Engaged to a Nun

Question

by Translated by Herbert A. Giles

They invited her in, and there she saw a young girl of about eighteen sitting in the parlour, and as great a beauty as she had ever set eyes on. Now, as she was always thinking of making a good match for her son, and curing him of his settled melancholy, she asked who the young lady might be; and they told her that her name was Wang,—that she was a connection of their own, and that her father and mother being dead, she was staying temporarily with them. Chên’s mother inquired the name of Miss Wang’s betrothed, but they said she was not engaged; and then taking her hand, she entered into conversation, and was very much charmed with her. Passing the night there, Chên’s mother took her cousin into her confidence, and the latter agreed that it would be a capital match; “but,” added she, “this young lady is somewhat ambitious, or she would hardly have remained single so long. We must think about it.” Meanwhile, Chên’s mother and Miss Wang got on so extremely well together that they were already on the terms of mother and daughter; and Miss Wang was invited to accompany her home.

Answer 1

The passage from "Engaged to a Nun" introduces a pivotal moment in the narrative, centered around a character named Chên's mother who is on a quest to secure a suitable match for her son. In her interactions with Miss Wang, a young and beautiful girl living with a family connection, there's an immediate bond formed between them, suggesting a potential familial or romantic union.

Chên's mother is depicted as a proactive figure, recognizing her son’s melancholy and seeking a remedy through marriage. Her inquiry into Miss Wang's engagement status reveals the societal pressures and expectations regarding women and marriage, highlighting Miss Wang's single status as a point of curiosity and potential concern. The mention of Miss Wang's ambition hints at deeper themes of desire and agency, suggesting that her decision to remain unengaged may be influenced by personal aspirations rather than a simple lack of offers.

The dynamics of their relationship also reflect traditional values, where familial connections and social suitability play crucial roles in matchmaking. Chên's mother's rapid acceptance of Miss Wang as almost a daughter-in-law illustrates how quickly these social bonds can form, shaping the trajectory of the narrative. The interplay of ambition, familial duty, and societal norms sets the stage for further developments in Chên’s story and his interactions with Miss Wang.

As the reader delves further into the text, they may expect to see how these themes of ambition and social expectation unfold, particularly in relation to Chên's character and the implications of a match with someone as seemingly desirable yet complex as Miss Wang.