Panel Description:

This panel will create a forum for a discussion of the late Ming novel, Jin Ping Mei or The Plum in the Golden Vase, within the broader context of Chinese literature and early modernity. Known for its controversial themes, intricate narratives, and socio-cultural reflections, Jin Ping Mei provides a rich ground for examining the literary landscape and societal shifts in early modern China.

The panel aims to stimulate discussions on the Chinese literature in the early modern period. The panelists will address questions concerning the societal norms, values, and cultural intricacies depicted in Jin Ping Mei, and their relevance in understanding the socio-cultural fabric of early modern China. Each paper within the panel provides a distinct perspective on the novel's themes, throwing light on the complex interplay between societal norms, individual agency, and cultural heritage. Finally, the panel seeks to deepen our understanding of the broader framework of early modernity as articulated by Jin Ping Mei.

To do so, the first paper, “Playing with Losing Control,” by Paize Keulemans, examines the concept of control and its loss in a pivotal scene of Jin Ping Mei. Paize traces the historical origins of the game of "Flesh Pot" and its significance within Confucian culture, exploring how this scene reflects broader themes of physical and moral self-control. Through the lens of cybernetics, Paize analyzes the interaction between games, literature, and cultural values, highlighting the nuanced relationship between traditional and contemporary modes of self-cultivation.

In “From the ‘Man of Forest’ to the ‘Man of Market’”, Leihua Weng explores the transformation of social and moral norms in late Ming China as depicted in Jin Ping Mei. Focusing on the portrayal of marriage and commerce, Leihua investigates how the rise of a merchant class disrupts traditional Confucian values and familial power structures. Through a meticulous analysis of marriage proposals and nuptial arrangements, Leihua illuminates the tensions between commercial culture and Confucian ethics, offering insights into the moral quandaries faced by characters in the novel.

Finally, Zhenxing Zhao's paper, “Harmonies Unravelled,” delves into the aesthetic dimensions of Jin Ping Mei, particularly its engagement with Chinese lyrical tradition. Zhenxing argues that while the novel's formal attributes are deeply rooted in the aesthetics of lyric poetry, they clash with the contingent nature of everyday life depicted in the narrative. This tension between form and content results in a grotesque deformation of traditional aesthetic norms, exposing the incongruity between lyrical aesthetics and the novel's infinite and contingent content. Through an analysis of this tension, Zhenxing demonstrates the complex relationship between the novelists and their cultural heritage in early modern China.

There will be 15 minutes for each presentation and 30 minutes for discussion.