MovieChat Forums > The Last Emperor (1988) Discussion > Pu-Yi's wet nurse banished

Pu-Yi's wet nurse banished


The High Consorts had Pu Yi's wet nurse banished because he was too old for a wet nurse and it's not healthy to still have one at an older age.

reply

I thought it was because she would have had undue influence over him-as they showed when he became upset he went to her for comfort.

Conceive Deceive or Leave
https://disqus.com/home/channel/conceievedeceiveorleave/

reply

Well it was that too and anyway, she needed to go. And yes, Pu Yi was upset and went to visit his wet nurse who comforted him while he nursed. The High Consorts who have been watching them from the boat did not approve and the wet nurse was sent away. Meanwhile, in class, his brother informed him that he was no longer emperor because of the president of the republic entered the forbidden city and the high tutor verified this saying he will always be the emperor only inside the Forbidden City. Pu Yi then asked for his wet nurse as he was worried about her and he runs off to find her gone because she was whisked away against her will before he can find her and he was told that he was too old for a wet nurse and that it was not healthy. But to him, she was also his butterfly. She cried as she was taken away and Pu Yi ran after her crying for her until the gates closed.

reply

I think all the reasons given are plausible. He had to be weaned and as long as she remained in the palace it would not be possible to keep them apart. The old consorts also wanted to remove any challenge to their power.

But in terms of the movie narrative i think it was meant to reinforce his isolation. He rushed to the door of the palace later and is blocked, just as when he tries to leave his mansion in Manchuria.

Surrounded by people and yet only his wife, his tutor and wet nurse were really there for him. And one by one they all leave him one way or another.

reply