The first introduction to the classical Chinese theater of Ming drama contains highlights from six of the best plays of the period and lively commentary on each, providing the context necessary for Western readers to grasp the scope of the genre.

Introduction to the reader as a fellow Mandarin --The white rabbit and the neglected wife : the white rabbit plays -- Xi Shi as innocence : Liang Chenyu's the girl washing silk -- Xi Shi as experience : Shan Ben's the plantain kerchief -- The plight of the amorous ghost : Tang Xianzu's the peony pavilion -- A quiz for-love : Wu Bing's the green peony -- Bigamy unabashed : Ruan Dacheng's the swallow letter.