THE INJUSTICE DONE TO TOU NGO

Kuan Han- ch’ing

About the author:

Kuan Han-ch’ing – a Chinese notable playwright and poet in the Yuan Dynasty. He has been

described as among the most prolific and highly regarded dramatist of the Yuan period.

The Characters:

 Tou ngo- the main character, daughter of Tou-Tien Chang, daughter in law of Mother

Tsai, the girl who Donkey Chang wants.

 Donkey Chang- the antagonist, wants Tou ngo but kills her, unjust.

 Mother Tsai- Tou Ngo’s mother in law.

 Old Chang- Donkey Chang’s father.

 Dr.Lu- best physician of Chu-Chou(setting of the text).

 Tou-Tien Chang- Tou ngo’s father who becomes an Inspector Geneeral of Haui River

Valley.
Summary of the Story.

Tou-Tien Chang borrowed 20 taels of silver from Mother Tsai. After a few months,

Mother Tsai contacted him and asked for the money, but unfortunately, he still didn’t have

the amount being asked for, sso he gives Tou Ngo to Mother Tsai. His debt is now cleared.

Tou Ngo marries Mother Tsai’s son who dies in the future. Dr. Lu borrows a few taels of

silver from Mother Tsai, doesn’t pay, ends up strangling Mother Tsai. Donkey Chang and

Old Chang comes in, saves her life. Donkey Chang forces Tsai to marry Old Chang and Tou

Ngo to marry him but Tou Ngo refuses.

Donkey Chang attempts to kill Tsai by putting poison (bought from Dr. Lu) into the

soupthat Tou Ngo prepared, accidentally kills Old Chang. Donkey blames Tou Ngo, he tells

her that the only way to solve their problems out of court is to marry him, but she doesn’t so

she goes to court. Her word is disregarded, she is beheaded.

She shows herself to her father, Tou- Tien Chang. He investigates on the case, finds out

that she’s innocent so he decides that Donkey Chang should be beheaded, and Dr. Lu should

be exile for selling poison.

Analysis of the Story:

The Injustice Done to Tou Ngo is one of defining works of Chinese drama and theatre that

has been produced ever since the thirteenth century.

The theme of story shows an eloquent denunciation of injustice, great dramatist concern for

the people and hatred for the oppressive ruling class. Kuan han-ch’ing’s nobility of

characters represent kindness, courage an spirit of self-sacrifice.