The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
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The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
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1360-1424
Chinese Ming Dynasty emperor who sent Admiral Cheng Ho (c. 1371- c. 1433) on a series of naval expeditions to Southeast Asia, India, Persia, Arabia, and even Africa. Also known as Chu Ti (Yung-lo was his reign title), the emperor in 1405 commissioned what would turn out to be six voyages during his lifetime. Though the purpose of these expeditions was to display Chinese power, they also yielded some exchanges, including the delivery of an African giraffe to Yung-lo's court. In 1421, Yung-lo moved the imperial court from Nanjing to Beijing, where China's government has remained ever since. At Beijing, he built the "Forbidden City," a palace some 5 mi (8 km) in circumference, containing approximately 2,000 rooms in which more than 10,000 servants attended the imperial family.