Summary

In “Red Rose, White Rose,” Zhenbao had two women in his life. One was his wife and one his mistress. He believed he was the ideal Chinese man who could make any situation work to his favor. He was a good father, a kind son, and an ideal husband. He had been born poor but had worked hard to better himself.

Before his wife and mistress, Zhenbao had two other women in his life, both of whom he considered insignificant. The first was a “Paris whore” (257) who was Zhenbao’s first experience with a prostitute. He learned that even though he could spend money on a prostitute, he could not be her master. It was after this experience that Zhenbao decided he wanted to create a world over which he could be the absolute master.

Zhenbao’s first love was a...