Reading Notes Week 5, Feng Menglong, Part A


Feng Menglog (1574-1646) Most versatile writers of early modern China/Ardent scholar of the Confucian Classics

Introduction to a soon to be corrupt system civil/political/logrolling “In view of the present armed strife, our logistical supplies are insufficient. Let us provisionally adopt the precedent of accepting payment in exchange for positions in the imperial academy” (500).

Du Tenth/Master Li, Prostitution /rank/money / an arrangement of sexual favor develops into real affections towards one another. The theme of money equals power.  Career advancement based on money/love is not more valuable than money.

The women of low standing showed honor/kindness/concern for the Mater and Tenth than the friends/acquaintance of the master’s caliber.  Yuelang stated, “Our sister will be journeying hundreds of miles over the hill and dale along with her husband. Yet her savings are scanty, and she is not in the lease prepared. This is a matter that should concern all of us” (507).

Master Li has shown himself to be a foolish and immature man. He also was selfish considering that Du Tenth had giving all her saving to him to be free from her madam to be with him. Yet, he was concerned with his attire and spent all the money he would need to take care of his future wife who sacrificed everything she had.

Feng Menglong uses beautiful, witty poetic breaks to transition into new paragraphs/describe scenery/emotions.

He also through the characters of master Li and Sun Fun, readers can see a man’s obsession with a woman’s outer countenance. Women, to some extent, had power of men through their lustful emotions.

Sun Fun is a manipulator and takes advantage of master Li ignorance/ financial predicament/and weakness. Li is a man incapable of caring for himself, not to mention a wife. He is easily swayed by the opinions of others. “It is not that I am covetous of the charms of the lovely one. The truth is that I am eager to give some small expressions of my devotion to your welfare” (512). “Now Li Jia had always been a man with no backbone” (513).  

The story ends as a tragic love story. A man who never saw the true value in Tenth. He always saw her as a burden/commodity. 

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