The Qing Ding Pearl

Mark Jeremiah

May 2, 2011

Eng 15

The Qing Ding Pearl

3 ways "The Qing Ding Pearl" is different than the other plays we have read

                I immediately noticed that "The Qing Ding Pearl" is different than the other plays we've read so far because the characters are not only acting, they are telling you (the audience) what they are doing. For example, In the opening scene Li Chun begins by saying, "I've fought fierce tigers on the southern mountains." Ni Jung replies, "And I've kicked the scaly dragon that swims the northern seas." (p.573-74)

They are speaking to each other, but they are acknowledging the existence of the audience. Another example of this is when Li Chun and Ni Jung meet up with Hsiao En and his daughter. Li and Ni are alone together but Li says, "Now that I'm nearer I can discern a figure on board that looks remarkably like my old comrade, Brother Hsiao. I'll call out and make sure." (p.574)  If Li and Ni are together, Li doesn't have to say "Now that I'm nearer..". That statement is meant for the audience. The other plays we've read ignores the audience and the play carries on in real time, the audience being unknown and invisible observers.

             Another difference from the other plays is this play is also a musical. The characters often burst into "hsi-p'i yao-pan"  and "hsi-p'i tao-pan" song.  The songs help to not only describe the mood, but also to describe the setting and stage directions, and even the state of mind of the characters.  For example, while Hsiao En is speaking to Li and Ni, he starts singing to his daughter, "Come out of the hold and meet your two uncles." (p.574) Then he returns to speaking again. Right before scene III Hsiao starts singing to describe the change from day to night. ("Look yonder, the evening shades are falling fast." p.575)

            Another difference The Qing Ding Pearl has from the other plays we've read is this play seems very simple and straightforward. Plays like "Master Harold and the Boys" and "Hamlet" had metaphors and deeper complex meaning (kite flying symbolic of freedom over repression, in M.Harold; and the perception vs. reality theme questioning Hamlets sanity) But the Qing Ding Pearl is very candid. The father did not have the money to pay the unfair taxes, he was punished unjustly, he rebelled by killing his persecutors; end of story.