Lavish Living

During a lifetime, in any culture, there becomes a time to make a choice. Whether it's based on what is expected or what is loved. In a story by Feng Menglong called Du Tenth Sinks The Jewel Box In Anger, a match made in heaven, as they say, turns to despair from a decision of greed and acceptance. In a chinese dynasty dating back to the beginning of civilization during the falls and rises of governments, philosophies, and religion. A way of living was to stick to your duties and morals, becoming a scholar, and obeying your surperiors. Li Jia was enrolled as an academy scholar, as did all the higher class family childrens did at a young age, because it brought more immense officials for government for more power and success. Money brings power and education for the better of one's merit especially in a time of major world movement. While he was enrolled he went against all expectations and morals of his society. He meet a courtesan named Du Tenth that viewed passion for a commitment to love was a power more than all world's desires.  Because of his up bringing Li Jia loved to spend money and as much as he could, while he thought it bettered himself because society had mainly engraved the thought in his mind. Still their love for each other grew more immense above all obstacles and desires to find a life of their own, but money was still needed. Tenth knew of Li's attraction to money and was willing to know his true devotion of love to her. Li's thoughts were nothing but of joy when she had given expenses for their journey, "If I had not encountered you, my dear benefactress, I, Li Jia, would have been left without even a place to be buried" (Menglong 508). Menglong demonstrates how the lust for money for a greater power in society can be far more surperior than the nature of life to become one with yourself and what is truly important. How you are looked through other's eyes is more intriguing than how you see life inside yourself. Tenth saw it as what she has to offer to someone, instead of what someone has to offer her. After hearing Li's decision she says, "The fortune of the housand taels will enable you to restore your position in your family, and I will go to another man so as not to be a burden to you" (Menglong 514). Li gave up the fortune of love to use money in order to restore the way his family and society view him. Tenth gave her life because every passion and love she had inside her was traded in for societies wants; like a treasure is more than the treasure of life.

Moliere creates many talked about discussions, from society, by using the characters in his play. The character Orgon embodies the enlightment idea that by using his control given to him by society, so he can use his duties for his enrichments. Orgon, a father, son, husband, and successor gives him the power, from the expectations of society, to fulfill his rightousness and reason in life to marry his daughter to blind trust from Tartuffe. Orgon states, while persuading his daughter, "The more of heaven's treasure you will earn, And the heaven will bless you in return. Through this marriage, you'll mortify your senses"(Moliere 181). Orgon acts irrational because he doesn't listen to what anyone is telling him, when the encourage Tartuffe is playing him or what his daughter's mind and heart is wanting to do. "You judge a man as good without real proof. Appearances can lie-witness: Tartuffe," Cleante states, while trying to reason with Orgon (Moliere 189). When passion and understanding within the household turns to chao,s because by Orgon trying to uphold on what he thinks as morally right. But really, he is going against his love and what is truly right because society has him looking from the inside looking out. Orgon struggles to sustain order and doesn't see that everyone one has a voice as well as a role in their life.