“The gentleman wore a black muslin cap with its two corners gathered together; a pair of interlinked circlets of white jade held the knot of hair at the back of his head. He was dressed in a green officer’s robe of flowered silk, bound at the waist by a girdle made of double strips of beaver and fastened by a silver clasp shaped like a tortoise back. His feet were shod in square-toed black boots. In his hand he carried a folding Chengdu fan. About thirty-five years old, he had a head like a panther, round eyes, a chin sharp as a swallow’s beak, whiskers like a tiger and was very tall.”
(The Outlaws of the Marsh Chapter 7)
The character description is vivid and detailed, providing a clear image of the gentleman’s appearance. The use of specific details, such as the black muslin cap, white jade circlets, flowered silk robe, and other elements, creates a rich visual portrayal. The comparison of his features to those of a panther, swallow, and tiger adds an evocative touch, enhancing the reader’s imagination. Overall, the description effectively paints a picture of the character’s attire, demeanor, and physical attributes.
Practice & Rewrite:
The gentleman adorned himself with a somber black muslin cap, its two corners delicately gathered, while a pair of interlinked circlets crafted from white jade encased the knot securing his hair at the nape. Clad in a resplendent officer’s robe of verdant silk, embellished with floral motifs, cinched at the waist by a girdle fashioned from twin strips of beaver, and secured by a silver clasp resembling the shell of a tortoise, his ensemble spoke of refinement. His square-toed black boots elegantly cloaked his feet. In his grasp, a folding Chengdu fan added a note of sophistication.
At the age of approximately thirty-five, he possessed a countenance akin to a panther, his eyes round and penetrating, his chin as pointed as a swallow’s beak. Whiskers, reminiscent of a tiger’s, adorned his visage, and his stature commanded attention.
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