A Detailed Analysis of the Story of Yingying: Characters and Themes

This report offers an analysis of the Story of Yingying, examining the characters of Zhang and Cui Yingying, and the author's perspective. It explores the complexities of their relationship, including Yingying's fluctuating behavior and Zhang's attempts to understand her. The analysis delves into the themes of love, ego, and societal expectations, providing a nuanced understanding of the characters' motivations and decisions. The report also considers the author's viewpoint on the relationship's eventual breakdown, and provides a critical perspective on the choices made by both Zhang and Yingying. The report concludes with a justification of Zhang’s decision to end the relationship, highlighting the challenges of their dynamic and the lack of reciprocation from Yingying's side.

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Story of Cui Yingying

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Answers to the Questions
Question 1
Yingying was a young lady of pride and elegance. Deep inside she was fond of Zhang but never
let it out in any specific expression. She followed strict decorum, that is in a Confucian way
when Zhang was away at the capital and was compelling to be grounded. She refused to reproach
him as well as abstained from staying close to him. Despite several requests and heart breaking,
she did not confide to it.
Yingying behaved in a Daoist way and did not follow the decorum when she responded to Zhang
with utmost spontaneity. To add to this, the eighth night of the second decade when she turned
up before Zhang at night and startled him.
Question 2
Zhang was attracted to Yingying because of her simplicity, spontaneity and her unique
personality. He found her to be the most beautiful lady even she was at her worst appearance
during the time when he first saw her and witnessed her presence. Zhang was also highly fond of
her love towards literature and her compositions. Zhang respected her from the core of his heart.
Despite several requests and chances to be in touch with Yingying, Zhang’s efforts were in vain.
Yingying did not respond to any of it. Later, she sent a letter to Zhang and proposed him to
segregate impliedly. She refused to trust him again. Zhang realized that he was unfit to handle
her transformations. This is because he chose to depart and leave her.
Question 3
The author, Yuan Zhen plays the character of a friend of the hero, Zhang. According to the
author, the harsh decision undertaken by Zhang of departing with Cui Yingying was feasible.
Zhang’s decision of opting to segregated paths was the wisest thing he could have done. This is
because, Zhang had left no stone unturned to convince Cui to keep in touch with him. But she
refused consistently. Though she wanted to witness Zhang’s presence, she held herself behind
and increase the intimacy with her lover. Yingying was directed according to her whims. In the
story, there are times when she clings on to Zhang and yet again there are times witnessed
whereby, Yingying kept herself away. She was driven by a swarthy sense of ego all the time.
This made Zhang baffled and in a state of confusion (Hightower, 2018).

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Question 4
As a reader, the decision of Zhang to break off his relationship with Yingying was appropriate.
His decision was correct.
Compared to Yingying, Zhang draws more sympathy. This is so because he was a man of
manners and possessed a heart of gold. He was not into any physical pleasure with anyone. His
heart loved Yinying like mad. He left no stone unturned to be with her and adjust to her whims.
But there was lack of reciprocation from Yingying’s side. Though she loved Zhang, her ego held
a superior position in her heart. She did not confide to his requests and let him suffer in pain.

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References
Hightower, J. R. (2018). Yüan Chen and ‘The Story of Ying-ying’. Critical Readings on Tang
China, 1326-1359.