As the beginning of the “The Scholars,” Wu Ching-Tzu used Wang Mien’s story as an example to show what a clever, remarkable man should be. The story is started with an introspective question: “in human life riches, rank, success and fame are external things. Men will risk their lives in the search for them; yet once they have them within their grasp, the taste is no better than chewed tallow. But from ancient times till now, how many have accepted this?”
This question shows that Wu Ching-Tzu believes a remarkable man should be talented and intelligent, but indifferent to fame and wealth, like Wang Mien in the first story. There are several reasons why Wang Mien wants to be far away from the social ladder. But one of the most important reasons is because he respects and listens to his mother. As Confucian value children should be dutiful to their parents, Wang Mien’s behavior shows that he kept with Confucian traditions and values, and placed them above all else. Does not matter how poor and how talented he is, he just simply wants a normal life as a citizen.
In the second and third chapter, Chou Chin is the main character who is talented, but not respected by other people. Other people underestimated him simply because he never got chosen in the examination. Wu Ching-Tzu shows that even other people who got chosen from the examination are not smarter or greater. In fact, those people may even be immoral. Later on, Fan
Chin rereads his essay for three times and finally find out Chou Chin’s intelligent and talent.
Chou Chin still passed the examination, although later than others, he has better ability and smarter thinking. Moreover, because Chou Chin has the ability and experience in teaching, Chou
Chin could give advises to people who had failed the examination and people who need advises.
Chou Chin is willing to help others, instead of underestimate and laugh at others.
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
In Ancient Rome, loyalty to family and state was highly important. The nobles of Rome were constantly reminded to be aware of their fathers and grandfathers successes. We know this because the term pietas; meaning “dutifulness”; depicts these values. Also, we know of these the importance of family because typically at a Roman funeral, they would exhibit masks’ of their ancestors and their deeds. This regard to ancestors resembles that of Confucianism, which was highly practiced in Han China. The core of Confucianism was known as “filial piety”, meaning the respect and obedience that children owed their…
- 319 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Liu compares himself with James Baldwin and agree his statement “the world is white not longer and it will never be white again” because Baldwin was first black who step foot in the tiny Swiss village and ending up feeling not much a stranger , and liu felt that after his journey that he is not an alien but he is a citizen . Liu feel that he has neglected his heritage, and that he lost something. That even though he could speak Chinese and cook Chinese food he could not claim to be Chinese at the core. But he would not admit he is “white inside”.…
- 619 Words
- 3 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Filial piety played an important role throughout The Death of Woman Wang, and was demonstrated in several interactions and consequences. Ts’ui Meng is a great example of how Confucian views were present in the northeastern corner of China, but not idealistic. At the age of sixteen, Ts’ui Meng was known as a violent boy around the neighborhood. “Only to his mother did Ts’ui show respect, and he would calm down when she appeared: she would scold him for his conduct, and he would respond obediently to all her commands…” (79). Filial piety or simply respect and support for one’s family…
- 495 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Confucianism, developed by the philosopher Confucius, during times of conflict in early B.C, soon became the dominating belief system in China. Confucianism was based on mutual relationships; husband to wife, father to son, leader to subjects. Social harmony could be achieved through respect for the elders, as well as respect and kindness for those people lower in social rank. This applied to the politics of China because it set the basis for the belief of obedience to the emperor, as long as the emperor treated his subjects kindly, and with respect. The idea of Filial Piety was humility towards one superior. Because of this, in China, leaders and elders were in the highest regard.…
- 577 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
In the book “American Born Chinese” characterization helps develop the theme of rejecting one's self, and then coming around and finding self acceptance. The Monkey King found self acceptance after being trapped under a mountain of rock for 500 years. As well as Jin found self acceptance when he apologized to Wei-Chen for being such a bad friend. Also Danny found self acceptance after being beat up and transforming back into Jin his real form, and realizing that he can not be what he alway wants and the just accept yourself.…
- 91 Words
- 1 Page
Satisfactory Essays -
Li Chi’s actions are an example of the tests, allies, and enemies aspect of…
- 226 Words
- 1 Page
Good Essays -
The Tao te Ching is one of the most widely read sacred texts, due to its simplicity and depth. It appeal is universal, and has been found relevant by Christians, Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and even Quantum Physicists. Attributed to Lao-tzu, (580-500 B.C.), it may predate him by few centuries. The earliest known copy of the Tao te Ching date to the third century B.C (Sacred Text).…
- 609 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Wang Anyi, who lives and writes in China, does not pursue the politics of the situation. She just states them as givens and focuses instead on the family dynamics and the difficulties experienced by Chen Xin in "fitting in," both physically into a small space and mentally and emotionally as well. City life is very different from his life in the country and one of the themes of the story, a theme alluded to in the story's title, is that Chen Xin's longing to return to the city has given him a goal (a "destination" in other words), but he is not satisfied when he reaches it. Something is still missing.…
- 646 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
With the many customs of the Chinese Empire, the practices of Confucianism came along. The teachings of Confucius preached behavior based upon the five relationships (doc.1). The values of the five relationships were respect, obedience and care taking. The teachings of Confucius included a huge belief in education (doc.2). The teachings of Confucius created the bases for the Chinese value of Respect because they were taught to respect their superiors. The teachings of Confucius created the value of education in china. For example, Chinese boys studied from age 7 until they took the civil service exam to attain a government position which brought wealth and power to their families (doc.4).…
- 318 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Hsun Tzu was a devoted follower of Confucius, despite his departure from a more "typical" Confucian way of thinking. He believed in dedicated and effective political officials who based their governance on action. This official would grow up in a system of being taught self- cultivation for the betterment of one's virtues by living modestly amongst those who did not. Hsun Tzu's philosophy of governance, economics, and morality was considered to be a much more sound philosophy of Chinese thought because it relied upon sacrifice for the cultivation of a modest and well-schooled society.…
- 1645 Words
- 7 Pages
Better Essays -
Recent travels to China have opened my eyes to both the flaws and the valuable parts of Chinese society and government. Much can be learned from the mistakes and successes of the Chinese society and government. The confucian ideals which started in China teach us the importance of respecting specific relationships, such as the priceless relationship between a subject and his ruler. From the Confucian time we also understand the importance of educational standards and morals, while the legalist ideals from ancient China show us the value in balance of punishment and reward. Furthermore, from Chinese government we can learn the significance of motivation to lead in a just, sensible, and ethical manner.…
- 1048 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
This government pushes individuals to show respect to their elders and concern for those in lower social levels. Obedience and loyalty to one’s family and ancestors, good service and manners are expected at all times. Confucius said: “ I don’t worry about not having a good position; I worry about the means I use to gain position. I don’t worry about being unknown; I seek to be known in the right way.” it stressed good conduct and careful thought in all things and enveloped qualities like loyalty, self discipline and respect for your ancestors, elders and…
- 636 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
The Han dynasty (206 BC - AD 220) “is the first of the five great Chinese dynasties.” “The others are the T’ang (7th-10th centuries), Song (10th-13th), Ming (14th-17th) and Qing (17th-20th).” (Gascoigne pg.3) Under the Han dynasty, confucianism is once again supported forming the Confucian examination system a key part in the administrative system. The Han rulers focus…
- 773 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
References: .Chuang Tzu, Basic Writings. Trans. Burton Watson (Columbia University Press, New York, 1996), 1-3.…
- 1291 Words
- 4 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Filial piety developed from Confucianism, it is an elements that affects Chinese culture and tradition. Filial piety also established a family system, which has influences on most Chinese families. Because from the cultural concept, most families has the social value for each family numbers, such as, man should be the center of the family, the children of the family should be always obey their parents. Women’s social status and family status was lower than men, because from the Confucianism ideology, women should stay in the family and support the families’ daily life.…
- 378 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays