| The dissertation has analyzed the comments of Arthur Evans Moule on the Chinese cities, historical events, society, culture, religion and rites through a close reading of his archives, published books, and discourse analysis. His50years of living in and observing China made him advantageous compared with other westerners in understanding Chinese people and more objectively depicting the image of China. Though his points of view to a certain extent represent most missionaries in China at the same time, his role as a missionary of Church Missionary Society from a British middle class family, his life experiences, his personality, and his religious beliefs shaped his special perspective of comments on China.The dissertation consists of an introduction, three parts (the Geography and Historical Relics of Ningbo and Hangzhou, the Historical Events, Religion and Culture), a conclusion and four appendices. The introduction firstly traces the change of the image of China in the western history, presents why the research is chosen and the significance of it, followed by the method, theory and the resources of the research.Arthur Evans Moule has introduced the historical relics of Ningbo to the western world, the situation of Christians in Ningbo and the relations between the Trinity College of Ningbo and his family and he never feels hesitated to express his deep love for Ningbo. Arthur Evans Moule has also given a vivid description of what he had seen in Hangzhou for the first time and has done a careful study of the honorary portals, the city gates, the streets, and the portages of the rivers of the city. His description helps us see the old features of the ancient capital in late Qing dynasty and find its development in history, and thus gives us another dimension to know Hangzhou better.After witnessing Taiping Rebellion in Ningbo, Arthur Evans Moule has analyzed its cause and the reason of its failure. He holds that Taiping Rebellion has brought the Chinese people a devastation. The rebellion failed because it was fundamentally an uprising of farmers stimulated by the Chinese way of Christianity. From this rebellion, A.E.Moule held that China was awaking and tried to find a way to rescue and reform the nation. In the years when he was in China, A.E.Moule witnessed the rapid expansion of the Opium Trade in China, and pointed out its harms to both China and Britain. Arthur has published many articles in magazines, delivered speeches and participated in the anti-opium activities. His research and criticism provided more historical materials for us to study the Opium Trade and helped us have a conscious reflection and an alarm of the opium issue in China.A.E.Moule has made the comparison between the "Rites Controversy" in the Ming dynasty and the one in late Qing dynasty and pointed out their characteristics respectively. The "Rites Controversy" which lasted for hundreds of years transmitted the different aspects of the Chinese culture to the western world and highlights the change of the attitudes of the missionaries at different times. A.E.Moule has also studied and commented on the religion and the other local religious activities in China, which to a certain degree prevented the Christian cause in China. A.E.Moule has narrated and criticized the content, method and proctor of the civil service examination system in China and also suggested the way to reform it. In addition, A.E.Moule criticized some of the traditional Chinese etiquettes, and remarked it is wise and promising to the mission cause if the missionaries could respect Chinese etiquettes.Playing the role of a bridge between the two cultures, A.E.Moule has contributed a lot in the Sino-western exchanges and relationship though some of his views are carrying a sense of superiority in his own Christian Culture. He is so keen to have an insight into all kinds of corrupt practices prevailing in late Qing dynasty and is so wise as to be aware that China is awakening and progressing. |
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