Robert Donat: The Mandarin of Yang Cheng
Photos
Quotes
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[Robert Donat's final line in his final film]
The Mandarin : We shall not see each other again, I think. Farewell, Jen-Ai.
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The Mandarin : What is a foreigner Captain? How would you describe yourself?
Capt. Lin Nan : My heart and my mind are Chinese, only my blood is mixed.
The Mandarin : If I have offended a guest in my house, I shall not forgive myself.
Capt. Lin Nan : It is my own mixed blood which offends me. Since I believe China should be for the Chinese.
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The Mandarin : Those men who are not frightened by the job are disgusted by it. They say it is not man's work to inspect the feet of women.
Capt. Lin Nan : Then appoint a woman. It's an interesting problem. I shall be happy to hear when you have solved it.
The Mandarin : [after a moment's thought] Then be happy Captain, I just solved it!
Capt. Lin Nan : [without emotion] I'm delighted.
The Mandarin : How kind of you to rejoice.
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Capt. Lin Nan : It is his foot inspector who is beautiful
Gladys Aylward : You're confusing me.
The Mandarin : Many people are confused these days. Let us have dinner and wine and music and discuss it further.
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Capt. Lin Nan : The Government is interested in the opinion of the local official: their functions, their efficiency, how they run their prisons, their modes of execution, and their *corruption* - or lack of corruption - the elimination of concubines, the management of government funds, even their manner of dress. Now, shall I make a formal protest about the foot-binding law in your name?
The Mandarin : I think not, Captain. It is better to bend with the wind when it blows.
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The Mandarin : I cannot speak for all China, just for this one district. Poor and weak as it is, I am confident it can survive many things: new laws, no concubines, even two eccentric English women.
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Capt. Lin Nan : I'm instructed to tell you that in some remote areas of China, the laws concerning taxes, the registrations of births and deaths, and the prohibition against foot-binding of women are not being properly enforced.
The Mandarin : But, foot-binding is a very old custom. Some of the people will never obey this law.
Capt. Lin Nan : You must appoint a foot inspector who will see that they do. This is part of a program aimed at the equality of women.
The Mandarin : The equality of women? That is amusing.
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Capt. Lin Nan : Mine will not be a long visit.
The Mandarin : However long, it will be too short.
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Capt. Lin Nan : China is going to be one country - not a grove of weak Provences left to their own devices.
The Mandarin : You're an Intelligence Officer, Captain, according to your credentials. May one ask have you come to impart intelligence or to obtain it?
Capt. Lin Nan : Both. Primarily I'm here to observe. The Government wishes to know more about this isolated region: its terrain, its population, its problems.
The Mandarin : Its terrain is mountainous, the population is peasant, and the problem is, as always, to stay *alive*.
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The Mandarin : It seems possible, however, she will not go.
Capt. Lin Nan : She'll go. They all go, the outsiders, the do-gooders, in time.
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The Mandarin : [to Jen-Ai] Do not compliment me. Do not - manage me. Do not be so - so Chinese!
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Gladys Aylward : You have to interfere with what is wrong if you hope to make it right.
The Mandarin : But that is what I tell them! And what are you guilty, I ask, that you object to her interfering?
Gladys Aylward : Then, you don't object?
The Mandarin : Certainly not. Bother the officials all you wish. Embarrass them. Ask them questions. Badger them. But, leave the women of my household alone!
Gladys Aylward : Oh.
The Mandarin : Exactly. Do not tell them that no human being should be subject to the will of another. And did you not tell them that to obey any man unquestioningly was old fashioned? And have you not been teaching them to read? Where will it end?
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The Mandarin : I'm surprised that you've never attempted to convert me!
Jen-Ai : I may be an interfering woman... but, I'm not a completely foolish one. I know when I have met my Master.
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The Mandarin : A life that is planned is a closed life, my friend. It can be endured, perhaps. It cannot be lived.
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Capt. Lin Nan : And so you lectured her on the difficulties of raising children? She thrives on difficulties. She's a very forceful woman.
The Mandarin : Yes. Yes, she is. But, she's also gentle and trusting. She walks through a world full of evil and sees only children. Not complicated or cruel. Just untidy ones that need to be washed and fed and - loved.
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The Mandarin : Are you troubled, Colonel?
Capt. Lin Nan : Confused.
The Mandarin : A sign of growth. When first we met, you were not capable of confusion. You were sure of everything.
