The Jade Owl: - Part 3 The Bird Awakes (All Chapters)

[Edward C. Patterson]

The Shang-hai sequence of The Jade Owl is chock full of action and is the turning point in the novel. Here's a few discussion questions.

Why do you think P'ing Hu is so obsessed with deporting Rowden Gray?

How does Mrs. K'ao contrasts with Mrs. Wu?

What do you take from the Lung-hua scene? What do you think has happened? Can you piece together the important clues which point to the Jade Owl legacy?

How does the Yu-lung Garden scene alter the course of the characters?

What changed goals are set down during the Interview with Ch'en Hui-ni?

Do you detect any changes with Nick in the Shang-hai sequence?

Again, no need to do any more than enjoy the novel, but I am always available to discuss these points and others.

PS: There is a personal homage in the Shang-hai sequence, beside the fact that every place in this part was physically detailed from my personal experience. (BTW, the guides you encounter are all based on real CTS guides). When my mother, rest her soul, entered the Shanghai National Museum we had already been to several displays of fine Chinese porcelains in various locales. When we entered the porcelain displays, the finest of their kind anywhere, my mother turned to me and said: "More Pots!" At which time I asked our guide to perhaps find something more diverse for us - so she diverted us to the People's International Exhibition Center and then to the Shanghai Banzai Gardens. When my mother read that line, she was very flattered, even though I gave the line to the obnoxious Polly Finch. My mother said to me, "well, how many pots can you see before they all look alike." Her sentiments, I hope, shall live forever.

Edward C. Patterson

[Ann in Arlington]

The whole "more pots" resonated with me:  We lived in England for 3 years and did a number of tours of famous castles and cathedrals and what not.  There were always graves and sarcophogi of knights and bishops and assorted chess pieces.    One friend of ours, when we'd travel with them and were about to stop some place would say, for the benefit of the 4 boys with us, "O.K.  who's up for some famous dead white guys?"

[Edward C. Patterson]

  The irony of Mom's More Pots, comment was we were in the Ceramic Place of Ceramic Places, and I just wanted to swim in the Sung Celadons. She bore with it for a bit, but I knew when I had lost the battle. Another thing, like most Chinese museums and tourist places, there was no light. Americans light up museum cases and spot light things. The Chinese do not, so these places are rather stark and "I am what I am," type of thing. When we descended into the Ming Tombs (the Wan-li Emperor, which formed a framework for Wu Tze-t'ien's tomb, combined with my knowledge of Sung burial practices), we could have been descending into the Lexington Avenue Subway station, it was that unimpressive, as dirty and dark. I could almost smell the urine in the corners. 

Ed Patterson

[Edward C. Patterson]

Well, here's some tidbits regarding Week Five's discussion topics:

Why do you think P'ing Hu is so obsessed with deporting Rowden Gray?

Well, P'ing Hu is like many Chinese officials. A person with more than one agenda, an agenda important to future developments.

How does Mrs. K'ao contrasts with Mrs. Wu?

There is a dichotomy between these two characters - one stern and controlling, and the other gentle, but commanding. They represent two facets in Chinese officialdom, aspects that sometimes act in concord and can be most disconcerting. I chose to separate them relating Mrs. Wu to a serpent's spirit and Mrs. K'ao to the goddess of mercy, Guan-yin.

What do you take from the Lung-hua scene? What do you think has happened? Can you piece together the important clues which point to the Jade Owl legacy?

The fact that bird HOOTS when passing the Lung-hua Temple and awakes inside it, is telling. The fact that Nick is greeted with the strange title of Po-huai and The One is no mere whim. The fact that the monks and in particular the man behind the screen reacts to Nick and The Jade Owl's presence is also no accident. These are all clues to the eventualities that are manifested in the second book - as the abbot, Shang Ho-shan states, the time's not quite right yet. They are not five yet. BUT alas no spoilers. 

How does the Yu-yuan Garden scene alter the course of the characters?

Yu-yuan gardens is one of the most famous sights in Shang-hai, and the fact that a DRAGON encircles the place is also suggestive of things to come. The scene symbolizes the Jade Owl's home in the Cave of the Winds, thus it reacts as well as it recalls its former position in the gardens. The characters, who are for the most part skeptical of the birds unearthly powers are now placed at a point where their credulity is tested. Even Simone's little act of bravery shatters any chance of a normal tourist fling through China. The attach of the giant koi prefigures the witch-monk Xue Huai-ya.

What changed goals are set down during the Interview with Ch'en Hui-ni?

Something happens to Nick during this interview, and Rowden no longer is just gather rosebuds for some sinological curiosity. Up until now, the Jade Owl mission was nothing more than as return-the-bird-to-the-tomb sort of thing. After the interview, there is a warrant (a first warant) to fulfill on which the world bend Professor Gray and his little band depends. Of course, the full extent of this world shaking warrant needs to be withheld, or this author wouldn;t have a second book to write (and a third and a fourth and a fifth, and at least one 4 book ancillary series). Some warrant, eh? Wait until you see. 

Do you detect any changes with Nick in the Shang-hai sequence?

Well, did you? Why do you think Nick changes? How far will Ed Patterson and the Jade Owl go to change Nick's character? You haven't seen the quarter of it - just a glimpse in this first book.

Well, read on Faithful reading ch'i-tang. Until my next post . . .

Ed P