Reversal of Fortune

"The Last Emperor", Bernardo Bertolucci's biopic about Aisin-Gyoro Puyi, the twelfth ruler of the Qing Dynasty, was an intriguing depiction of the history of China and Great Britain during the 19th century. Puyi ascended the throne during the turn of the 20th century, but how his reign turned out could be traced to what happened in the mainland during the previous century. The film, which won the lion's share of Oscars in 1988, was based from Puyi's autobiography. Some might wondered if the Chinese government gave Bertolucci and his production team the green signal. Don't be surprised it the Italian filmmaker didn't encounter any difficulty.

It would be unfair to judge the book by its literary merits. And one must understand the history of China in able to realize why Puyi wrote in such a manner. Puyi seemed defensive, if not insistent of his innocence. Was Puyi being used by the Chinese government as a case of how their country was humiliated by foreign powers?

A life no less than ordinary

Puyi grew up in the most unusual circumstances. He was two years of age when he became the Emperor of China. He was frightened when he was forced to transfer from his humble home to the Forbidden City. He grew up in the company of strangers, not concealing his contempt towards the eunuchs. They were servants acting as his guardians, but the young emperor wanted a familiar face. It turned out to be his wet nurse.

The first thing that would come to mind of many readers was why Puyi didn't flee to another country. He could've lived in London comfortably, after becoming acquainted with Reginald Johnston. (The Scot was Puyi's tutor.) Puyi had patriotic feelings. Unfortunately, he was on a vulnerable spot. He was an easy target.

Between the middle of the 19th century and after the end of the 20th century, China would experience what their local historians called their public humiliation. It coincided with British nationalism at its highest. The ill effects of British colonization was debated through the years, while the upper class (of the Chinese society) wasn't spared of criticism. It could be the lack of nationalism, which made invasion by other countries possible. Puyi could have been faulted for not being strong when it needed it most. He tried, as his autobiography had shown. But it was his upbringing. Some saw a pity figure. The Chinese Communist Party (under Mao Zedong) could've humiliated him in public, but they let him led the life of a peasant instead.

The book also covered the Japanese Occupation, another contentious issue between Japan and China. Up to his old age, Puyi sworn that he didn't betray his country. He could've gone on exile in Japan when the Japanese forces were on the losing side. But he stayed. It might have been naïveté on his part. It might have been patriotism too.