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A Study on Two Key Characters [Wang Po (王婆) and Dai An (玳安)] in ‘Jin Ping Mei (金梅)’

  • The Journal of Chinese Cultural Studies
  • 2019, (43), pp.213-236
  • DOI : 10.18212/cccs.2019..43.010
  • Publisher : The Society For Chinese Cultural Studies
  • Research Area : Humanities > Chinese Language and Literature > Chinese Literature > Chinese Culture
  • Received : January 16, 2019
  • Accepted : February 13, 2019
  • Published : February 28, 2019

KIM JAE MIN 1

1한양여자대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This article examines the relationships between Wang Po (王婆), Dai An (玳安) and other protagonists. The narrative features of Wang Po (王婆) and Dai An (玳安) have been analyzed from three aspects: narratives of character, dialogue and behavior. The mood of the characters dominates the overall work : Wang Po (王婆) has pushed Ximen Qing (西門慶) and Pan Jinlian (潘金蓮) into the dangerous (liaison) and unspeakable relationship, while Dai An (玳安), the slave of Ximen Qing (西門慶), kept silent after witnessing all the evil behavior of his master. The value of these two characters can truly be presented when they also went down with their master at the end. In addition, the behavior of these two characters has general and specific value in the book. It made the work more stable and complete. In 'Jin Ping Mei (金甁梅)', the actions that the characters take reflect what they have on their minds. The characters hardly show any inner conflicts or hesitation in taking actions. Their instantaneous verbal and physical responses heavily rely on their instinct. The protagonist, Ximen Qing (西門慶), has the ultimate power because his thoughts and actions control others' fate, In an epic story of this kind, a lower class character such as Wang Po (王婆) or Dai An (玳安) cannot be considered as the one who is changing the course of the story or in the center of the conflict. However, Wang Po (王婆) and Dai An (玳安) have a unique voice of their own as well a those found in every human beings. The author created and developed those characters by balancing their unique and universal traits. They certainly contributed to making 'Jin Ping Mei (金甁梅)' special. 'Jin Ping Mei (金甁梅)' depicts everyday life in a given period, but it does not present it in a linear way. Wang Po (王婆) is a character who helps Panjinlian (潘金蓮) find her identity, and Dai An (玳安) is there to assist Ximen Qing (西門慶).

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