The Story of the Scholars

Author: Wu Jingzi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: The Story of the Scholars is Wu Jingzi's masterpiece. The author intentionally set the stories in the Ming Dynasty, while in reality, they depict the widespread social life of the Qing Dynasty, reflecting the misfortunes of scholars of his time under the corrupt imperial examination system. As revealed by his close friend Cheng Jifang in Poems on Deceased Friends: "The annals record the scholars, how skillfully they are portrayed; I pity these people, yet they are immortalized in folk tales!" The Story of the Scholars begins with two old scholars who have endured hardships—Zhou Jin, who bangs his head against the examination hall board, and Fan Jin, who goes mad after passing the exams. The scenes are hilarious at first glance but hide a tragic essence. As a scholar himself, the author keenly observes the intricacies, exposing their ugliness with profound depth. The characters are vividly portrayed, possessing a powerful artistic force that moves the readers deeply.