"Chinese Sketches" by Herbert Allen Giles is a compilation of essays offering insights into Chinese culture, society, and history in the late 1800s. Based on the author’s experiences during his time in China, the author seeks to dispel Western biases by presenting detailed observations of life, aiming to provide a balanced perspective on Chinese society and challenge negative stereotypes. The book begins by describing the death of Emperor Tsai-Shun (T'ung Chih), outlining the customs and rituals surrounding his early death, illustrating Chinese mourning behaviors and the importance of emperors to the Chinese people. Following this, it looks at the varying positions of women in Chinese society, highlighting the difficulties faced by working-class women and the false impressions held by foreigners. The author blends storytelling with social observations, paving the way for his wider analysis of Chinese life and culture.
Chinese Sketches
By Herbert Allen Giles
Explore a world of emperors and customs as a writer confronts prejudice to reveal an older society.
Summary
About the AuthorHerbert Allen Giles was a British diplomat and sinologist who was the professor of Chinese at the University of Cambridge for 35 years. Giles was educated at Charterhouse School before becoming a British diplomat in China. He modified a Mandarin Chinese romanization system established by Thomas Wade, resulting in the widely known Wade–Giles Chinese romanization system. Among his many works were translations of the Analects of Confucius, the Lao Tzu , the Chuang Tzu, and, in 1892, the widely published A Chinese–English Dictionary.
Herbert Allen Giles was a British diplomat and sinologist who was the professor of Chinese at the University of Cambridge for 35 years. Giles was educated at Charterhouse School before becoming a British diplomat in China. He modified a Mandarin Chinese romanization system established by Thomas Wade, resulting in the widely known Wade–Giles Chinese romanization system. Among his many works were translations of the Analects of Confucius, the Lao Tzu , the Chuang Tzu, and, in 1892, the widely published A Chinese–English Dictionary.
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