Chapter I Contexts _ 1 1. Profile of Gao Lian _ 1 2. Historical Background _ 12 Chapter II Cultural Components of the Drama _ 22 1. Cultural Elements in Creating the Drama _ 22 2. Religious Meanings _ 44 3. Family and Marriage Values _ 53 4. The Imperial Examination System in Ancient China _ 57 Chapter III Aspects of the Drama _ 62 1. Main Characters _ 62 2. Synopsis of the Plotline _ 72 3. Qupai (Tune) in The Jade Hairpin _ 132 The Playscript with Annotations _ 142 Kunqu Opera ABC _ 196 Appendixes _ 246 Back to the Elegance Traditions with The Jade Hairpin _246 The Jade Hairpin, a String of Pearls_251 Bibliography _ 257