Alice Poon
asked
Alice Poon:
On April 30, 2020 I was interviewed by Matteo Damiani, founder of the China Underground media website (a news and culture website related to China's past and present). One of his questions was: "Why did you choose this particular historical period?"
Alice Poon
The period in question is one that straddles two ruling regimes: the Ming and the Qing dynasties. I have a particular interest in this turbulent period because growing up I had come across intriguing and poignant human stories of love, sacrifice, divided loyalties and patriarchal cruelty from the period through books, operas, movies and TV dramas. As a grown-up, I’ve found these stories highly relatable, as they seem to reflect in some way our present-day human condition.
Also, this period in Ming history saw the culmination of literary (in particular poetry) and music development. In particular, it witnessed a dynamic interaction between cultured courtesans and the literati, both in the romantic and literary sense.
In short, in Tales of Ming Courtesans I wanted to highlight three courtesans’ love stories and their gritty struggle against a misogynistic society, as well as capture the era’s unique and vibrant artistic tapestry.
[For other interview questions and my answers, please go to this link:
https://china-underground.com/2020/04...]
Also, this period in Ming history saw the culmination of literary (in particular poetry) and music development. In particular, it witnessed a dynamic interaction between cultured courtesans and the literati, both in the romantic and literary sense.
In short, in Tales of Ming Courtesans I wanted to highlight three courtesans’ love stories and their gritty struggle against a misogynistic society, as well as capture the era’s unique and vibrant artistic tapestry.
[For other interview questions and my answers, please go to this link:
https://china-underground.com/2020/04...]
More Answered Questions
H (no longer expecting notifications) Balikov
asked
Alice Poon:
Young Bumbutai is chosen for her role due to her natural beauty and accomplishments: she’s healthy, athletic, highly intelligent and knowledgeable. She studies the languages, history, literature and philosophy of the three major cultures. Was it typical for concubines to be encouraged to be both "athletic and knowledgeable?" Was there a school for concubines or how were they chosen (from nobility, perhaps)?
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