Wandering through the Garden of Youth

Wandering in the Garden, Waking From the Dream

What was Fragrant Cassia in the old days and what is she now and what is the difference?

In the old days Fragrant Cassia was \"still a concubine\" (p. 334) and now she was the official \"Madame Tou\". The difference is that she is now the head of the house -- no longer a secondary wife, but the main wife of General Tou. She has risen position and become a very admirable and respectable lady.

What does the title of the story refer to and why is it significant?

The title of the story refers to an opera in which Madame Ch\'ien sang as a younger woman. It is significant because this story is about aging and the charms the women must use -- dresses, hair, voice -- to attain security in life; and this opera is the one that her husband Ch\'ien P\'eng-chic had heard her sing in when in Nanking -- and it caused him to think of her \"day and night\" until he finally returned and married her. It was because of this song that Ch\'ien had decided to take Madame Ch\'ien (Fifth Sister) as his \"companion in old age\" (p. 352).

3. Why is it ironic that Madame Ch\'ien refuses to sing \"Waking from the Dream?\"

a. It is ironic because that is exactly what she is doing in refusing to sing the song. She realizes that she has aged, and attempts to mask this reality in her dress and in her hair -- but the fact is her voice is gone, as she admits: she lacks the one charm that won her a husband in the first place -- and it makes her feel very insecure. Also, the fact that as she sits listening to the other singers, she reflects on the death of her own husband and this memory seems to trouble her deeply, reminding her of the fate that awaits her as well. She is no longer wandering in the garden of youth, so to speak -- but rather waking from the dream of youth to the reality of older age.

4. Is Madame Ch\'ien\'s insecurity the reason she is always comparing herself to the other Sisters?

a. Yes. Madame Ch\'ien marvels at Madame Tou because Madame Ch\'ien is evidently alone: she comes to the party not with her husband in his car but in a taxi -- because she is not like Madame Tou who has become the official wife of General Tou. Madame Ch\'ien\'s husband was old and has died -- and this information is conveyed by way of flashback while Madame Ch\'ien is listening to the singers. It is a very sad and somewhat humiliating position for Madame Ch\'ien to be in and one that she is especially conscious of. She is not rich like Madame Tou apparently and the security she thought she had for herself is now evidently gone.