Moment in Peking
Encyclopedia
Moment in Peking (also translated as ) is an historical novel
originally written in English
by the Chinese American
author Lin Yutang
. The novel covers the turbulent events in China
from 1900 to 1938, including the Boxer Uprising
, the Republican Revolution of 1911
, the Warlord Era
, the rise of nationalism and communism, and the origins of the Sino-Japanese War of 1937-1945.
The author tries not to be overly judgmental of the characters because he recognizes that too many issues were involved in the chaotic years of the early twentieth century China. There are no absolutely right or wrong characters. Each character held a piece of truth and reality and a piece of irrationality. In the preface, Lin writes that "[This novel] is merely a story of... how certain habits of living and ways of thinking are formed and how, above all, [men and women] adjust themselves to the circumstances in this earthly life where men strive but gods rule."
While the author does not display hatred toward the Japanese, he does let events and situations affecting the novel characters to let the reader clearly see the reason the Chinese are still bitter about Japan's military past. The novel ends with a cliffhanger, letting the readers hope that the major characters who fled from the coastal regions to the inland of China would survive the horrible war.
Lin wrote the book in English for a U.S. audience. He originally wanted the poet Yu Dafu
to do the Chinese translation, but Yu had only completed the first section when he was killed by the Japanese in World War II. Lin did not particularly like the first complete Chinese translation, which was done by 1941.
In 1977 Zhang Zhenyu, a translator from Taiwan, created what is the most popular translation today. It was not available in mainland China until a publisher in Jilin
issued a sanitized version in 1987. The current political climate permits Shaanxi Normal University
Press to publish the full translation. Yu Dafu's son Yu Fei (郁飞) finished his own translation in 1991, but his version is not widely read.
The protagonist of the story, Mulan, is from the wealthy Yao family. During the Boxer Rebellion she is kidnapped by bandits, and then rescued by the Tseng family; the two families thereafter become close friends. Mulan is lively, intelligent, and generous, as well as extremely responsible. Her father has always encouraged her interests, among them her intense interest in "bone characters" (the study of ancient Chinese characters written on bones) and the singing of Chinese opera
. Her intelligence, along with her kindhearted nature, catch the interest of a young man named Kung Lifu. Mulan feels attracted to Lifu, but she honors her family's wish and advice that she marry Sunya; this marriage is mainly harmonious. Together they have one child, Amei.
Mulan's husband, Tseng Sunya, is affectionately called "Fatty" by Mulan. As the youngest son of his family, Sunya is arguably the least responsible one, but has what is called a "round character". He and Mulan had gotten to know each other well when Mulan was rescued from bandits by his parents when they were children. As the two families became increasingly close, their engagement was planned happily.
A scholar and Yao Mochow's husband, he originally fell in love with Mulan, but married Mochow.
Yao Mulan's sister, she is also very clever and attractive. She had been in love with Sunya but a misunderstanding with Lihua separated them. She went out with Niu HuaiYu and finally married Lifu.
He was a playboy when he was young. But he became a great Taoist later. He influenced Lifu very much.
He was interested in "oracle bones"
A traditional Chinese woman. She loved her oldest son, Tijen, best. She opposed Tijen and Silverscreen's love, and caused their death. She was sad and very unhealthy in her later life.
She was the concubine or maid at the Tseng household. She had two daughters Ailien and Lilien, who became modern ladies and married doctors. However, she was very interested in the Tseng heritage.
He was a typical old Manchuria officer, incorrigible and fossil. He hated everything about foreign countries.
The leader of the Tseng family. She held the family together, and she liked Mulan and Mannia, but hated Suyun. She had a very strong character trait.
Her parents thought Jinya was a man who had the right characters to be a successful officer, so Suyun married Chinya. During their marriage, she bossed and ordered him around like a busboy. Suyun later became a friend of Inging who was her second brother's concubine. She divorced Chinya, and became an officer's concubine and also the infamous Japanese-controlled heroin dealer known as the "White Flour Queen". Years later, she finally recognized her mistake. She was killed by the Japanese.
Married to the Tseng's eldest son, Pingya. She became a widow the day after her wedding. Aunt Gui wanted her to get married again with a doctor. In order to avoid this, she went to the temple and adopt a child and had to stay in the Tseng family forever. She committed suicide during the Japanese war, and remained virgin till death.
The second son of the New family. He left his wife and four children, and married a singsong girl named Inging (莺莺). He became a betrayer of his country, and was nearly killed by his eldest son.
The second son of the Tseng family. He was a coward and ask just to have a peaceful life. He was kind to everybody. He fell in love with Dimfragrance
The eldest son of the Tseng family. He loved Mannia very much, however, he died the day after his wedding.
She was kidnapped when she was a child, and met Mulan. When Mulan was saved by Mr. Tseng, Dimfragrance was sold to other family. She became a nursery maid of Mulan's child some years later. She finally found her family, and became Jinya's second wife.
A young art student. She met Sunya in Hangzhou, and fell in love with him. Sunya lied to her that his wife was an old and fat country woman. When she met Mulan, she was surprised, and eventually became her friend.However, she gave birth to a babyboy. Sunya'mother take the baby and did not want to give it back to Lihua. Finally, she died in front of the Tseng House.
Mulan's older brother. He was a typical foppish man. His father sent him to England to study, but he spent all of the money in Hong Kong. He fell in love with his servant girl Silverscreen, and had a son with her. Their love was against by his mother. After Silverscreen's suicide, he died in an accident.
Mulan's younger brother. He was taught well by his father.
A Manchuria princess. Her family once owned the garden which became Yao's later. Her family believed that there were much treasure buried in the garden, and sent her to Yao family to work as a servant girl to find the treasure. She married Afei after Redjade's death.
Mulan, Mochow, and Afei's cousin. She was madly in love with Afei, and admired Lin Daiyu from the classic Dream of the Red Chamber
(红楼梦). When she misunderstood a conversation and thought that Afei didn't love her, she committed suicide by drowning herself.
.
Historical novel
According to Encyclopædia Britannica, a historical novel is-Development:An early example of historical prose fiction is Luó Guànzhōng's 14th century Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which covers one of the most important periods of Chinese history and left a lasting impact on Chinese culture.The...
originally written in English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
by the Chinese American
Chinese American
Chinese Americans represent Americans of Chinese descent. Chinese Americans constitute one group of overseas Chinese and also a subgroup of East Asian Americans, which is further a subgroup of Asian Americans...
author Lin Yutang
Lin Yutang
Lin Yutang was a Chinese writer and inventor. His informal but polished style in both Chinese and English made him one of the most influential writers of his generation, and his compilations and translations of classic Chinese texts into English were bestsellers in the West.-Youth:Lin was born in...
. The novel covers the turbulent events in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
from 1900 to 1938, including the Boxer Uprising
Boxer Rebellion
The Boxer Rebellion, also called the Boxer Uprising by some historians or the Righteous Harmony Society Movement in northern China, was a proto-nationalist movement by the "Righteous Harmony Society" , or "Righteous Fists of Harmony" or "Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists" , in China between...
, the Republican Revolution of 1911
Xinhai Revolution
The Xinhai Revolution or Hsinhai Revolution, also known as Revolution of 1911 or the Chinese Revolution, was a revolution that overthrew China's last imperial dynasty, the Qing , and established the Republic of China...
, the Warlord Era
Warlord era
The Chinese Warlord Era was the period in the history of the Republic of China, from 1916 to 1928, when the country was divided among military cliques, a division that continued until the fall of the Nationalist government in the mainland China regions of Sichuan, Shanxi, Qinghai, Ningxia,...
, the rise of nationalism and communism, and the origins of the Sino-Japanese War of 1937-1945.
The author tries not to be overly judgmental of the characters because he recognizes that too many issues were involved in the chaotic years of the early twentieth century China. There are no absolutely right or wrong characters. Each character held a piece of truth and reality and a piece of irrationality. In the preface, Lin writes that "[This novel] is merely a story of... how certain habits of living and ways of thinking are formed and how, above all, [men and women] adjust themselves to the circumstances in this earthly life where men strive but gods rule."
While the author does not display hatred toward the Japanese, he does let events and situations affecting the novel characters to let the reader clearly see the reason the Chinese are still bitter about Japan's military past. The novel ends with a cliffhanger, letting the readers hope that the major characters who fled from the coastal regions to the inland of China would survive the horrible war.
Lin wrote the book in English for a U.S. audience. He originally wanted the poet Yu Dafu
Yu Dafu
Yu Dafu . Born in Fuyang, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, was a modern Chinese short story writer and poet.-Early years:...
to do the Chinese translation, but Yu had only completed the first section when he was killed by the Japanese in World War II. Lin did not particularly like the first complete Chinese translation, which was done by 1941.
In 1977 Zhang Zhenyu, a translator from Taiwan, created what is the most popular translation today. It was not available in mainland China until a publisher in Jilin
Jilin
Jilin , is a province of the People's Republic of China located in the northeastern part of the country. Jilin borders North Korea and Russia to the east, Heilongjiang to the north, Liaoning to the south, and Inner Mongolia to the west...
issued a sanitized version in 1987. The current political climate permits Shaanxi Normal University
Shaanxi Normal University
The Shaanxi Normal University is one of the bottom educational universities in the People's Republic of China that are authorized to make the degrees available for the purchase in the educational of the training.- Overview :...
Press to publish the full translation. Yu Dafu's son Yu Fei (郁飞) finished his own translation in 1991, but his version is not widely read.
Main characters
Many characters in Moment in Peking are from three wealthy families: Yao, Tseng (Zeng), and New (Niu). However, there are additional characters not from these families that play an integral part in the story, such as Lifu.- Yao Mulan (姚木兰)
The protagonist of the story, Mulan, is from the wealthy Yao family. During the Boxer Rebellion she is kidnapped by bandits, and then rescued by the Tseng family; the two families thereafter become close friends. Mulan is lively, intelligent, and generous, as well as extremely responsible. Her father has always encouraged her interests, among them her intense interest in "bone characters" (the study of ancient Chinese characters written on bones) and the singing of Chinese opera
Chinese opera
Chinese opera is a popular form of drama and musical theatre in China with roots going back as far as the third century CE...
. Her intelligence, along with her kindhearted nature, catch the interest of a young man named Kung Lifu. Mulan feels attracted to Lifu, but she honors her family's wish and advice that she marry Sunya; this marriage is mainly harmonious. Together they have one child, Amei.
- Tseng Sunya (Zeng Sunya, 曾荪亚)
Mulan's husband, Tseng Sunya, is affectionately called "Fatty" by Mulan. As the youngest son of his family, Sunya is arguably the least responsible one, but has what is called a "round character". He and Mulan had gotten to know each other well when Mulan was rescued from bandits by his parents when they were children. As the two families became increasingly close, their engagement was planned happily.
- Kung Lifu (Kong Lifu, 孔立夫)
A scholar and Yao Mochow's husband, he originally fell in love with Mulan, but married Mochow.
- Yao Mochow (Yao Mochou, 姚莫愁)
Yao Mulan's sister, she is also very clever and attractive. She had been in love with Sunya but a misunderstanding with Lihua separated them. She went out with Niu HuaiYu and finally married Lifu.
- Yao Sze-an (Yao Si'an) (姚思安)
He was a playboy when he was young. But he became a great Taoist later. He influenced Lifu very much.
He was interested in "oracle bones"
- Mrs. Yao (姚太太)
A traditional Chinese woman. She loved her oldest son, Tijen, best. She opposed Tijen and Silverscreen's love, and caused their death. She was sad and very unhealthy in her later life.
- Cassia (Aunt Gui, 桂姨)
She was the concubine or maid at the Tseng household. She had two daughters Ailien and Lilien, who became modern ladies and married doctors. However, she was very interested in the Tseng heritage.
- Tseng Wenpo (曾文伯)
He was a typical old Manchuria officer, incorrigible and fossil. He hated everything about foreign countries.
- Mrs. Tseng (曾太太)
The leader of the Tseng family. She held the family together, and she liked Mulan and Mannia, but hated Suyun. She had a very strong character trait.
- New Suyun (Niu Suyun, 牛素云)
Her parents thought Jinya was a man who had the right characters to be a successful officer, so Suyun married Chinya. During their marriage, she bossed and ordered him around like a busboy. Suyun later became a friend of Inging who was her second brother's concubine. She divorced Chinya, and became an officer's concubine and also the infamous Japanese-controlled heroin dealer known as the "White Flour Queen". Years later, she finally recognized her mistake. She was killed by the Japanese.
- Sun Mannia (孙曼娘)
Married to the Tseng's eldest son, Pingya. She became a widow the day after her wedding. Aunt Gui wanted her to get married again with a doctor. In order to avoid this, she went to the temple and adopt a child and had to stay in the Tseng family forever. She committed suicide during the Japanese war, and remained virgin till death.
- New Huaiyu (牛怀玉)
The second son of the New family. He left his wife and four children, and married a singsong girl named Inging (莺莺). He became a betrayer of his country, and was nearly killed by his eldest son.
- Tseng Chinya (Zeng Jinya, 曾襟亚)
The second son of the Tseng family. He was a coward and ask just to have a peaceful life. He was kind to everybody. He fell in love with Dimfragrance
- Tseng Pingya (曾平亚)
The eldest son of the Tseng family. He loved Mannia very much, however, he died the day after his wedding.
- Dimfragrance (暗香)
She was kidnapped when she was a child, and met Mulan. When Mulan was saved by Mr. Tseng, Dimfragrance was sold to other family. She became a nursery maid of Mulan's child some years later. She finally found her family, and became Jinya's second wife.
- Tsao Lihua (Cao Lihua, 曹丽华)
A young art student. She met Sunya in Hangzhou, and fell in love with him. Sunya lied to her that his wife was an old and fat country woman. When she met Mulan, she was surprised, and eventually became her friend.However, she gave birth to a babyboy. Sunya'mother take the baby and did not want to give it back to Lihua. Finally, she died in front of the Tseng House.
- Yao Tijen (Yao Tiren, 姚体仁)
Mulan's older brother. He was a typical foppish man. His father sent him to England to study, but he spent all of the money in Hong Kong. He fell in love with his servant girl Silverscreen, and had a son with her. Their love was against by his mother. After Silverscreen's suicide, he died in an accident.
- Afei (阿非，姚非)
Mulan's younger brother. He was taught well by his father.
- Tung Paofen (Dong Baofen, 董宝芬）
A Manchuria princess. Her family once owned the garden which became Yao's later. Her family believed that there were much treasure buried in the garden, and sent her to Yao family to work as a servant girl to find the treasure. She married Afei after Redjade's death.
- Redjade (红玉)
Mulan, Mochow, and Afei's cousin. She was madly in love with Afei, and admired Lin Daiyu from the classic Dream of the Red Chamber
Dream of the Red Chamber
Dream of the Red Chamber , composed by Cao Xueqin, is one of China's Four Great Classical Novels. It was composed in the middle of the 18th century during the Qing Dynasty. It is considered to be a masterpiece of Chinese vernacular literature and is generally acknowledged to be a pinnacle of...
(红楼梦). When she misunderstood a conversation and thought that Afei didn't love her, she committed suicide by drowning herself.
Adaptations
The novel has been adapted twice into a television drama, including the most recent version in 2005, starring Zhao WeiZhao Wei
Zhao Wei is a mainland Chinese film actress and pop singer. Audiences sometimes refer to her by her English name, Vicki Zhao...
.