Jasmine Tea by Eileen Chang - Book Report/Review Example

At the first interaction between Danzhu and Chuanqing, his curt and rude behavior towards the girl is puzzling. Most young men would be honored to have the interest of such a popular and well-liked girl but Chuanqing does not want anything to do with Danzhu. After a glimpse at his home life, it becomes clear that love is noticeably absent from Chuanqing's life. He becomes obsessed with the idea he could have been the professor's son and lived a life similar to Danzhu's. The young man is convinced that his life would have been one filled with happiness and kindly father love, in sharp contrast to the resentment and maltreatment of his biological father.

From this point on, his attitude towards the young woman becomes increasingly bitter and filled with resentment. To him, Danzhu's mere existence is a constant and painful reminder that she has the home life he so desperately wants and cannot have. His resentment soon turns to the hatred that is fueled by his jealousy of her existence. This hatred affects not only his schoolwork but also his entire demeanor by making him even more introverted and cantankerous towards his peers and family. His hatred and blind rage towards Danzhu reaches its climax on the night of the dance.

In his confusion, Chuanqing decides that if he cannot have the fatherly love of the professor, perhaps he can still attain the family love by marrying into Danzhu's family. The whirlwind confession leaves Danzhu shocked and speechless and Chuanqing in a violent rage spurred by further rejection. The violence that results is a culmination of years of repressed fury towards his family and the intense desire to be a part of Danzhu's family. Chuanqing's confession to Danzhu demonstrates that even though he is full of resentment and jealousy towards the girl, he still desires love.

Changing is incapable of emotionally detaching from the world around him because of this desire for love. His warped obsession fuels his hatred, jealousy, covetousness, and irritability towards the young woman. "Jasmine Tea" demonstrates the necessity of experiencing love within human life. Chuanqing's home situation was filled with bitter words and abusive experiences. Due to this upbringing, the hero felt he could be emotionally withdrawn from the world and callous to the postures of love. However, he finds himself jealously coveting the loving home environment of a fellow student, which eventually leads to a violent outburst due to his desire to be loved.

His emotional reactions and sullen character demonstrate the young man's confusion about love. Through Chuanqing's physical actions towards and communicative interactions with Danzhu, it is apparent that he ultimately feels emotionally tied to the young woman despite his desire to be emotionally detached from the world around him.