EALC 275: Masterpieces of East Asian Literature Lecture #7: “Ying-ying’s Story” by Yuan Zhen Sept.18, 2013Tang dynasty Classical Tale: The Story of Ying Ying • Love between a scholar-official (Zhang) and young woman from prominent family (Yingying)“Ying-ying’s Story” • Yuan Zhen (779-831) • Chuanqi 傳奇(“Tale of the Marvelous”) 1. Short stories written in classical Chinese 2. Typically closed with an account of how the story came to be written down 3. They include some of the earliest martial arts stories and supernatural tales 4. They often reflect a Tang dynasty culture of romance Autobiographical?“Ying-ying’s Story” 5. Incorporating different literary genres within the story: - Zhang’s poem to Ying-ying - Ying-ying’s letter - Yuanzhen’s poem, “Meeting the Holy One” 5. References to previous masterpieces: “Coats of Feathers, Rainbow Skirts” • --What does the inclusion of these materials add to the story?Ying-ying’s Story, Part 1: First encounter • Main characters: Student Zhang, Mrs. Zheng (Madam Cui), and Ms. Cui Yingying, how they are related • The temple, the riot, the favor by Zhang • The appreciation banquet; the first encounter• Hong-niang: “Red maid,” her name became synonymous for “match-maker” after the circulation of the Ying-ying story • See: hongniang.com • The poem exchange • The first night together • The second night: the West Porch (or Western Chamber) 西廂 • The farewell: Ying-ying’s “strange behavior,” no words spoken, silent reproach Ying-ying’s Story, Part 2: Seduction• Zhang travels to Chang’an to take the civil service examination • Ying-ying’s musical performance on the harp, interrupted by her sadness • Ying-ying’s letter: • -- Thanks Zhang for gifts (flower cut-outs, lip-rouge) • -- “For whom will I now make myself beautiful? First reproach • -- “Such is fate. What more is there to say? Ying-ying’s Story, Part 3a: Abandonment• Ying-ying’s three gifts in return: 1. Jade ring from childhood: Jade=firm and luminous, ring=continues forever 2. A single strand of tangled silken floss: based on a pun “Silk” (si 絲)= “Thoughts of longing (si 思) 3. A tea grinder of speckled bamboo: representing her tearstains Reciprocal gifts/ Reciprocal feelings, Second indirect reproach Ying-ying’s Story, Part 3b: Abandonment• Zhang decides to share the letter with his friends and they discuss the affair: 1. Quatrain: “Miss Cui” by Yang Ju-yuan 2. “Meeting the Holy One” in 60 lines by Yuan Zhen: p.130 “Her filmy gauze hangs like a thin haze, soft breezes resound with her waist-hung rings. Crimson standards follow the Goddess of the West, the heart of clouds proffers the Lad of Jade.” An elusive goddess/ Separate realms of immortals and humans Ying-ying’s Story, Part 4: Evaluation/MotivesQuestions: • 1. What feelings does Ying-ying express in her letter to Zhang? (pp.129-130) • 2. How is Ying-ying presented in the two poems by Zhang’s friends at the end of the story? (pp.130-131) • 3. How would you explain the reasons for Ying-ying’s abandonment at the end?Conclusion: Views of Ying-ying 1. Unpredictable goddess (Yuanzhen’s poem) 2. Would be femme fatale (Zhang’s comment) Idea of youwu 尤物 (object taken to the extreme)： p. 131, “All such creatures ordained by Heaven to possess bewitching beauty will inevitably cast a curse on others if they don’t do the same to themselves.” 3. Abandoned woman (Ying-ying’s letter)Conclusion: Views of Zhang 1. Young man who erred, but corrected his ways before it was too late: p.127, “He held steadfastly to his personal principles and refused to become involved in anything improper.” 2. A callous and fickle young man who betrays Ying-ying’s love: --Last meeting between Zhang and Ying- ying/ Ying-ying’s parting poemMultiple Contradictions 1. Ying-ying’s stern criticism of Zhang on first meeting, followed by her willingness to join him in the Western Chamber. 2. Zhang’s infatuation with Ying-ying’s beauty, but his later reluctance to “regularize the relationship” in marriage as Madame Zheng asked. 3. Contradiction smoothed out in later drama Record of the Western ChamberNext Assignments for Friday and Monday • Friday (Sept.20): 1. Quiz #3 on Bai Juyi’s “Song of Lasting Pain” and Yuan Zhen’s “Ying-ying’s Story.” 2. Viewing of Chinese TV-series adaptation of the drama Record of the Western Chamber. • Monday (Sept.23) • Buddhism: 1. Read Coursepacket, pp.51-81: “The Four Noble Truths” and “The Essential