Essay Questions

Why is the author so focused on social denunciation in the book 'The Tale of the Argonauts'?

Harte joins hundreds of other authors who have highlighted social bigotry as a global challenge because it disadvantages minority groups. Even though nowadays, the rate of racism is lower than in the past, it is still an emerging issue that must be addressed. For instance, in the first story, the readers come across a character considered an outcast by the locals because he was not born there. Wan Lee's story also depicts racism because people who come from other backgrounds are considered outcasts. Consequently, the level of hatred intolerance is high across other collections of stories within Harte's book. The author's primary intention is to enlighten readers on the significance of social tolerance.

How does the leader show that love between characters is useless?

Throughout the story, the characters are trying to engage in romance and courtships, but their effort is ineffective. For instance, Jenny and Ridgeway are together as a couple, but they later realize that they are together for convenience but not love. Similarly, a woman is married to Colonel because she does not want many to chase after her. Additionally, the Fool is married to a woman who is not interested in him to the end. Therefore, sexual relationships in the book 'The Tales of Argonauts' are useless because they are not based on love but only for convenience.

Is Wan Lee’s story entirely sardonic?

Wan Lee is portrayed as a naive boy adopted by a widow. The widow has a young daughter who is Lee's age mate, and they get along correctly. Sardonically, the author describes Lee's body shape as porcelain hidden in his stepsister's blouse. Consequently, despite Lee being portrayed as a naïve boy, the reader gets a hint that he is romantically attracted to his sister. As the story ends, the author hints that Lee is involved in the murder of the Christian boy.