The Character Image of Zhi Zihua (Gardenia) in The Scholar and the Executioner

Abstract

"The Scholar and the Executioner" is a prize-winning modern Chinese play written by the renowned playwright Huang Weiruo. First staged in 2005, it is a distinctive dark comedy set in the late Qing Dynasty.The playwright Huang Weiruo has crafted this absurdist comedy with biting satire and distinct humor, winning widespread acclaim.This paper aims to analyze the character of "Zhi Zihua" in the work, summarizing her threefold identity: the aware, the compassionate, and the survivor.Her presence not only balanced the gender narrative of the drama, but also elevated the theme from social satire to a philosophical reflection on the universal human predicament, highlighting the restorative power of the female experience in historical contexts.By comparing Zhi Zihua with the images of the other two male protagonists, the role of this character in enhancing the theme becomes evident.Through the creation of this character, playwright Huang Weiruo not only enriched the layers of the drama but also used it to criticize the rigid social system and call for a return to the true value of human nature.