It is has been argued that personal character or traits are culturally nurtured. An individual’s characters can be attributed on how a person was brought up. But mostly the behavior of a person is based on the family characters and how someone has been brought up by his or her parents. However, in the “Han Wu-niang and The Story of ying ying,” the characters of personalities is based on how they were brought up and therefore, the critics are right the stories are meant to illustrate personal character flaws not a story associated with tradition. It is because master was so apologetic when he realized his mistake and went ahead to apologize and there is no chronological events explained in the stories to connect the character with traditional norms of the society.
In the article “Han Wu-niang sells her charms at the New Bridge” the behavior of Chin-nun’s family was clear example of character flaw. It is evident the entire family of Chin-nun were aware and understand the kind of life their daughter was having and how she earned her income. The family made a clear plan to make sure that Master Wu and Chin-nun have an affair despite the fact that they knew that Master Wu had a wife and a son (Shuo 318). The family made sure that Master Wu felt in love with their daughter so that they can get share of Master Wu’s wealth. In traditional or normal life, no parents would allow their daughter to have sexual intercourse with a married man inside their matrimonial home. It is therefore, a clear signs of character flaw not traditional life which has eroded the family of Chin-nun (Shuo 316). It is pointed that Chin-nun was a known prostitute and she was the sole provided for her family and therefore, the family did not have any name or manners. However, the story in the “Han Wu-niang is character flaw because prostitution has never been traditional or permanent job and some turn to prostitution willing since it can be avoided as well. But since the family had bad character, do not have manners and did not care, they allow their daughter to practice prostitution right under their nose. It is noted that anytime mater Wu comes for a visit the fat woman would excuse herself just to allow her daughter to have an affair in the exchange of financial support.
According to the article, it seems the family of Chin-nun allowed Master Wu to have sexual affair between chin-nun and Master Wu to continue because of financial gains they were getting from Master Wu. It was the family method of surviving and therefore, the family had no problem with the kind of prostitution taking place right inside the family house. However, this can only be allowed by a family without any manners and bad character since, it is allow your daughter to opening sells her body to the highest bidder put the family name in bad light and no family would want to associate with it unless the entire family have accepted prostitution as their way of surviving. Therefore, the story is about the character flaw of the family of Chin-nun. In the article “The story of ying – ying is also testimony of character flaw. In a traditional society marriage was holy and preserved for mature couples which is supposed to take place willing. It is noted that Ying –ying or the ninth was married away by against her will to old man called Dragon (Ying 234). It is unbelievable that her father could do that knowing her daughter is fifteen years. And therefore, the act symbolize a character flaw since it is not traditional for girls to be married at fifteen and marriage also is supposed to be take place willing without anyone feeling oppress.
Though Ying ying or Ninth was wronged by her father and she had all the right to be made. The idea of organizing a separate army to fight against her father seems to be against all odds of traditional and normal lifestyle. It can only be possible where there is fault in the character of family or parents like what is noted in the family of Ying – ying (Ying 316). It is therefore, possible that the story “The story of Ying-ying” is personal character flaws of some people in the society. Based on the article, the relationship between Ying ying and her parents was not cordial as many people would expect. Ying felt that her parents were dictatorial and subjected her certain principles and rules which she does not agree with. Though she came from a dynasty family, she felt it was time to send her father way and take over the leadership and it is the reason she looked for a partnership with Chuo. Ying-ying believed that the state of Mi requires a steady, strong and honorable leader to redeem the state of the nation and therefore, she cannot be trusted with such responsibility. She believed her father was absentminded and therefore, cannot be allowed to lead their great land. This is based on the fact that he married her away to Dragon despite knowing the character of Dragon.
However, the use of charm to make someone fall in love so that he or she can confuse so that one can benefit is a sign of being unkind and it can also be a sign of character flaws. It is stated in the article that Chin-nun collaborated with her father to use charm so she get Master Wu (Shuo 319). Chin-nun several times put Charm inside Master Wu’s tea to confuse him (Shuo 317). In Master Wu dream he came close to reality which made him confess and stop the relationship. The fact that the family was using charm to lure him so that they can get finances and allow relationship to continue means the family were had no manner and therefore, it clear sign of error in character which need to be addressed. Similar to “the story of Ying-Ying the behavior of soldiers with ladies they meet in the restaurant and on the street show there is something wrong. On the same note, Ying-ying complaints that the ancestor would feel embarrass if they find out what he father has done and therefore, it might be logical enough to stage a coup against her father and therefore, according to her it was needed. But in real sense it shows the division in the family.
In conclusion, the “story of Ying-ying and Hon Wu-niang” show a story of person character flaw not tradition. It reflects detailed family division and dirty traits as well since in both articles in the family of Chin-nun and Ying-ying the bad relationship in the family is clearly demonstrated and also the misuse of a family member to extort many from men. Though the relationship between Chin-nun and her mother was cordial but it seems her mother was using her to get money and therefore, it is a sign of character flaw in the family. On the same point, there was a bad blood between Ying-ying and her father and that is the reason she wanted to overthrow her father from the Kingship and even partner with her father’s rival so he can be removed through military intervention. It makes the two stories a personal character flaw.
Works Cited
Shuo, Kun-Chin hsiap. “Hon Wu-niang Selling her charm at the Bridge Market.” Traditional Chinese Story (2000): 312-322.
Ying, Ling. “The Story of Ling-Ying.” The Classic Tale (2002): 213-242.
