Love. One little four-letter word with as many meanings as there are people in the world -- multiplied exponentially. In fact, at least half if not most of the stories and poems written, songs sung, and movies and plays produced are about various types of love. Yet, of all the meanings, assumptions, baggage, traditions, and stories associated with love, the most glorified meaning is romantic love. It is because of the many pitfalls of glorified, romantic love that stories like "Tu Shih-Niang Sinks the Jewel Box in Anger" are written. "Tu Shih-Niang" specifically addresses not only romantic love, but also the love between a father and son, between close friends, self-sacrificing love, and self-serving love. This paper will explore and discuss the five different types of love found in "Tu Shih-Niang Sinks the Jewel Box in Anger".
The story opens by describing the social and political climate of China. In short, a war is on and money must be raised. Therefore, the emperor decides to sell positions in the imperial academies. This accomplishes three things: it raises money for the war effort, brings together students with influential people who will help forward their careers, and finally, it brings the young romantic hero to Peking (old Pinyin for the current Beijing) to meet the young romantic heroine.
Tu Shih-Niang, the heroine, is described as a "flawless piece of jade" (p. 147). In her seven years as a courtesan every man she had been with had been so charmed by her that they spent all they had "to win her attention" (p. 147). Yet, with all this attention, to the woman who runs the house, she is just a moneymaker. What Tu Shih-Niang really wants is true and lasting love. Here is the first example of romantic love as the writer introduces Li Chia.
A romantic young man, [he] had never seen a true beauty. When he met Shih-niang he was absolutely captivated by her and fell head over heels in love with her, and sin...