ABSTRACT

This play, first published in 1935, is a classic love story first written in the thirteenth century, and came to be seen in China as the play. It was banned by the authorities, yet ran into thousands of editions and no classical scholar would fail to recite these very passages because of the beauty of the language. It contains much useful information about life in China at the time, as well as the relationship between cultural traditions.

part I|46 pages

The Titles of the Four Acts of the first Part

chapter Act I|13 pages

Beauty's Enchantment

chapter Act II|15 pages

The Renting of the Quarters in the Monastery

chapter Act III|10 pages

A Poem and Its Response

chapter Act IV|6 pages

The Interruption of the Religious Service

part II|62 pages

The Titles of the Four Acts of the Second Part

chapter Act I|24 pages

The Alarm at the Monastery

chapter Act II|8 pages

The Invitation to the Feast

chapter Act III|16 pages

The Breach of Promise

chapter Act IV|12 pages

Love and the Lute

part III|54 pages

The Titles of the Four Acts of the Third Part

chapter Act I|10 pages

First Expectations

chapter Act II|20 pages

The Fuss About the Billet-Doux

chapter Act III|12 pages

Repudiation of the Billet-Doux

chapter Act IV|10 pages

Further Expectations

part IV|54 pages

The Titles of the Four Acts of the Fourth Part

chapter Act I|13 pages

Fulfilment of the Billet-Doux

chapter Act II|12 pages

Hung Niang in the Dock

chapter Act III|14 pages

A Feast With Tears

chapter Act IV|13 pages

A Surprising Dream

part Continuation|54 pages

The Titles of the Four Acts of the Continuation of ‘The Western Chamber’

chapter Act I|13 pages

Report of Success at the Examination

chapter Act II|9 pages

Guessing the Meaning of Her Gifts

chapter Act III|11 pages

The Contest for the Beauty

chapter Act IV|19 pages

The Glorious Home-Coming