The Wisdom of Confucius (More or Less)
It may not actually be from the writings of the great Chinese master, but that hardly matters. Confucian wisdom has long since taken on a life of its own within any genre featuring Chinese characters. At least, that is certainly the case with readers in the western world. The book does not let down expectations:
“We in this world are like floating clouds passing before the eye. Today we are here, and tomorrow we may be dead.”
Action Metaphor!
Metaphorical imagery—especially that using the comparison of the simile—can be quite effective in conveying what is happening during an action scene. Actions can be difficult to realistically represent on the written page unless that writing creates a vivid scene in the mind. Such is the case of the capture of Shao:
“Suddenly, however, shouts went up on all sides. Peaks and halberds glittered among the trees. The militia had been lying in ambush there and fell over Shao like a swarm of bees.”
A Calamity
Several times throughout the text there can be found specific references to a “calamity.” It is referred to as terrible at one point, is mentioned the subtitle of the chapter heading at another, and forms the basis for a metaphor delivered by the Judge himself:
“You represent the families of the bride and bridegroom. Both your houses are `permeated by the fragrance of books,’ and that this terrible thing happened to people of your standing is a great calamity.”
A State of Mind
Metaphor is also a powerful tool for communicating a perceptual slipknot in the consciousness of a character that can be easily enough pulled free to bring the person back to reality. The experience of a sudden shock to the system caused by any of the myriad circumstances involved in legal proceedings is thus exemplified:
“Doctor Tang was completely dumbfounded by these unexpected developments and let himself be taken away as if walking in a dream.”
Interlude
Midway through the standard prose appears a chapter titled “Interlude” which takes on the form of playlet written with stage directions, characters and dialogue. It is only two pages long by the end the dialogue has been almost completely subsumed into pure metaphorical observations:
“A flowering sprig, well tended, will not last."
“Yes, how sad it is that nothing is so brief as a day-dream late in the spring.”
