Strange Tales from Liaozhai Studio: The Sorcerer’s Curse (Witchcraft) centers on the clash between good and evil. Through supernatural events, Pu Songling explores folk beliefs in sorcery while probing profound themes of courage, morality, and karmic justice.
Plot Summary:
During the Chongzhen era (late Ming Dynasty), martial arts enthusiast Master Yu travels to the capital for imperial examinations. His servant falls ill, and a fortune-teller (practicing Eight Trigrams divination) predicts: the servant will recover, but Yu faces mortal danger within three days. Though offered “protection” for ten taels of silver, Yu — trusting fate — refuses.
For three days, all seems calm. On the final night, Yu is attacked sequentially by:
- A paper cutout warrior,
- A clay figurine demon,
- A wooden puppet monster.
He defeats all three with courage and skill. The assaults are later revealed as the fortune-teller’s scheme to “prove” his prophecy. The next day, Yu and friends expose the sorcerer using dog’s blood (breaking his invisibility) and deliver him to authorities for execution.
Allegorical Meanings
Triumph of Courage and Reason:
Yu’s victory embodies “ordinary bravery conquering sorcerous evil.” In repressive Qing society, such courage satirizes widespread cowardice.
Condemnation of Malice and Sorcery:
The sorcerer represents pure villainy. His downfall underscores Pu Songling’s belief: “Dark arts crumble when confronted” — reliant on deceit, they fail against direct resistance.
Karmic Retribution:
The “evil repaid” ending offers moral guidance and acts as Pu’s “compensatory vision” for Qing-era injustice — where good suffered while evil thrived.
Deconstructing Supernatural Fear:
The tale rationally demystifies sorcery: its power stems from human fear and credulity, not divine force. By remaining clear-headed and brave, ordinary mortals can prevail. This reflects Pu’s rationalism: sorcery is merely “illusion exploiting information asymmetry and terror.”
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