A Matter of Face

Lao SheFeb 2017

4.0

Word count: 35K words
Chapters: 5

Summary

In The Face Problem, the main character, Secretary Tong Jingming, is troubled by the idea that he "cannot lose status because of the War of Resistance" and "cannot let a mere official matter vex him to death." He neglects his duties and goes through the motions at work. When, after a lifetime of fussing over "face," he finally loses face completely and is dismissed, all he considers is asking the doctor for a "decent" way to commit suicide so as to preserve his "face." The other characters' "face problems" differ from one another. Lao She's satire of these figures is both another critique of the nation's deep-rooted flaws and a lashing of the corrupt ways of the Kuomintang bureaucracy during the War of Resistance.

Editor's review

The Face Problem is a satirical play by Lao She. Its central figure, Tong Jingming, values "status" and "decorum" above work and responsibility, and even after dismissal he remains fixated on a "decent" way to end it all. The script's sharpness lies not in exaggerated plot but in letting characters expose absurdity through everyday talk and trivial choices: skimping on official duties, fussing over appearances, protecting hollow reputations—these acts themselves keep striking at bureaucratic ways and national weaknesses. Readers can treat it as a mirror showing how "face" turns from social lubricant into a shackle that clouds judgment. It is short, with clear relationships, suited to reading in one quiet sitting and then revisiting lines that seem casual but carry barbs. If you care about the realist-critical side of Lao She's drama, this small play offers a more direct window than his fiction.

Who it's for

A good fit for

General readers interested in Lao She's plays and satirical literature
Those who want to learn about portrayals of wartime bureaucracy through a short play
Students and teachers needing classroom or book-club discussion of national character
Readers who like satire driven by dialogue in a compact script

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting a full-length narrative with complex plotting
Readers sensitive to satirical tone who want positive role models
Readers who only want light comedy and no social critique

Reading tips

Read the whole play first, noting how the context changes each time Tong Jingming mentions "status" or "decorum."
On a second pass, mark the other characters' "face problems" and compare them with the protagonist's.
After reading, consider the wartime bureaucratic context and why the satire lands on everyday trifles.

版权信息
序
第一幕
第二幕
第三幕

FAQ

What does this play mainly satirize?

Mainly the mindset that puts "face" and "status" above work and responsibility. Tong Jingming skimps on duties and fusses over appearances, and after dismissal still wants a "decent" way to commit suicide; the play thereby also attacks the corrupt ways of wartime bureaucracy and the vanity in national character.

Can I read it without experience reading drama?

Yes. The play is short, the characters are few, and dialogue drives the conflict. Read it first as a story, sort out who is protecting what "face," then go back to the satirical meaning of the lines; no prior knowledge of drama theory is needed.

Is it suitable for book-club discussion?

Yes. Each character's "face problem" differs, which easily prompts discussion of vanity, responsibility, and institutional conduct. Have participants mark the most absurd line in advance, then compare Tong Jingming's choices with those of the other characters.

Comments

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About the author

Lao She Author · China · 1899–1966

Lao She, born Shu Qingchun with the courtesy name Sheyu, lived from 1899 to 1966. A Manchu from Beijing, he is a major modern Chinese writer. His writing long centered on urban life in Beijing and on ordinary people at the lower levels of society. His works are mostly social novels and folk literature, and he also wrote essays and miscellaneous prose. His style is plain yet marked by irony and compassion, and he was skilled at using colloquial Beijing-flavored language to portray characters and their fates. His representative works include Camel Xiangzi, Four Generations Under One Roof, and Teahouse, which have had wide influence. In 1951 he received the title "People's Artist." The library holds 488 of his works, commonly classified under social fiction, classics, folk literature, essays and miscellaneous writings, and exam books, showing that his writing continues to circulate among readers and in teaching.