primary source analysis Flashcards
Author + time period and why does it matter + where did it take place? Memorial to Emperor Wanli
- Luo Yuren
1590 (18th year of Wanli reign)
Ming China, primarily in the imperial court context.
Author + time period and why does it matter + where did it take place?Three Letters Upon the subject of the Gin Act
Citizens of London, and A. B., Esq
1738
London, England
Author + time period and why does it matter + where did it take place? “Twenty Poems After Drinking Wine”
T’ao Ch’ien
estimated to have been composed between 415 and 417 AD during his retirement in the Eastern Jin dynasty period
Linked to Tao Chi’en’s farm near Xunyang, where he lived in seclusion.
How and why is this a valuable source to study modern Chinese history? Memorial to Emperor Wanli
Historical Insight: Highlights tensions between moral expectations and imperial authority during the late Ming period.
Philosophical Importance: Reflects Confucian ideals about leadership, moral discipline, and the emperor’s duty to serve the people.
Socio-Political Dynamics: Demonstrates how societal values influenced critiques of power and governance in premodern China.
How and why is this a valuable source to study modern Chinese history? Three Letters Upon the subject of the Gin Act
The text critiques the effectiveness of the Gin Act and highlights the broader social harm caused by gin consumption.
Also addresses the negative role of common informers, suggesting that the act may have exacerbated problems rather than solving them. - The tone suggests concern for both public welfare and governmental approaches to social reform.
It reflects early efforts to address substance abuse through legislation and its social consequences.
How and why is this a valuable source to study modern Chinese history? “Twenty Poems After Drinking Wine”
Uses wine as a metaphor to explore life’s joys and challenges.
Emphasizes simplicity, solitude, and detachment from societal pressures.
Advocates for contentment in nature over the pursuit of fame or recognition.
Reflects Daoist themes of harmony with nature and acceptance of life’s flow.
They juxtapose themes of Confucian moral philosophy, Daoist detachment, and the human condition.
The analysis enriches modern interpretations of classical Chinese poetry and their embedded socio-political commentary.
“Twenty Poems After Drinking Wine” main topic
Reflection on life, nature, and human mortality
Drinking as a metaphor for life’s complexity
Withdrawal from society and critique of fame
Solitude and contentment in nature
Philosophical musings on the futility of worldly pursuits
Three Letters Upon the subject of the Gin Act main topic
Criticism and analysis of the 1736 Gin Act, which aimed to curb excessive gin consumption.
Discussion on the widespread social issues caused by gin, including crime, poverty, and public health concerns.
Addresses the societal and legislative implications of the Gin Act, focusing on public health, morality, and governance.
Critiques the widespread consumption of gin and the role of informers in enforcing the act, shedding light on 18th-century English society’s struggles with vice and regulation.
Memorial to Emperor Wanli main topic
It critiques the emperor’s indulgence in four vices: alcohol, lust, wealth, and temper, accusing him of neglecting governance and prioritizing personal pleasures.
Despite its critical tone, the memorial aimed to admonish the emperor toward reform, reflecting Confucian values of moral governance.
