Okay, here is an English introduction to the plot of The Injustice of Nu Er (窦娥冤), also known as The Story of Dou E or The Ordeal of Dou E.
Plot Summary of The Injustice of Nu Er (窦娥冤)
The Injustice of Nu Er is a famous Chinese play written by Guo Moruo (关汉卿) during the Yuan Dynasty (13th-14th century). It is considered one of the "Four Great Classical Novels and Dramas of China" and is a prime example of the mouju (元曲) style of Yuan Dynasty drama. The play tells a tragic story of injustice, innocence, and supernatural justice.
The Main Characters:
- Nu Er (窦娥): The protagonist, a young and virtuous wife married to the old scholar Dou E (窦娥的父亲/丈夫, depending on the interpretation of the specific scene, though she is most famously the wife). She is known for her kindness and filial piety.
- Dou E: Nu Er's husband, an aging scholar who cannot support his family well.
- Qin Yu (秦玉春): A local official (magistrate) who is corrupt, greedy, and lustful.
- Chen Shun (蔡顺): A kind-hearted young man who helps Nu Er.
- The Ghost of Nu Er: Appears at the play's end to seek justice.
The Plot:
- Background: Nu Er is married to the old scholar Dou E. Times are hard, and Dou E is too poor to afford a proper wife for her. Nu Er, out of kindness and filial duty, agrees to marry a much older man and remains chaste, serving her husband devotedly.
- The Accusation: While Nu Er is fetching water from a well, she encounters the corrupt local magistrate, Qin Yu. Qin Yu, enticed by her beauty and driven by lust, falsely accuses Nu Er of having seduced him and of stealing money from his house.
- The Unjust Trial: Despite her desperate pleas of innocence and the lack of any real evidence, Qin Yu, blinded by corruption and arrogance, ignores the truth. He sentences Nu Er to death, primarily to silence her and potentially take her for himself.
- Nu Er's Lamentations: Before her execution, Nu Er is given a chance to confess to the crime. She does not want to die without clearing her name, but she knows the truth and refuses to lie. Out of desperation and to save her father (who Qin Yu also threatens), she makes three solemn oaths (promises) to Heaven:
- Her blood will turn the ground white where she is executed.
- A black sky will open up, and rain will pour down so heavily that her blood will soak the ground red.
- She will bequeath her innocence to a child, ensuring that the child will be born and raised virtuously.
- The Execution and Miracles: When Nu Er is executed, her oaths are miraculously fulfilled. The ground turns white, a black sky opens, and a torrential red rain falls. The entire court, including Qin Yu, is shocked by these supernatural signs. Qin Yu, realizing the magnitude of his injustice, attempts to flee but is struck dead by lightning.
- Post-Mortem Justice: After her death, Nu Er becomes a ghost. Her spirit seeks justice and appears to a local official who is investigating her case. She reveals the truth about Qin Yu's corruption and her own innocence. The official then exonerates her name, restores her honor posthumously, and punishes Qin Yu.
- Conclusion: The play ends with Nu Er's name cleared and her spirit finding some measure of peace, highlighting the theme of ultimate justice, even if it comes after immense suffering.
Themes:
- Injustice and Corruption: The play powerfully exposes the cruelty and corruption of the feudal legal system and officials.
- Innocence and Virtue: Nu Er represents purity and goodness, contrasted sharply with the villainy of Qin Yu.
- Supernatural Justice: The oaths and the subsequent miracles serve as a powerful force to right the wrongs committed by human corruption.
- Human Resilience: Despite her tragic fate, Nu Er's defiance and her final act of making oaths demonstrate human strength in the face of overwhelming injustice.
The Injustice of Nu Er is a compelling tragedy that remains deeply influential in Chinese literature and culture, serving as a poignant commentary on the fight for justice and the endurance of the human spirit.
