Pages 196-232

History 8 China The Examination

Summary: Chen and Hong are reunited, and are traveling with General Ma. They travel to Hangzhou with the hostage compensation given by General Ma, and walk to Suzhou. Chen delivers his letter to Meng Dafu, a tinkerer and inventor, where Meng Dafu challenges Chen with Meng's latest concoction, a mechanical typewriter. Chen also begins a relationship with Meng's daughter, Yuying, whom Meng is very protective of, and they take many walks through the Garden of the Master of Fishing Nets. Hong notices Chen's desire to spend more time with Meng and Yuying, and his strange behavior makes Hong believe that Meng was a gui - an evil spirit disguised as a human and has cast a spell on Chen. Hong goes to a Wu, a diviner and wizard, to cast off Meng's evil spirit and free Chen. When Hong returns to the Wu, she conjures Hong's mother's ghost, and tells Hong that he must get Chen to Beijing or he will be haunted by a ghost's fury. When Hong returns, Chen has decided to become Meng's apprentice. Hong tries to convince Chen that he had talked to their mother, but Chen denies that and firmly asserts that he will stay with Meng. As Chen continues his relationship with Yuying, he tries to continue their physical relationship and subconsciously tries to seduce her. Yuying is insulted and leaves Chen. Chen comes to the realization that Yuying only wanted someone to talk to, not a partner. Chen and Hong continue to Beijing and leave Meng. On their way back, they come across towns devastated by the Yellow River floods and reflect back on their hometown.

Key Concepts:

Fraternal Piety - Chen looked woebegone n the torn winged cap and dirty gown, yet they identified him as a scholar of distinction. It was an honor to be such a man's brother (199)

Confucian Duty - 'Go deliver your letter to Meng Dafu.' When Chen hesitated to leave, Three Brother urged him on. 'Yes , go do it Do your duty. Be a dutiful Confucian.' (200)

Mencius - When he appeared at the house, Meng Dafu's servant gave him a low, respectful bow of welcome. (204) ...

'Food,' the older woman muttered, one hand half-uncurled. Without heistation Chen went to her and bent down. He ladled some rice into her palm. (228-229)

Taoism - Our goal is to find the elixer of immortality. In the First Man the yin and yang were perfectly balanced, so in him the distinction between life and death vanished. (215)

Ancestors - 'If there's anyone I can call up from the dead who might offer you advice, I'll do it.' 'So you need to consult a wise and benevolent ghost?' (213)

Environment - 'Peasants, joined by local soldiers, were shoring up the levees with bales of kaoliang roots pounded into place along the tamped soil (230)

Grand Canal Picture: [1]

Garden of the Master of Fishing Nets [2]

John Kennedy