradition
The chapter highlights the Empress Dowager's deep engagement with Chinese literary classics, calligraphy, and theater, reflecting her role as a custodian of cultural heritage.
Gender and Women's Roles
The Empress Dowager's literary accomplishments are noted as rare for a woman, and the chapter contrasts her with the 'Literary Empress' of the Eastern Palace, showing women's intellectual capabilities in a patriarchal society.
Art and Representation
The Empress Dowager's calligraphy, her appreciation of theater, and her creation of perfumes and soaps are presented as forms of artistic expression.
Characters to notice
- Empress Dowager Tze-Hsi
Her literary tastes, memory, calligraphy, and personal habits are detailed.
- Katherine A. Carl
Observer who recounts the Empress Dowager's literary and personal traits.
- Late Emperor Tung-Chih
Mentioned as the son of the Empress Dowager; his widow is a frequent visitor.
- Whar-Mou-Lahn
A favorite historical character of the Empress Dowager, the Chinese Jeanne d'Arc.
- Confucius
Implied through references to the classics and literary traditions.
Key passages
“She writes a graceful poem, is able to express herself in elegant Chinese, as well as in the ruder, more forcible Manchu language.”
The Empress Dowager composes poetry with elegance and is fluent in both refined Chinese and the more direct Manchu tongue.
Highlights her linguistic versatility and literary skill.
“One of her favorite historical characters is the Chinese Jeanne d’Arc, the warlike Maiden, Whar-Mou-Lahn, who went forth to battle in masculine guise, had many heroic adventures in her twelve years’ service, and, through them all, remained a virgin pure.”
She admires the legendary warrior woman Whar-Mou-Lahn, who fought disguised as a man for twelve years while maintaining her purity.
Shows her taste for heroic tales and strong female figures.
“She can repeat pages, not only of the classics, but of her favorite authors.”
Her memory is so exceptional that she can recite entire pages from classical texts and beloved authors.
Emphasizes her extraordinary memory, a valued trait in Chinese culture.
“She is very particular about the way Chinese is spoken, a great stickler for purity of expression and elegance of style.”
She insists on correct pronunciation and refined speech, showing her dedication to linguistic purity.
Illustrates her high standards for language use.
“One of the most precious gifts the Empress Dowager makes, and which is sacredly treasured by its recipients, is a scroll with a single great character written upon it by Her Majesty’s own hand.”
A scroll bearing a single large character written by the Empress Dowager is considered a highly valued gift.
Demonstrates her calligraphic skill and the cultural significance of such gifts.
