great works ii – 2850 jta 12:25-2:05: love letters from the world

The protagonist of, “The Life of a Sensuous Woman” by Saikaku and “Du Tenth Sinks The Jewel Box In Anger”, are both women and prostitutes. However, the similarities end there. Unlike the protagonist of Saikaku short story, Du Tenth has deeper understanding of love. It states in the text, “How could I have guessed that you trust in me was so shallow that you could be confused by a groundless counsel”(Menglong 516)? She thought that love was based on sacrifices, not selfishness. For Du Tenth, being Li Jia “benefactress” wasn’t out of self-perseveration, instead it stemmed from the love she though Li Jia and she shared. Giving up one thousands taels of sliver was just a sacrifices that she had to make. The old women in Saikaku’s tale didn’t understand that type of love. For her, love was based on self-pleasure, “what could my partner give me?” Also, unlike Saikaku’s protagonist, Du Tenth understood her self worth. It states “In my jewel case there is true jade, I regret that you lack eyes in your head to see it”(Menglong 516). A loyal woman, Du Tenth knew her worth. She knew that the jewels she possessed internally were worth ten times more than the amount Ji Lia was trying to trade her in for. However, Ji Lia only saw her as a prostitute who wasn’t worth much, therefore she could be trade like cattle. The woman in Saikaku’s tale never learned this. For her, living as someone’s concubine was enough. For Du Tenth, love was more than just physical connection, it was something worth treasuring.