This book is the master work of the illustrious Yuan Dynasty zaju playwright Guan Hanqing. The embryo of the story was an ancient folk tale, generally known as "The Filial Daughter of the East Coast." The play reveals the seamy side of Yuan Dynasty society. It is a scathing indictment of corrupt officialdom and the cruel oppression of the ordinary people by conspiracies of petty local tyrants through the story of the sufferings of the heroine Dou E. At the same time, it pours enthusiastic praise on the stubborn spirit of resistance of the ordinary people.
