# The Chinese — Travel Essays character guide

> The Chinese in Travel Essays by Robert Louis Stevenson.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** the despised Chinese, The Chinese

**First appearance:** 0084-san-francisco

## Who they are

Chinese immigrants encountered in California.

## In the story

### [Early Impressions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/travel_essays_se/chapters/early-impressions)

Not directly present in this chapter, but the narrator's reflections on emigration and labor may implicitly reference broader immigrant groups.

### [Across the Plains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/travel_essays_se/chapters/across-the-plains)

Stevenson comments on the Chinese laborers he sees, reflecting on their marginalized status and the prejudice they face.

### [Leaves from the Notebook of an Emigrant Between New York and San Francisco](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/travel_essays_se/chapters/leaves-from-the-notebook-of-an-emigrant-between-new-york-and-san-francisco)

Mentioned in the context of the narrator's reflections on race and prejudice, though not directly encountered in this chapter.

### [The Emigrant Train](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/travel_essays_se/chapters/the-emigrant-train)

The Chinese are segregated into a separate car on the train, mentioned as part of the sorting process.

### [Fellow-Passengers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/travel_essays_se/chapters/fellow-passengers)

Noted as having the least offensive car on the train, representing one wave of emigration from the East.

### [Despised Races](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/travel_essays_se/chapters/despised-races)

Observed with respect and wonder; their ancient civilization and cleanliness contrasted with the prejudice of fellow passengers.

### [Monterey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/travel_essays_se/chapters/monterey)

Mentioned in the context of Kearney's campaign against Chinese labour; also described as part of the local scene with joss-sticks and opium pipes.

### [The Woods and the Pacific](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/travel_essays_se/chapters/the-woods-and-the-pacific)

Mentioned in the context of Chinatown and the hamlet where joss-sticks burn and opium pipes are smoked.

### [Mexicans, Americans, and Indians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/travel_essays_se/chapters/mexicans-americans-and-indians)

Described as having taught the youth of California the use of opium, and noted as a presence in the local population.

### [San Francisco](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/travel_essays_se/chapters/san-francisco)

Described as a distinct community with their own quarter, shops, and joss-house.

### [The Toll House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/travel_essays_se/chapters/the-toll-house)

The Chinese cook glimpsed in the back parts of the inn, and a Chinese desperado encountered among the stage passengers.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/travel_essays_se/characters/the_chinese
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/travel_essays_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/travel_essays_se/characters