# XVI: The Great Audience Hall—Some Official Customs explained — With the Empress Dowager of China

> Chapter companion for With the Empress Dowager of China by Katharine A. Carl.

## What happens

This chapter describes the Great Audience Hall at the Summer Palace, where the Emperor and Empress Dowager hold their official audiences. It details the physical layout, the customs and protocols observed during these audiences, including the use of cushions for kneeling, the role of eunuchs, and the significance of the kowtow. The chapter also recounts an anecdote about the young Emperor Kwang-Hsu's impatience during audiences and reflects on the sacredness of the imperial persons.

## Themes in this chapter

### Power and Governance

The chapter details the mechanics of imperial audiences, the hierarchy of officials, and the symbolic and practical aspects of exercising power.

### Observation and Interpretation

Carl provides an outsider's perspective on Chinese court customs, interpreting their meaning and significance for Western readers.

### Cultural Identity and Tradition

The kowtow and other ceremonial practices are presented as time-honored traditions that define Chinese cultural identity.

## Character check-ins

### Emperor Kwang-Hsu

Described as having held audiences at three a.m. due to shyness, and later as a young ruler who would slip away from the throne during tedious reports.

### Empress Dowager Tze-Hsi

Mentioned as receiving urgent telegrams and despatches outside audience hours during grave events, showing her active role in state affairs.

### Prince Ching

Identified as the Prime Minister who has the last audience of the day and whose cushion is nearest the throne.

### Katherine A. Carl

The author and narrator, providing observations on the customs and layout of the Audience Hall.

## Key lines

> When His Majesty the Emperor reigned alone, he was in the habit of holding his Audiences as early as three o’clock a.m.

When the Emperor ruled by himself, he would hold his audiences at the very early hour of three in the morning.

_Highlights the Emperor's personal habits and the early start of state business._

> The kowtow is not only made by people at the Palace and at Imperial Audiences: it is sometimes used by equals to each other as a proper manner of thanking for some great favor.

The kowtow is not limited to the palace; even equals may perform it to express gratitude for a significant favor.

_Explains the broader social use of the kowtow beyond imperial contexts._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xvi-the-great-audience-hall-some-official-customs
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters