Chinese Culture
The Chinese Lake Murders were written by author, Robert Van Gulik and can be used to learn about pre-modern Chinese civilization. The book was set during the Ming Dynasty in the town of Han-yuan, which is about 60 miles north west of the imperial capital. The novel tells the tale of how Judge Dee, the magistrate (an official responsible for catching criminals as well as sentencing them) of Han-yuan solves crime cases while indulging himself in beautiful women, greed and political matters. Van Gulik uses this book and many of his others to describe the culture that of Imperial China. Imperial/Confucian culture lasted in China for about 2,100 years (from 200 BCE to 1900 CE and it) and it still keeps the image oh Chinese society strong. To many we are unable to know what Imperial/Confucian culture was like. In reading Robert Van Guli
In conclusion, in reading The Chinese Lake Murders I have learned a lot about pre-modern Chinese civilization and culture. Van Gulik's story and other stories are not biographical, although many of the crimes he describes appeared in various Chinese texts. Robert Van Gulik the author of The Chinese Lake Murders was in fact an historian and an expert on Chinese culture. Kevin Reilly, the West and the World: History of civilization (Princeton: Markus Weiner Publishers, 1989). Robert Van Gulik, The Chinese Lake Murders (The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1977). Another aspect that I got from the book is that Robert Van Gulik tries to portray Judge Dee as a superhero. Even though it can be seen as a reinforcement of the feudal structure since, it is only because the judge represents the central power, the Emperor. In many ways the world of
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 580
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)
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