Shi Po Tian

[mariecln]

What is SPT like, in terms of his character? I’ve only read of his superb martial arts (ranked amongst the top 3 in JY universe, I think), but rarely do I see anything mentioned about him as a person. I’m curious because I’m almost done with DGSD, and I’m trying to decide between OTG and LOCH as my 3rd JY novel. TIA!

[HuangYushi]

Here's something for a start:
http://www.spcnet.tv/forums/showpost...4&postcount=29
(Credits to c13:4567)

[mariecln]

… albeit decidedly naïve and simplistic. … Occasionally, I see a bit of Duan Yu in him, obviously minus the noble birth, the scholarly mannerism, the bookwormish quality and the thing for wang yuyan. Or maybe he’s closer to xu zhu?

Thank you for the link, HuangYushi!

Oh dear, I put off LOCH because I fear I won’t like Guo Jing, and the reason for that concern is his relatively naivety and slow mental processes. To think that Shi Po Tian is the same too … *sigh* I must say I’m rather disappointed.

In addition, SPT resembling Duan Yu and Xuzhu is worse news for me, since I don’t particularly like these 2 characters. I’m repulsed by what Duan Yu did in Xingzi Ling (Apricot Forest) ; and as for Xuzhu, I’m often annoyed by his naivety Plus there’s a part of me that feels that he’s undeserving of all that massive inner energies and awesome martial arts.

[kidd]

What did Duan Yu do in Apricot Forest? I forgot already.

You seem to have a problem with naive characters, why? (can't hard sell SPT to u liao. )

[stt76]

SPt is actually one of my favourite Jing Yong protagonists as well. So I thought I should just add that he might be naive but he definitely does not have slow mental processes. In fact I believe he is one of the most intelligent characters in the Jin Yong Canon.

[mariecln]

Kidd: I’m actually fine with naïve characters, seeing as I’m fairly fond of ZWJ (though that is largely due to Tony Leung’s portrayal). And I enjoyed DY’s goofiness and adventures, until … well, until XF came into the scene (or rather, into the pages of the novel). Compared to XF, DY and XZ just seemed so 'unhero-like'. Which I admit is unfair to the 2 men, but it’s just their luck to be in the same novel as XF Plus there’re times when I feel that Jin Yong crosses the line between naivety and stupidity, which makes his supposedly naïve characters rather annoying.

And to top it off, that DY had to act that way in Xingzi Ling (Apricot Forest)! Remember when the upset XF left the forest after breaking Shan Zhen’s sabre? After witnessing his brother’s pain and hurt, naturally, DY wanted to follow him. But that silly man had barely taken 3 steps before he stopped, because he couldn’t bear to leave his goddess Miss Wang!

DY *abandoned his sworn brother in XF's moment of distress*, and stayed in the forest primarily because he COULD NOT BEAR TO LEAVE MISS WANG! To me, that’s totally the wrong reason. Not to mention a huge put-off, given that DY is supposed to be the main protagonist in the novel.

Stt76: Don’t worry, by “relatively slow mental processes”, I was referring to GJ instead But it appears that SPT shares GJ”s naivety. And as mentioned above, there’re times when I feel that Jin Yong crosses the line between naivety and stupidity, which makes his supposedly naïve characters rather annoying However, if you think SPT is intelligent, I’ll take your word for it since I don't know the guy.

[Du Gu seeking a win]

Kidd:

Stt76: Don’t worry, by “relatively slow mental processes”, I was referring to GJ instead But it appears that SPT shares GJ”s naivety.

*
There's a reason for SPT's 'naivete', he wasn't exposed/distorted by 'civilization', his naivete isn't the same with Guo Jing's simplicity, probably you should read the thread I started:

http://www.spcnet.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=7791

[mariecln]

Thank you, Du Gu seeking a win!

I'm apprehensive about Xia Ke Xing because I feel that Jin Yong frequently overdoes the naive aspect and makes his naive characters seem more stupid than naive, which is annoying for me. Still, I cannot say for sure SPT is naive since I've not read the novel, the things I know of this character are all garnered from this forum. But it appears from some posts that people think the man is naive, hence, I'm disinclined to start on the novel.

[kidd]

My impression of SPT from the series I watch is that he is a person who sees everyone as good until proven otherwise (very strong proof is needed). He tend to believe in the goodness of people.

[siegefried]

He's a know-nothing GOD! (at 1st).. and INVINCIBLE and COOL..

[AresInvincible]

At least, as Jin Yong directly stated in his novel, Shi Po Tian is actually VERY smart.

[wuxian]

What novel is this character from?

[Suet Seung]

What novel is this character from?

Ode to Gallantry -Xia Ke Xing

[shanghai girls are hot]

SPt is actually one of my favourite Jing Yong protagonists as well. So I thought I should just add that he might be naive but he definitely does not have slow mental processes. In fact I believe he is one of the most intelligent characters in the Jin Yong Canon.

what makes him intelligent? need evidence.

[HuangYushi]

What novel is this character from?

Ode to Gallantry -Xia Ke Xing

There's a translation of OTG/XKX going on right now, so you might want to check that out. If you haven't read Chapter 1 yet, start here:
http://www.spcnet.tv/forums/showpost...5&postcount=93

Chapter 2, etc are found in subsequent posts:
http://www.spcnet.tv/forums/showpost...7&postcount=94
and so on...

[yittz]

It is stated he is intelligent. He learns things very quickly, but it just happened that everyone else got a 18 (13+5?) year head start on social interaction.

He learns martial arts really quickly, kinda like ZWJ.

But when I was reading the novel, I can't help but think he is dumb...some of things he end up doing/saying makes GJ look good.

If he was brought up properly, the ode would have been a mystery to him as well?

[kidd]

I've only read up to chapter 3. So far, my impression of him is he is pretty intelligent. For example, he knows that people need to pay for their food by observing the going-ons in the market. He can even discern when people don't have money to pay for their food. Another example is when Xie Yanke gives him BS answer when he reminds the former that he (XKY) has promised to look for him mum. Eventhough he has never been lied to before, he knows XYK is lying to him.

So, I think he is actually intelligent. But due to his very odd and very isolated upbringing, his reaction to his surroundings is very out of the box and can sometimes be stupid.

Come to think of it, there's one aspect I don't get about him. He has lived 13 years in the woods. Shouldn't he has strong survivor instinct. So, why would he endangers himself on so many occasions? I guess those heroic tales his mum told him made a greater impact on him than the wild beasts in the woods.

[The Khan]

what makes him intelligent? need evidence.

He can remember the 63 moves of the snow mountain sect swordplay in one night from just watching the snow mountain sect pugilists practising in the temple.

[Xi Men Chui Xue]

Any idea which era does Xia Ke Xing belong? From the TVB serial, there is a Wudang Sect. Sounds weird. Did this happen in the novel? Thanks.

[yittz]

I would assume its Ming, as there is little concern about rebelling if its in Qing