Two Centuries of Manchu Women Poets

Wilt L. Idema is professor emeritus of Chinese literature at Harvard University. He is the translator of Heroines of Jiangyong: Chinese Narrative Ballads in Women’s Script and Meng Jiangnu Brings Down the Great Wall: Ten Versions of a Chinese Legend, and coauthor of The Red Brush: Writing Women of Imperial China.

Introduction

1. The Women of the Nalan Family: Miss Nalan, Sibo, and Madam Zhaojia

2. A Prisoner’s Mother and Wife: The Mistress of the Study for Nurturing Simplicity and the Mistress of the Orchid Pavilion

3. Chastity and Suicide: Xiguang

4. Mourning Royalty: Lady Zhoujia, Lady Tongjia, and Lady Fucha

5. Sacrifice and Friendship: Bingyue

6. A Tomboy in a Silly Dress: Mengyue

7. Unbridled Energy: Yingchuan

8. Releasing Butterflies: Wanyan Jinchi

9. Seeking Refuge in Truth: Guizhen Daoren

10. Traveling throughout the Empire: Baibao Youlan

11. A Proud Descendant of Chinggis Khan: Naxun Lanbao

12. From Hengyang to Beijing: Lingwen Zhuyou

13. The Modest Pursuit of a Minor Way: Duomin Huiru

14. A Poet from the Homeland: Lady Husihali

Abbreviations

Notes

Glossary of Chinese Characters

Bibliography

Index