SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

Lin’er

  • The wicked servant in “Tian Qilang”

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    Ana

    In Strange Tales from Liaozhai – Tian Qilang, Lin Er’s series of actions—from overstepping boundaries due to his special status to completely trampling on ethics and loyalty—form a complete portrait of a “wicked servant.” These actions not only escalate the conflicts in the story but also expose, in an extreme way, the dark side…

  • The cruel official-merchant struggle in “Tian Qilang”

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    Ana

    The conflict between Wu Chengxiu (representing “merchants” and the wealthy class) and the censor’s younger brother (representing “officials” and power networks) in Strange Tales from Liaozhai: Tian Qilang may seem to stem from a servant’s misconduct, but it actually tears away the cruel veil of “struggles between officials and merchants” in feudal society.