“The Willow Scholar” is a symbolic short story from Strange Tales from Liaozhai. Blending myth, fable, and social concern, it explores the relationship between humans, nature, and spirits through the resolution of a locust plague.
Plot Summary
The story takes place in the late Ming Dynasty. A locust plague arose in the regions of Qingzhou and Yanzhou, gradually spreading to Yizhou. The local county magistrate was deeply worried. One night, he dreamed of a dignified scholar dressed in green visiting him. The scholar claimed to have a strategy to ward off the locusts. He told the magistrate: “Tomorrow, on the road southwest, there will be a woman riding a female donkey. She is the Locust Goddess. If you sincerely beseech her, you can avoid the plague.”
Upon waking, the magistrate was skeptical but followed the dream’s instructions to meet the woman. Indeed, he saw a woman with a high chignon and draped clothing riding a donkey past. The magistrate burned incense, set out wine, knelt, and pleaded earnestly. The woman, however, said: “Hateful Willow Scholar! So loose-tongued to reveal my secret! I shall make him personally bear the consequences, but I will not harm the crops.” After saying this, she drank three cups of wine and vanished instantly.
Soon, locusts arrived in such numbers they blotted out the sky. Yet, they did not land on the crops. Instead, they gathered entirely on the willow trees, devouring every leaf in their path. Only then did the magistrate understand that the “Willow Scholar” who had guided him in his dream was actually the Willow Tree Spirit.
At the end, an explanation was offered: this was “the result of the magistrate’s concern for his people”. That is, the magistrate’s sincere care for the populace moved the spirits, resulting in this miraculous resolution.
Allegorical Analysis
Symbolism of Nature and Spirits:
The Willow Scholar, actually the Willow Tree Spirit, symbolizes the power of nature. His disclosure of the Locust Goddess’s whereabouts hints at nature’s inherent “self-regulating” mechanisms and also illustrates the spirits’ intervention in and compassion for human fate.
The Virtue of Advocacy for the People:
Faced with the locust disaster, the magistrate did not evade or shirk responsibility. Instead, filled with anxiety, he personally beseeched the spirits. This embodies the ancient ideal of “benevolent governance”. His sincerity moving the gods reflects the traditional concept of “governing through virtue”.
Karmic Retribution and the Spirit of Sacrifice:
The Willow Scholar was punished for “revealing divine secrets” – the locusts devouring the willow leaves symbolized the price he paid to save the people. This spirit of sacrifice praises altruism.
Metaphor for Ecological Balance:
The locusts consuming willow leaves instead of crops serves as a metaphor for the interdependence and checks within the natural world. It suggests that if humans can live in harmony with nature, following its ways, disaster can be averted.
Blending of Dream and Reality:
The story begins with a dream and ends in reality, showcasing Pu Songling’s skill in combining the real and the fantastical. He uses supernatural events to reflect on real societal issues, expressing profound thoughts on society, nature, and human nature.
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