The Chinese Lantern: A Play

The Chinese Lantern is a play by Laurence Housman, first published in 1908, set in a Chinese studio. It explores themes of artistic ambition, identity, and social relationships through the interactions of characters like Olangtsi, his son Yunglangtsi, and their apprentices. The narrative contrasts the indolence of students preparing for the Feast of Lanterns with the diligence of Tikipu, highlighting the tensions between personal aspirations and familial expectations within the artistic community.