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What would have happened to the missionaries if ...

posted 13 years ago by angelofvic
7 replies | jump to latest

What would have happened to the missionaries if the captain (Lt. Collins) had not decided to break through the blockade and rescue them?

Was Jameson delusional in thinking that his "country-less" papers, and friendship with the Chinese, would keep him and Shirley safe? Or, was he correct when he said that the sailors had ruined everything by crashing through the blockade and killing the Chinese, thus arousing the ire of those who previously had been his friends?

What do you think? What was the movie trying to say? And what is implied or stated in the book? Who was right, Collins or Jameson?
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[–] thelastrebel64 13 years ago

In the book it is explained that Cho-jen was in a power struggle with a rival faction within his political party. Cho-jen had been using his influence to protect the missionaries at China Light. Once he died in the battle at the boom, the missionaries were doomed. Collins did not know all this, but he was still right.

"Pray for an early spring ... or permission to open fire."

[–] angelofvic 13 years ago

Although Collins did not know this, he was still right.

Sorry, it sounds like you are saying two different things.

My question is, would the missionaries have been completely safe if Collins had left matters completely alone and obeyed the orders he was actually given? Would the "country-less" papers have kept them safe no matter what?
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[–] thelastrebel64 13 years ago

No, the missionaries were dead meat. Cho-jen's political rivals wanted the missionaries gone. Cho-jen was the only reason they were still at China Light, after he personally intervened to save Jameson from prison and a death sentence for growing opium at China Light (this is in the book). After Cho-jen was killed, the missionaries no longer enjoyed his protection. Even Cho-jen only wanted to allow some of the missionaries to remain, and only on his terms. China was exploding in political violence, and the missionaries would have been driven off or killed eventually. Jameson's little scrap of paper didn't mean squat to the Chinese.

"Pray for an early spring ... or permission to open fire."

[–] angelofvic 13 years ago

OK, now answer the question: If Cho-jen were still alive, which he would be if Collins had left matters completely alone and obeyed the orders he was actually given, would the missionaries have been completely safe?
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[–] thelastrebel64 13 years ago

When political turmoil broke out in China, Cho-jen would have been unable to protect them from reprisals. His personal influence was limited, and he had ruthless enemies who were determined to get rid of him. There was tremendous anti-foreigner sentiment in China at the time. Even if Cho-jen had lived, it was only a matter of time before the missionaries were either run off or, more likely, killed.

"Pray for an early spring ... or permission to open fire."

[–] angelofvic 13 years ago

OK, thanks very much. :)
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[–] thelastrebel64 13 years ago

You're welcome. :)

"Pray for an early spring ... or permission to open fire."