# XXXI: The Empress Dowager’s Charities, Sense of Justice, Extravagance, and Personal Characteristics explained — With the Empress Dowager of China

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

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xxxi-the-empress-dowager-s-charities-sense-of-justice-extravagance-and-personal-characteristics
- 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