Curiosity About Historical Figures and Modern Life
Puyi, age 15:
Who is this George Washington?
Reginald Johnston:
A famous American, Your Majesty. A revolutionary general, the first American president.
Puyi, age 15:
Ah, like Mr. Lenin in Russia?
Puyi, age 15:
Does he have a car?
Reginald Johnston:
He lived a long time ago, Your Majesty.
Puyi, age 15:
I want a car.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Burden of Responsibility and Manipulation
Jin Yuan: [Puyi continues working as if trying to ignore the Governor; Puyi continues working]
Perhaps you think we're here to teach men to lie in a new way? Why did you sign every accusation made against you? I didn't stop you from killing yourself to see you like this! Someone who will sign anything to please his enemies... to please me! You knew about a lot of things in Manchukuo... even the secret agreements. But you couldn't possibly have known about the Japanese biological warfare experiments in Harbin! Could you? So why did you sign these papers?
Puyi:
I was responsible for everything.
Jin Yuan:
You are responsible for what you do! All your life you thought you were better than everyone else. Now you think you're the worst of all!
Puyi: [sighs]
Why can you not leave me alone? You saved my life to make me a puppet in your own play. You saved me because I am useful to you.
Jin Yuan:
Is that so terrible? To be useful?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Loneliness of the Crowned Emperor
Reginald Johnston:
The Emperor has been a prisoner in his own palace since the day that he was crowned, and has remained a prisoner since he abdicated. But now he's growing up, he may wonder why he's the only person in China who may not walk out of his own front door. I think the Emperor is the loneliest boy on Earth.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Power of Attitude in Salvation
Jin Yuan:
Your salvation will lie entirely in the attitude you take!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Judgment and Belief in Human Nature
Jin Yuan:
The Americans believe everyone is born good. You must be judged.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Preference for Western Products
Puyi:
Anything Western was good. Especially Wrigley's chewing gum, Bayer aspirin, and cars.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Corruption in Transition from Empire to Republic
Puyi:
After a few years, the tiny republic had become as corrupt as the old Empire. It fell quickly into the hands of ambitious generals and corrupt bureaucrats.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Prison or School: A Conflicted Perspective
Puyi:
This isn't a school; it's a prison. A real prison.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Theater Without an Audience
Puyi:
The Forbidden City had become a theater without an audience. So, why did the actors remain on the stage?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
