Chapters 5 and 6 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 5: Gladys receives a visit from the mandarin (akin to a local governor). She is told to fear this man as he may cut her head off if she bows to him incorrectly, but, in fact, the mandarin asks Gladys for help. By government decree, foot-binding of females (a popular and ancient custom) has been outlawed, and the mandarin needs a female with unbound feet to help enforce this new law. The mandarin would like Gladys to travel the province with two soldiers, albeit on very little salary, inspecting feet and making sure foot-binding is not taking place. Gladys takes the job, finding it at first a funny gig but in retrospect an invaluable way to end a cruel custom and spread more of the gospel.

Gladys describes a typical visit to a village. The soldiers with her announce...