EALC 275: Masterpieces of East Asian Literature Lecture #23: Yingying Returns: Story of the Western Wing 2 Nov. 11, 20134.2: Discovery by Madame Cui, 1 Madam Cui: • A stern matriarch • An opposite role of Crimson • Mother’s change of attitude when facing Crimson’s argument • Solution: Zhang is to succeed in the civil service exams before marrying Yingying4.2: Discovery by Madame Cui, 2 “I’d like to take you to court, but I’m afraid of disgracing our family record. Now I give Oriole to you as wife. But for three generations our family has not welcomed a son-in-law clad in white. Tomorrow you will leave for the capital to take the examinations. I will watch over your wife. If you obtain an official position, then come see me. If you fail, don’t bother.” (p.217)4.3:Zhang’s Departure, 1 Oriole sings “Duanzheng hao” A sky azure and clouded, An earth flowered yellow; The western wind is stiff, northern geese fly southward. At dawn what dyes the frosted woods the flush of drunkenness? It will ever be the tears of separated lovers. (p. 214)4.3: Zhang’s Departure, 2 Motifs of Separation • The autumn season • Ten-mile pavilion: synonymous with bidding farewell to an important person • Geese flying southward • Oriole’s worries about Zhang’s fidelity • The tradition of writing about women longing for absent men • Yingying: “Dear, whether you get an office or not, come back as fast as you can!” In what other East Asian Masterpiece have we seen autumn and flying geese as symbols of sorrow?Shifting the Singer in Different Plays • Different characters perform the singing role in different acts: 1. Crimson for the match-making: She plays the singing role in the entire of Volume 3, acts 1-4. 2. Zhang for consummation: He plays the singing role in Volume 4, act 1. 3. Oriole for departure: She plays the singing role in Volume 4, acts 2-4. • Why do you think the play changes the character in the singing role at these particular moments?4.4: Zhang’s Dream, 1 • Oriole sneaks out of her house and travels on her own to find Zhang. • Oriole seized by bandits, threatens them with the wrath of General Du. • Zhang wakes. • How do you interpret this dream?4.4: Zhang’s Dream, 2 • Oriole: “He is now dragging my heart toward him, and so I cannot avoid this distant road. I have deceived the madam, who so adept at restrictions, and evaded the serving girl, who is constantly at my side. I’m thinking about his wounded sighs as he came to mount his horse, and how I wept until I seemed a fool.” (p.224) • Zhang: “A human life, I think, suffers most bitterly from separation. How touching! A thousand miles of passes and mountains you’ve traversed all alone. Could such soul-bearing dedication be rewarded with treacherous infidelity? Even though for a while the flower is tattered, the moon is incomplete, don’t ever think you’ll be ‘a sunken jug, a broken hairpin.” (p.225)Volume 5: The Problem of Endings, 1 • Ending, different from the original story’s --Zhang has passed the exam, an essential component of the happy ending --Zhang and Oriole get married, after overcoming multiple obstaclesVolume 5: The Problem of Endings, 2 • The rival, Zheng Heng, in the clown role: --Usually doesn’t sing --Combination of crude comedy with more serious elements • The absurd rival: --Oriole’s cousin and arranged husband-to-be --A poorly educated but wellborn fool --Takes advantage of his wealth and family connections5.1-5.2 The Love Letter with the Keepsakes, 1 • Yingying sends responses to Zhang, packing several personal items: • 1. a undershirt • 2. one waist wrap • 3. one pair of stockings • 4. one jasper zither • 5. one mottled bamboo brush • Symbolisms? • Does Zhang fully understand Yingying’s hidden message? • Were gifts exchanged in the Tang dynasty chuanqi “Yingying’s Story”? What is different here?5.1-5.2 The Love Letter with the Keepsakes, 2 • Matching-rhymes/A perfectly matched couple: • Zhang sends a letter to Oriole in 5.1 with a poem • Oriole sends a letter to Zhang in 5.2 with a poem matching Zhang’s rhymes • Zhang is an orphan whose mother died • Oriole is an orphan whose father died • Each object represents one of Oriole’s talents or virtues • Each object matches the feelings in Zhang’s heart • Although the lovers often come from different family backgrounds, the “Talented Scholar and Beauty” romance convention stresses the symmetrical characteristics and matching emotions of the couple.5.3 The rival: Zheng Heng, 1 • Zheng Heng’s point: --He was Oriole’s father’s choice • Zheng Heng’s lies/false rumor: --Another popular plot: the successful examination candidate abandons his wife for a more advantageous match; hit by an embroidered ball5.3 The rival: Zheng Heng, Zheng Heng: “It would make some sense if she were given to a really wealthy family. But to give her to such a bankrupt sourpuss and starving pedant– and I of all people have to give way to him? As a humane person, I’m capable of humanity; my status derives from the roots of my status. Moreover, I’m a relation– he doesn’t even have her father’s mandate!” (p.239) Crimson: “This lout reasons falsely, based on prejudice and bias. You say only officials are suited to being officials; You let your mouth run off without considering your lot. You say the poor will always be poor, But isn’t it said, “Generals and ministers come from humble homes.” (p.241)5.4 Happily Ever After: the “Grand Reunion” Scene • Zhang is appointed a prefect in Yingying’s area and comes to marry her • Confrontation with the clown • What becomes of the clown? • Chinese plays traditionally have happy endings, with a big reunion on stage • This is called da tuanyuan 大團圓 • The songs of joy talk of political peace and harmony, as well as marriage. • Confucian ideal that the family is a microcosm of society and the empire as a whole.The ending • The point at which “Yingying’s Story” and the play utterly diverge • Inferior to the other four volumes? --Do you agree with this assessment? If you do, what is wrong with this volume? Is this a reflection on the difficulty of endings?Story of the Western Wing • Differences from “Yingying’s Story” • One of the first and most influential “Talented Scholar and