Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Contents v
3. Preface to the How to Read Chinese Literature Series vii
4. A Note on How to Use This Book ix
5. Major Chinese Dynasties xv
6. Symbols, Abbreviations, and Typographical Usages xvii
7. Yuan Zaju Plays
8. The Orphan of Zhao, Wedge, Act 1 1
9. The Story of the Western Wing, Book Four, Act 1 20
10. Song-Yuan Nanxi Plays
11. Top Graduate Zhang Xie, Scene 16 (Excerpt) 46
12. The Lute, Scene 20, “Wuniang Eats Husks” 74
13. Ming Zaju Plays
14. The Female Mulan Joins the Army in Place of Her Father, Act 1 (Excerpt) 93
15. Ming-Qing Chuanqi Plays
16. The Peony Pavilion, Scene 7, “The Boudoir Schoolroom” (Excerpt) 111
17. The Peony Pavilion, Scene 10, “The Interrupted Dream” (Excerpt) 138
18. Abbreviations of Primary Texts 161
19. Notes on Dramatic Conventions 163
20. List of Literary Issues Discussed 193
21. Acknowledgments 197
22. Editors 201