With the Empress Dowager of China · Chapter
Palace Customs explained
This chapter details the daily routines and customs of the Empress Dowager's court, including her sleeping habits, morning audiences, personal hygiene, dining etiquette, and the strict observance of propriety, especially regarding children'
What happens
This chapter details the daily routines and customs of the Empress Dowager's court, including her sleeping habits, morning audiences, personal hygiene, dining etiquette, and the strict observance of propriety, especially regarding children's behavior.
Themes in this chapter
Power and Governance
The Empress Dowager's control over court routines and her enforcement of etiquette demonstrate her absolute authority.
Cultural Identity and Tradition
The chapter highlights traditional Chinese customs, including fasting, theater performances, and the importance of propriety.
Observation and Interpretation
Katherine Carl's detailed observations of the Empress Dowager's habits provide an outsider's interpretation of palace life.
Characters to notice
- Empress Dowager Tze-Hsi
Her daily schedule, sleeping habits, dining preferences, and strict enforcement of court etiquette are described in detail.
- Katherine A. Carl
The author observes and recounts the Empress Dowager's customs, including her posing for portraits after audiences.
- Emperor Kwang-Hsu
He pays respects to the Empress Dowager, joins her for audiences, and dines with her on theater days.
- Young Empress
She assists at the Empress Dowager's lever and is cited as an authority on etiquette, demonstrating graceful bows for children.
Key passages
“The Empress Dowager is an early riser, but the joint Audiences which Their Majesties now hold are never at the extraordinary hours in vogue when His Majesty ruled alone.”
The Empress Dowager wakes early, but the joint audiences with the Emperor are not held at the extremely early times that were common when the Emperor ruled alone.
Highlights the change in audience scheduling under the joint rule.
“She says Nature is beautiful at every hour of the twenty-four, with a different charm for each moment.”
She believes nature has its own beauty at every hour of the day, each time offering a unique appeal.
Reveals the Empress Dowager's appreciation for nature and her habit of taking moonlit walks.
“Do you think a person of superior intelligence could be offended with a baby? I send you out of the Palace to teach you a lesson, which you must teach your child.”
She asks if a wise person would be angry at a baby, explaining that she is banishing the family to teach the mother a lesson to pass on to her child.
Shows the Empress Dowager's strictness in enforcing etiquette while claiming not to blame the child.