"The Last Empress" Characters Analysis

List of Characters

Role Identification

In "The Last Empress" by Anchee Min, the main protagonist is Orchid, a young girl who rises through the ranks of the Forbidden City to become the Empress of China. The primary antagonist is Empress Dowager Cixi, who holds significant power and influence over the imperial court. There are several supporting characters, including Emperor Xianfeng, Prince Gong, An-te-hai, Emperor Guangxu, Yung Lu, and Empress Dowager Ci'an, who play important roles in the story.

Character Descriptions

• Orchid: Orchid is a strong-willed and intelligent young girl who enters the Forbidden City as a lowly servant but eventually becomes the Empress of China. She is described as beautiful, resourceful, and determined.
• Empress Dowager Cixi: Empress Dowager Cixi is a formidable and manipulative character. She is known for her political cunning and ability to maintain control over the imperial court. She is described as intelligent, ambitious, and ruthless.
• Emperor Xianfeng: Emperor Xianfeng is the ruler of China and Orchid's husband. He is portrayed as weak-willed and easily influenced by others, including Empress Dowager Cixi.
• Prince Gong: Prince Gong is a loyal supporter of Orchid and plays a crucial role in her rise to power. He is depicted as intelligent, strategic, and compassionate.
• An-te-hai: An-te-hai is Orchid's loyal servant and confidante. She provides emotional support to Orchid throughout her journey and is described as kind-hearted and devoted.
• Emperor Guangxu: Emperor Guangxu is Orchid's son and the future ruler of China. He is initially portrayed as a child, but as he grows older, he becomes more aware of the political complexities of his position.
• Yung Lu: Yung Lu is a military general who becomes Orchid's lover and ally. He is depicted as brave, loyal, and honorable.
• Empress Dowager Ci'an: Empress Dowager Ci'an is Empress Dowager Cixi's co-regent and initially Orchid's ally. She is portrayed as a more moderate and compassionate figure compared to Empress Dowager Cixi.

Character Traits

• Orchid: Orchid is determined, intelligent, resourceful, and resilient. She is willing to take risks to achieve her goals and is not afraid to challenge traditional gender roles.
• Empress Dowager Cixi: Empress Dowager Cixi is cunning, ambitious, manipulative, and ruthless. She is willing to do whatever it takes to maintain her power and control over the imperial court.
• Emperor Xianfeng: Emperor Xianfeng is weak-willed, easily influenced, and lacks strong leadership skills. He relies heavily on Empress Dowager Cixi's guidance and advice.
• Prince Gong: Prince Gong is intelligent, strategic, compassionate, and loyal. He supports Orchid in her quest for power and acts as her trusted advisor.
• An-te-hai: An-te-hai is kind-hearted, devoted, and loyal. She provides emotional support to Orchid and remains by her side throughout her journey.
• Emperor Guangxu: Emperor Guangxu starts off as a child but grows into a more aware and responsible leader. He is depicted as intelligent and eager to learn.
• Yung Lu: Yung Lu is brave, loyal, honorable, and a skilled military general. He becomes Orchid's lover and ally, supporting her in her rise to power.
• Empress Dowager Ci'an: Empress Dowager Ci'an is more moderate and compassionate compared to Empress Dowager Cixi. She is willing to work with Orchid and support her in her role as Empress.

Character Background

• Orchid: Orchid comes from a poor family and is chosen to be a servant in the Forbidden City. She quickly rises through the ranks due to her intelligence and beauty, eventually catching the attention of Emperor Xianfeng.
• Empress Dowager Cixi: Empress Dowager Cixi was originally a concubine of Emperor Xianfeng and rose to power after his death. She becomes the de facto ruler of China and exercises control over the imperial court.
• Emperor Xianfeng: Emperor Xianfeng is the ruler of China and Orchid's husband. He is known for his extravagant lifestyle and lack of interest in governance.
• Prince Gong: Prince Gong is a member of the royal family and a supporter of Orchid. He holds a high-ranking position in the imperial court and becomes Orchid's trusted ally.
• An-te-hai: An-te-hai is a servant in the Forbidden City and becomes Orchid's close companion and confidante.
• Emperor Guangxu: Emperor Guangxu is Orchid's son and the future ruler of China. He ascends to the throne at a young age and faces the challenges of leadership.
• Yung Lu: Yung Lu is a military general who becomes Orchid's lover and ally. He is known for his bravery and loyalty.
• Empress Dowager Ci'an: Empress Dowager Ci'an is Empress Dowager Cixi's co-regent and initially supports Orchid in her role as Empress.

Character Arcs

• Orchid: Orchid starts as a lowly servant in the Forbidden City and through her intelligence and determination, she rises to become the Empress of China. Her character arc is one of personal growth, as she learns to navigate the complexities of the imperial court and assert her power.
• Empress Dowager Cixi: Empress Dowager Cixi starts as a concubine and manipulates her way to become the de facto ruler of China. Her character arc is one of maintaining power and control over the imperial court.
• Emperor Xianfeng: Emperor Xianfeng remains weak-willed and easily influenced throughout the story. His character arc revolves around his relationship with Orchid and his inability to govern effectively.
• Prince Gong: Prince Gong starts as a loyal supporter of Orchid and remains by her side throughout her journey. His character arc is one of loyalty and strategic support.
• An-te-hai: An-te-hai remains a devoted servant and friend to Orchid throughout the story. Her character arc revolves around her unwavering loyalty to Orchid.
• Emperor Guangxu: Emperor Guangxu starts as a child and grows into a more aware and responsible leader. His character arc is one of maturity and understanding the complexities of his position.
• Yung Lu: Yung Lu starts as a military general and becomes Orchid's lover and ally. His character arc is one of loyalty and bravery.
• Empress Dowager Ci'an: Empress Dowager Ci'an starts as Orchid's ally but her character arc is cut short due to her untimely death.

Relationships

Orchid's most significant relationship is with Empress Dowager Cixi, who is both her mentor and rival. Orchid navigates a complex relationship with Emperor Xianfeng, who is easily swayed by others, including Empress Dowager Cixi. Prince Gong becomes Orchid's trusted ally and confidante, providing support and guidance throughout her journey. An-te-hai remains a loyal servant and friend to Orchid, offering emotional support. Orchid forms a romantic relationship with Yung Lu, a military general who becomes her lover and ally. Orchid's relationship with Emperor Guangxu is maternal, as she raises him to become the future ruler of China. Empress Dowager Ci'an initially supports Orchid but her relationship is cut short due to her death.