The Field of Imperial Examination and the Regeneration of Social Dominance Relationship before 1895

This chapter explores the field of imperial examination and the regeneration of social dominance relationship before 1895. After analyzing the formation of the field, it examines its relations to others: The roles of the examiners and the candidates were complex, formal and informal structures coexisted, with the emperor balancing control. It also discusses the gentry habitus, which legitimated inequality and reproduced dominance. Finally, it notes Hunan&s;s local impacts on the field of imperial examination: Militarization boosted gentry status, academy culture influenced the imperial examination, and the urbanized gentry and immigrant culture shaped scholar behavior.