The Death of Woman Wang by Jonathan D. Spence provides the reader with a comprehensive idea of existence in a small province in Northern China, in the 1670s. The author developed this book as a historical restoration of Tan-cheng County, in Shantung Province. This is an area within the tributaries of the Yellow River, but not far away from the sea. According to the introduction, the author was provoked to investigate Tan-cheng County after learning about the tale of woman Wang. By taking us through the Tan-cheng County, the author paints a picture of a region that is ever threatened by an endless period of floods, crop failures, heavy taxation and banditry. Yet against this chaotic milieu a determined tax collector, a petulant farmer, and dejected wife performs out an emotional tragedy whose height the wife, having deserted her husband, returns to him, but dies on his hands. As the Chinese religion flourished and defined their cultures.
This scenario superbly evokes the ancient china, while The Death of Woman Wang by Jonathan D. Spence critically roots our understanding of the modern China deeply. Journal of three voyages by Charles Gutzlaff presents a different but profound perception of china. Intricately he has explored the concept of religion in regard to the Chinese civilization. In his opinion he notes that, Chinese people have peculiar tributes towards religion (Gutzlaff 5). Painting the Chinese people as pantheists, Gutzlaff attempts to argue on the ground that,
Christianity is the only religion that can only create an environment of sanctity among these people.
Though, it seems they dwelt on the concept of materialism, it is paramount to understand that, for generations, the only known religion revolved around the worship of nature. This is evidenced by the fact that, all political leaders also were in practice of worshipping heaven and earth (Gutzlaff 326). Comparing this phenomenon with what Jonathan D. Spence observed in regard to China, it is paramount to state that, from ancient times Chinese had developed their mode of civilization. This is intricately reflected in the book The Death of Woman Wang where Spence presents a new approach to religion in that transparency and trust are cherished in the society. Consider the scenario where Huang a magistrate in Tan-cheng County is a Chinese imperial official, who had passed his Confucian examinations (Spence 9).
He realized that Tan-cheng was a deprived region, and the inhabitants were devastated. Honestly, he advocated for the tax loads of community to be cut, especially in areas where the people were in the real danger of starvation. This picture introduces the fact that, Tan-cheng County was a civilized region and this indicates that, it had established religious standards, where social ethics were respected. Reflecting the manner by which Spence creates the common approach to social integration in this region, it quite important to note that, the people had strong ties to religion. This can be linked to the fact that, they people Tan-cheng in time of crisis worshipped the City God. Hence, they believed as Spence (49) noted The City God is Majestic on High.
Despite such observation, Gutzlaff established that Chinese had a profound opinion in regard to religion, unlike Spence who presents a religious society entwined in gambling, poverty and banditry. Gutzlaf, observations indicates that idolatry gained ascendancy at a very early stage (322). This provides crucial understanding of Chinese religion in that, it gives a clear picture of the key characteristics that defined religion. Thus, it is instrumental to say that, idolatry which was commonly complimented by sacrifices defined Chinese concepts of religion.
Nevertheless, Spence attempts to present more civilized China, with a moderated religious tenets where family ties tend to be the pillars of religion in regard to cultural dictums. Therefore, exploring the diverse religious observation presented by the two authors, it is evident that, Chinese exercised more than one form of religion. Perhaps, this can be attributed to the fact that, like any other human beings, they had an innate desire to understand their destiny. Hence, Spence talks of ghosts, while Gutzlaf speaks of Shang-te. Therefore, it is not strange that, The Death of Woman Wang depicts a picture of Confucian in 17th century china. And this creates a scenario where, the Chinese people embraced certain social standards which had their roots in religion. This included transparency as well as respecting their gods in all situations. Thus, it can be argued that, Spence constructs a clear picture of a people and their religion which was characterized by concepts of Confucianism.
Typically, Spence builds argument around relationships, and this principally reflects one of he many ideas presented in the book. For instance, the husband was viewed as the head of the family and he was justified to punish the wife (Spence 121). Hence, he presents the notion of filial piety, which is measured among the utmost of virtues and must be shown to both the living and the dead. Looking at such perceptions, it is obvious that, the Chinese had developed a systematic approach to religion, due to Confucianism among other religions.
However, comparing what Gutzlaff presents, it is apparent he views ancient Chinese religion as paganism and this differs significantly with the religious characteristics presented in The Death of Woman Wang. Thus, the practices adopted in the 17th century by Chinese greatly contradict what Gutzlaff recorded in his journals. Though, he can be said to be condemning Chinese religion which he indicates is greatly rooted in the idolatry. However, examining the story of Woman Wang, it is instrumental to note that, despite various challenges surrounding the inhabitants of Tan-cheng County, as Spence learned As Huang Liu-hung found when he came to Tan-cheng to serve as magistrate in 1670, the peoples problem was one of basic survival- physical and moral- in a world that seemed to be disintegrating before their eyes (Spence 9). Thus religion offered the greatest solace.
The two authors are traversing two dissimilar paths this can be linked to the fact that, while Spence is introducing a new perception of religion in China, Gutzlaff presents another dimension depicting Chinese as a lost people who needs Christianity to be liberated from the chains of idolatry. All in all, it can be said that, Spence offers a very open and ethical sense of religion, in that, he has managed to establish that, honesty, transparency as well as respect plays a central role in defining Chinese religion. This observation is intricately imprinted in the common lives of the ordinary Chinese folks. Though, Spence have dwelled more on the ordinary Chinese folks who includes the peasants, their wives as well as the non educated individuals, it is important to realize that, he has presented the approach towards religion strongly. Thus, it can be said that, Chinese civilization was more influenced by religion. Think of Buddhism think of Christianity, what of Confucianism, all these religions in one way or the other defined the Chinese approach to life. Though, the writers differs greatly on some facts, but it is important to accept that, what Gutzlaff stood for and appreciate as the concepts of Chinese religion, greatly differed with what Spence recognized as the predominant characteristics of Chinese religion. Therefore, in regard to what the two authors have presented, it is instrumental to understand that, religion tenets changes with time, and that is why what Gutzlaff observed in one way or the other differed with Spences observations
This scenario superbly evokes the ancient china, while The Death of Woman Wang by Jonathan D. Spence critically roots our understanding of the modern China deeply. Journal of three voyages by Charles Gutzlaff presents a different but profound perception of china. Intricately he has explored the concept of religion in regard to the Chinese civilization. In his opinion he notes that, Chinese people have peculiar tributes towards religion (Gutzlaff 5). Painting the Chinese people as pantheists, Gutzlaff attempts to argue on the ground that,
Christianity is the only religion that can only create an environment of sanctity among these people.
Though, it seems they dwelt on the concept of materialism, it is paramount to understand that, for generations, the only known religion revolved around the worship of nature. This is evidenced by the fact that, all political leaders also were in practice of worshipping heaven and earth (Gutzlaff 326). Comparing this phenomenon with what Jonathan D. Spence observed in regard to China, it is paramount to state that, from ancient times Chinese had developed their mode of civilization. This is intricately reflected in the book The Death of Woman Wang where Spence presents a new approach to religion in that transparency and trust are cherished in the society. Consider the scenario where Huang a magistrate in Tan-cheng County is a Chinese imperial official, who had passed his Confucian examinations (Spence 9).
He realized that Tan-cheng was a deprived region, and the inhabitants were devastated. Honestly, he advocated for the tax loads of community to be cut, especially in areas where the people were in the real danger of starvation. This picture introduces the fact that, Tan-cheng County was a civilized region and this indicates that, it had established religious standards, where social ethics were respected. Reflecting the manner by which Spence creates the common approach to social integration in this region, it quite important to note that, the people had strong ties to religion. This can be linked to the fact that, they people Tan-cheng in time of crisis worshipped the City God. Hence, they believed as Spence (49) noted The City God is Majestic on High.
Despite such observation, Gutzlaff established that Chinese had a profound opinion in regard to religion, unlike Spence who presents a religious society entwined in gambling, poverty and banditry. Gutzlaf, observations indicates that idolatry gained ascendancy at a very early stage (322). This provides crucial understanding of Chinese religion in that, it gives a clear picture of the key characteristics that defined religion. Thus, it is instrumental to say that, idolatry which was commonly complimented by sacrifices defined Chinese concepts of religion.
Nevertheless, Spence attempts to present more civilized China, with a moderated religious tenets where family ties tend to be the pillars of religion in regard to cultural dictums. Therefore, exploring the diverse religious observation presented by the two authors, it is evident that, Chinese exercised more than one form of religion. Perhaps, this can be attributed to the fact that, like any other human beings, they had an innate desire to understand their destiny. Hence, Spence talks of ghosts, while Gutzlaf speaks of Shang-te. Therefore, it is not strange that, The Death of Woman Wang depicts a picture of Confucian in 17th century china. And this creates a scenario where, the Chinese people embraced certain social standards which had their roots in religion. This included transparency as well as respecting their gods in all situations. Thus, it can be argued that, Spence constructs a clear picture of a people and their religion which was characterized by concepts of Confucianism.
Typically, Spence builds argument around relationships, and this principally reflects one of he many ideas presented in the book. For instance, the husband was viewed as the head of the family and he was justified to punish the wife (Spence 121). Hence, he presents the notion of filial piety, which is measured among the utmost of virtues and must be shown to both the living and the dead. Looking at such perceptions, it is obvious that, the Chinese had developed a systematic approach to religion, due to Confucianism among other religions.
However, comparing what Gutzlaff presents, it is apparent he views ancient Chinese religion as paganism and this differs significantly with the religious characteristics presented in The Death of Woman Wang. Thus, the practices adopted in the 17th century by Chinese greatly contradict what Gutzlaff recorded in his journals. Though, he can be said to be condemning Chinese religion which he indicates is greatly rooted in the idolatry. However, examining the story of Woman Wang, it is instrumental to note that, despite various challenges surrounding the inhabitants of Tan-cheng County, as Spence learned As Huang Liu-hung found when he came to Tan-cheng to serve as magistrate in 1670, the peoples problem was one of basic survival- physical and moral- in a world that seemed to be disintegrating before their eyes (Spence 9). Thus religion offered the greatest solace.
The two authors are traversing two dissimilar paths this can be linked to the fact that, while Spence is introducing a new perception of religion in China, Gutzlaff presents another dimension depicting Chinese as a lost people who needs Christianity to be liberated from the chains of idolatry. All in all, it can be said that, Spence offers a very open and ethical sense of religion, in that, he has managed to establish that, honesty, transparency as well as respect plays a central role in defining Chinese religion. This observation is intricately imprinted in the common lives of the ordinary Chinese folks. Though, Spence have dwelled more on the ordinary Chinese folks who includes the peasants, their wives as well as the non educated individuals, it is important to realize that, he has presented the approach towards religion strongly. Thus, it can be said that, Chinese civilization was more influenced by religion. Think of Buddhism think of Christianity, what of Confucianism, all these religions in one way or the other defined the Chinese approach to life. Though, the writers differs greatly on some facts, but it is important to accept that, what Gutzlaff stood for and appreciate as the concepts of Chinese religion, greatly differed with what Spence recognized as the predominant characteristics of Chinese religion. Therefore, in regard to what the two authors have presented, it is instrumental to understand that, religion tenets changes with time, and that is why what Gutzlaff observed in one way or the other differed with Spences observations
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