With the Empress Dowager of China · Chapter
XXXI: The Empress Dowager’s Charities, Sense of Justice, Extravagance, and Personal Characteristics explained
This chapter details the Empress Dowager Tze-Hsi's charitable acts, her sense of justice as demonstrated in the Wang case, her extravagance and the palace's financial excesses, and her personal characteristics including tact, social grace,
What happens
This chapter details the Empress Dowager Tze-Hsi's charitable acts, her sense of justice as demonstrated in the Wang case, her extravagance and the palace's financial excesses, and her personal characteristics including tact, social grace, and a complex personality that blends kindness with occasional cruelty.
Themes in this chapter
Power and Governance
The Empress Dowager's use of imperial authority to dispense justice and her concern over official oppression of the people.
Nationalism and Patriotism
The Empress Dowager's strong national feeling and love for her country, as noted by Carl.
Observation and Interpretation
Carl's personal observations and interpretations of the Empress Dowager's character, including her tact and social grace.
Characters to notice
- Empress Dowager Tze-Hsi
Portrayed as patriotic, charitable, just, tactful, and socially adept, yet also impulsive and capable of sarcasm and cruelty.
- Katherine A. Carl
The author and observer, providing personal insights into the Empress Dowager's character and actions.
- Wang
A murderer during the Boxer troubles who was brought to justice due to the Empress Dowager's intervention.
- Young Prince Adalbert of Prussia
Received in special Audience by Their Majesties; his visit showcased the Empress Dowager's social charm.
Key passages
“I fear it may harass the people; we cannot harass the people; they have enough burdens to bear.”
She worried that the new tax would burden the common people, who already had enough to bear.
Shows her concern for the welfare of her subjects.
“Her Majesty read the petition, and her brow became black as night.”
Upon reading the petition, her expression darkened with anger.
Illustrates her immediate emotional response to injustice.
“She was too great a lover of Nature in all its phases to be cruel and heartless, and I am convinced she is really genuinely kind.”
Her deep love of nature suggests she is not inherently cruel, and Carl believes she is truly kind.
Carl's defense of the Empress Dowager's character.