Final answer:
The teachings of Confucius on filial piety stress the importance of family bonds over state-related duties. Social status and moral character played significant roles in historical China, touching on aspects of politics, culture, and personal dignity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of filial piety, which is integral to Confucian ideology, places a higher emphasis on family loyalty over state demands. This value teaches that caring for one's family, respecting and following the guidance of the elders, is a top priority.
Likewise, within the social fabric of historical China, the position of mandarins, who were top officials in the hierarchical structure, carried immense value in terms of social status and influence. Above all, a person's moral character was considered paramount, as depicted in various examples, including the evaluation of the bald man in Fang's painting not by appearance or occupation but rather by moral quality.
Moreover, rewarding someone who has journeyed far to address grievances, as seen in the anecdote from the Xuande Emperor's era, illustrates the importance attached to gestures signaling respect in diplomatic relations.
The student is asking about the technique of idiomatic phrasemetaphor and its effect on the reader. An idiomatic phrasemetaphor is a figure of speech that conveys meaning beyond the literal interpretation of the words. In this case, the phrase is an idiomatic Chinese saying that implies that a person has gained respect or status in the eyes of another.
In the given context, the use of this phrase suggests that the writer's father is only pleased with their success because it brings him praise. This highlights the self-centered and self-absorbed nature of the father.