The essay “Huizong’s New Clothes: Desire and Allegory in Court Ladies Preparing Newly Woven Silk.” by Lara Blanchard argues that “… Huizong’s scroll stands as a double-edged comment on his fitness as a ruler, one that takes a Tang Dynasty image of elite women’s longing and bends it to the will of the Northern Song Emperor” (129). This article is effective because of its thorough examination of Chinese allegories relating to Court Ladies Preparing Newly Woven Silk. This essay starts off by mentioning that depictions of elite women in Chinese painting often correspond with traditional Chinese erotic poetry. It then goes into the creator of this painting and how it is linked to Huizong. Though it does not bear his seal, it does bear the seals
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For example, Blanchard points out that “Pounding Cloth” from the collection New Songs from a Jade Terrace communicates imagery of women creating silk while a brazier blazes in the background. She then explains how the poem provides insight into to how this scene in the painting could have been interpreted in ancient China (122-123). The way that Blanchard makes reference to and includes the poem suggest that her argument relating to poetry is based on research. Another example of Blanchard’s use of secondary sources discusses the bureau of work. She describes the bureau of work as an organization of women from the palace who made women’s clothing. It has been speculated that the ladies of the painting are imperial concubines, but Blanchard’s source (Priscilla Ching Chung) disproves that theory by mentioning that women who were promoted were no longer technically concubines (117). This is an important differentiation and Blanchard’s secondary source improved her argument. Lara Blanchard’s essay “Huizong’s New Clothes: Desire and Allegory in Court Ladies Preparing Newly Woven Silk” is effective because of its strong thesis, organization, and research. Her thesis is competent because of its fascinating nature and coherency. The organization is strong because of Blanchard’s use of subtopics and her paragraph to paragraph flow. Lastly, her thorough research strengthens her
For example, Blanchard points out that “Pounding Cloth” from the collection New Songs from a Jade Terrace communicates imagery of women creating silk while a brazier blazes in the background. She then explains how the poem provides insight into to how this scene in the painting could have been interpreted in ancient China (122-123). The way that Blanchard makes reference to and includes the poem suggest that her argument relating to poetry is based on research. Another example of Blanchard’s use of secondary sources discusses the bureau of work. She describes the bureau of work as an organization of women from the palace who made women’s clothing. It has been speculated that the ladies of the painting are imperial concubines, but Blanchard’s source (Priscilla Ching Chung) disproves that theory by mentioning that women who were promoted were no longer technically concubines (117). This is an important differentiation and Blanchard’s secondary source improved her argument. Lara Blanchard’s essay “Huizong’s New Clothes: Desire and Allegory in Court Ladies Preparing Newly Woven Silk” is effective because of its strong thesis, organization, and research. Her thesis is competent because of its fascinating nature and coherency. The organization is strong because of Blanchard’s use of subtopics and her paragraph to paragraph flow. Lastly, her thorough research strengthens her