Judge Dee Case Study

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Skyler Seamons 9:30 Straton Judge Deez Nuts Are Guud The book, Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee (Dee Goong An), takes place in China, during the Tang dynasty. The Tang dynasty took place from 618-907 CE and included both Confucian and Legalist influences. Located in the Province of Shantung, is the town district called Chang-Ping, where Dee Goong An served as the town 's magistrate. A magistrate is a judge, detective, and peacekeeper who captures criminals and is responsible for their punishments. The people of China looked at magistrates as the "mother and father" of their town. Magistrates received a large amount of respect from the people due to the amount of authority and power they had. With so many people relying on him to make their home …show more content…

Daoism is a Chinese philosophy that focuses on Dao, or, "the way". Daoists believe in the supernatural, nature, and hope to understand the natural principles that governed the world and how we could learn to live in harmony with them. Judge Dee relies heavily on spiritual inspiration when all else fails. When Judge Dee was having a hard time solving the Bee Hsun case, he decided to go to the city temple, and pray. Judge Dee thought that begging to the "Powers on High" (79) would show him to the way of this case. This suggests that the magistrate depends on spiritual forces in times of need. After, he tries to meditate, which is also a Daoist idea. "He sat down on the cushion, with crossed legs and his body erect. Closing his eyes, he tried to achieve a tranquil state of mind." (79) Judge Dee was using meditation, which is to reach a level of spiritual peace by becoming one with your surroundings, which is very Daoist. This shows that Judge Dee uses Daoist qualities in attempt to be a more effective …show more content…

Legalism was practical and ruthless. Legalists did not concern themselves with ethics, morality, or propriety, but with harsh and mutual punishments. When Judge Dee was questioning Hsu Deh-tai about the secret passage and Hsu was denying it all, Judge Dee gave him cruel torture. "The judge then ordered the constables to give Hsu Deh-tai fifty lashes with the thin rattan. They tore Hsu 's robes from his back, and soon the rattan swished through the air. Long before the number fifty was reached, blood streamed from Hsu 's back, and his screams resounded through the hall." (193) Hsu would not confess and that is when Judge Dee got upset and powerfully yelled, "I shall show you what happens to people who defy the laws of the land! In the tribunal everybody is equal, here there is no regard for rank or position. The great torture shall be applied to you!" (194) The constables brought in a wooden cross, which was a torture device and "made Hsu kneel down with his back to this cross and lashed his throat. His wrists were put through two holes at the ends of the crossbar, and his hands tied securely to the bar, so that they could not slip through. They passed a thick, round pole between the back of his thighs and his calves, and finally laid a long, heavy wooden beam across his lap." (194) After the device was set up "Judge Dee ordered them to

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