Dragon Seed Page #3

Did you not tell our son

he could not have the girl?

Quiet, woman. I read.

Out of all this,

something terrible will happen.

We are students

who have come from the university...

...to travel through the country

and tell you and others like you...

...news of the war in the North.

The Japanese march toward us.

These are two pictures

of what the Japanese are doing.

They are doing it now.

While you sit here and watch,

these very things are happening.

Shen, have you seen my fourth cousin?

These are your people

they are murdering and mine.

This is our country they are looting.

The enemy is ruthless.

He regards us only as slaves.

We cannot deal with him.

We must resist him.

- I'm sorry.

- Seeking someone perhaps?

- Not the one who would sit near you.

- lf she were my wife...

It is with pleasure that I leave you.

When the Japanese reach your village...

...they will come with lies in their mouths

and death in their hands.

And you must resist them,

even to your own deaths.

And beyond.

Are you able to do this?

Tell me you are.

All of you rise and tell me you are able.

We are able.

See? There is one who speaks.

Are there not others? Tell me. Come.

Yes. Come.

You come. I'm hungry.

The woman should have food ready

when her man is hungry.

My wife is at home where she should be.

Am I speaking into the wind?

Have you not understood

what you have seen and heard?

I know you have. Tell me you will

resist the enemy when he comes.

- How then can we resist?

- Can we fight machines with our hands?

Why do you shame me

by showing yourself off to everybody?

I come home, my belly roaring

like a hungry lion.

Why did you not eat and silence it?

How can I when you're not in your place?

I'm ashamed before my parents.

- I wish you'd not go in the street alone.

- Why?

- Other men will see you.

- I do not look.

I do not want them to look at you.

You're my wife.

But I cannot stay always in the courtyard.

These are not ancient times.

I wish it were those times.

I'd like to lock you up.

If you lock me up,

I wouldn't eat and then die.

I would not let you.

But these are the new times,

and I will come and go as I please.

- I should beat you.

- I have done nothing.

But you are not

where a woman should be at...

At home, waiting for her husband.

And there is this thing.

Before we were wed,

when the choice was put to you...

...why did you not choose me

above my fourth cousin?

If you could choose now,

which would it be?

You both have two arms and legs,

and all your fingers and toes.

Neither of you are

scabby-headed, nor cross-eyed.

- What, then, is the difference between you?

- You used me very ill.

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