| Author |
Giles, Herbert Allen, 1845-1935 |
| Title |
Chinese Sketches
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| Note |
Reading ease score: 56.8 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read.
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| Contents |
Preface -- The death of an Emperor -- The position of women -- Etiquette -- Literature -- Educational literature -- Dentistry -- Medical science -- Loan societies -- Guilds -- Pawnbrokers -- Postal service -- Slang -- Fortune-telling -- Games and gambling -- Jurisprudence -- Buddhist priests -- Respect for the written character -- Superstition -- Natural phenomena -- Celebration of the New Year -- The Feast of Lanterns -- Opium smoking -- Thieving -- Lying -- Suicide -- Torture -- Feng-shui -- Money -- A dinner-party -- Female children -- Travel -- Predestination -- Journalism -- Funerals -- Inquests -- Christianity -- Anti-Christian lyrics -- Conclusion.
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| Credits |
Produced by John Bickers; Dagny and David Widger
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| Summary |
"Chinese Sketches" by Herbert Allen Giles is a collection of essays that explores various aspects of Chinese culture, society, and history, written in the late 19th century. The author draws upon his experiences during eight years spent in China, challenging common Western prejudices by presenting nuanced sketches of life in the celestial empire. Throughout the text, Giles aims to provide a fair and balanced view of Chinese society, countering the negative stereotypes often held by foreigners regarding the Chinese people. The opening of "Chinese Sketches" introduces the reader to the death of Emperor Tsai-Shun (T'ung Chih), detailing the events and rituals surrounding his untimely demise at a young age. Through this account, the author elucidates Chinese customs related to mourning and the significance placed on emperors by their subjects. This section is followed by a discussion on the contrasting perceptions of women's positions in Chinese society, illustrating both the hardships faced by lower-class women and the misconceptions held by foreigners. Giles's writing blends narrative storytelling with social commentary, setting the stage for his broader exploration of Chinese life and culture throughout the book. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
DS: History: General and Eastern Hemisphere: Asia
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| Subject |
China -- Social life and customs
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
2133 |
| Release Date |
Mar 28, 2006 |
| Most Recently Updated |
Dec 14, 2012 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
148 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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