Top Graduate Zhang Xie: The Earliest Extant Chinese Southern Play

Top Graduate Zhang Xie is a Chinese play from the 15th century that tells the story of a scholar who is robbed and beaten by a bandit, meets an orphaned girl, and marries her. It critiques the scholar's ideal, education system, and ethical values. This is the first full English-language translation of the play, with a detailed introduction that discusses the foundations of Chinese drama.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 464 pages
Publication date: 01 June 2021
Publisher: Columbia University Press

Top Graduate Zhang Xie, a remarkable play that holds a significant place in the rich tapestry of Chinese southern dramatic tradition, stands as a pivotal milestone in the annals of Chinese literature. Dating back to the early fifteenth century, although it is possible that it was composed even earlier, this captivating masterpiece was crafted by a writing club known as the Nine Mountain Society. The play unfolds the captivating tale of a gifted scholar, driven by his unwavering ambition, embarks on a journey to the capital to partake in the imperial examinations. Along his treacherous path, he encounters a harrowing ordeal when he is robbed and brutally beaten by a bandit. Seeking solace, he finds refuge in a nearby village temple, where he meets an orphaned girl, compassionate and nurturing, who nurses him back to health and eventually becomes his wife. However, as fate would have it, his triumph in the exams brings forth a series of profound decisions that reverberate throughout his life, setting in motion a chain of events with far-reaching consequences. At the heart of this drama lies a delightful blend of preposterous farce, a penchant for clever puns, and a masterful exploration of theatrical conventions. Through its narrative, the play delves into the intricate web of love, ambition, and betrayal that emerged as a result of the conflicting expectations imposed upon scholars by their families, society, and the state. The examination system, as a means of social and economic advancement, held the promise of elevating families to esteemed positions of power and influence. The state, in turn, relied on these scholars to govern the vast empire, while society expected that education in the classics would cultivate virtuous and moral individuals. Top Graduate Zhang Xie serves as a poignant critique of the scholar's ideal, the education system, and the ethical values that were purportedly imparted through this process. This first comprehensive English-language translation of the play, accompanied by a detailed introduction that explores the foundations of Chinese drama and the nuances of its composition and performance, offers a fresh perspective on this timeless, timeless masterpiece.

Weight: 552g
Dimension: 141 x 217 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231197939