With the Empress Dowager of China · Chapter
XXXII: The Chinese New Year—Official Audience explained
The chapter describes the celebration of the Chinese New Year at the Imperial Palace, including decorations, gift-giving, and the Empress Dowager's anxiety over the Russo-Japanese War.
What happens
The chapter describes the celebration of the Chinese New Year at the Imperial Palace, including decorations, gift-giving, and the Empress Dowager's anxiety over the Russo-Japanese War. The portrait work continues with adjustments to the hands. The Court moves to the Sea Palace, necessitating a new studio. An official audience for the diplomatic corps and legation ladies takes place. The chapter also covers the lantern festival and fireworks displays.
Themes in this chapter
Cultural Identity and Tradition
The chapter details the celebration of the Chinese New Year, including customs such as debt repayment, gift-giving, and the use of symbolic decorations like the 'Sho' character and the Double Dragon and Flaming Pearl legend.
Art and Representation
The portrait work continues, with adjustments to the hands and the move to a new studio. The chapter also describes the artistic displays of lanterns and fireworks.
Observation and Interpretation
Carl observes and interprets the New Year festivities, the Empress Dowager's anxiety, and the symbolism of the Double Dragon and Flaming Pearl, offering her own analysis.
Characters to notice
- Empress Dowager Tze-Hsi
Celebrates the New Year with gifts and decorations, but is anxious about the war. She suggests changes to the portrait's hands and moves the Court to the Sea Palace.
- Katherine A. Carl
Continues working on the portrait, adapting to the move to the Sea Palace and the new studio. She observes the New Year festivities and the official audience.
- Emperor Kwang-Hsu
Present at the New Year celebrations and the official audience, receiving congratulations from the diplomatic corps.
- Mrs. Conger
Mentioned as one of the legation ladies present at the official audience.
- Lady Yu-Keng
Mentioned as one of the ladies of the legation present at the official audience.
- Prince Ch'un
Mentioned as part of the court, though not directly involved in the chapter's events.
Key passages
“The Chinese pay all their debts at the New Year. If they have not the ready money to do so, they will dispose of anything valuable they have, in order to begin the New Year free from debt.”
At New Year, the Chinese settle all debts, even selling valuables if necessary, to start the year without owing anything.
Highlights the cultural importance of beginning the New Year debt-free.
“The Empress Dowager tried to be cheerful and not dampen the gaiety of the Festival by her alarm, but the long-looked-for and much-dreaded war between Russia and Japan had then actually begun, and she was mortally anxious!”
The Empress Dowager attempted to appear cheerful during the festival, but she was deeply worried because the feared war between Russia and Japan had just started.
Shows the Empress Dowager's anxiety amidst the celebrations.
“It was an 'Aladdin's-Lamp' move.”
The move to the Sea Palace was remarkably efficient, as if by magic.
Describes the seamless relocation of the painting studio.
