Mediating Dual Roles in Overseas Journey: Public and Private Writings by Bin Chun (1804–1871)

Abstract

This study examines how Bin Chun 斌椿 (1804–1871), the first late Qing Chinese scholar-official to Europe, kept a critical distance from the West by delivering different messages between his prose (written for the late Qing court) and poetry (shared with friends). It explores his representations of “self-styled heroism,” Qing Occidentalism, and gender hierarchy in writing. In the prose written for a more public purpose, Bin Chun credited his popularity to the respected nation behind him, portrayed Westerners as barbarians, and reserved his praise for upper-class women in the West. In contrast, his poems elaborate on his charisma, tone down the bizarre scenes in the West, and include exuberant descriptions of ladies. As the official has been considered a conservative who failed to recognize the strength of the West, this research sheds light on his efforts at cultural mediation that reveal further complexity in his stance.