Du Tenth Sinks the Jewel Box in Anger by Feng Menglong is a17th century piece where once again we see how money and society effect the lives of the characters.

Du Tenth and Li Jia fall in love, with one catch. They can’t be together unless they come up with money to buy Du Tenth from the courtesan house. This is where Li Jia finally shows his true colors. He was unable to come up with the money because his father made it clear that money was way more important then Du Tenth, and Li agreed. This shows not only the difference in class by showing how people look down on others, but it also brings money into it. Finally Du pays for half (showing she does have money) and raises the other half because of her love and blindness for Li.

At this point he then sells her to for some money. Betraying her love and showing that he does believe in his fathers thoughts and that’s just the way society was. This is when Du tenth obviously feels objectified and says, “In my jewel case there is true jade; I regret that you lack eyes in your head to see it” (pg. 516). Du tenth imagined her value would be recognized by Li Jia and therefore she would finally be accepted to live a life of a “decent” women.

This main underlying summary and distinct use of money once again in my opinion shows another broken down society in a literary 17th century piece. Menglong depicts it that way.