本书是“中国戏曲海外传播工程丛书”中的一本，该系列以英文图书的形式向海外读者介绍中国戏曲文化，由多部经典剧目构成。该剧展示了当时的下层人民任人宰割、有苦无处诉的悲惨处境，控诉了贪官草菅人命的黑暗现实，生动刻画出窦娥这个女性形象。本书部分介绍剧本的内容概要、来龙去脉以及主创人员，第二部分是脚本，第三部分是附录，主要是对京剧剧种的简要介绍。

韩爱果，美国宾西法尼亚州立印第安那大学语言与思辨学博士。任教于新泽西州罗文大学写作艺术系，主讲英语写作艺术和中国语言文化，开办科学认知和创新思维的系列讲座。研究领域为写作艺术教学、认知思辨与道家哲学。专著论文主要涵盖认知思辨、社会价值体系、领导艺术和东西方思想文化交流。多次应邀在中国和美国大学举办中国传统哲学思想的专题讲座。

Chapter Ⅰ
From Street Entertainment to Theatric Art: A Brief History
of Chinese Dramas_1
1.Song Zaju and Jin Yuanben—Precursors of Yuan
Drama_1
2.The Development of Yuan Zaju_7
Chapter Ⅱ
Stories about Guan Hanqing—the Original_18
1.Guan Hanqing—the Playwright_18
2.The Story of Injustice to Dou E_23
Chapter Ⅲ
Inspirations for the Story of Injustice to Dou E_29
1.Origins of the Story_30
2.Character Input of Dou E_33
Chapter Ⅳ
About the Characters in Injustice to Dou E_40
1.The Character of Dou E_41
2.The Character of Dou Tianzhang_46
3.The Character of Tao Wu_47
4.The Character of Donkey Zhang_48
5.The Character of Sai Luyi_49
6.The Character of Madam Cai_50
Chapter Ⅴ
How to Put the Story Together_51
1.Connecting the Past and Present_51
2.Being Real and Romantic_53
3.Enriching the Plot of a Short Story_58
4.Making the Characters Talk to One Another_70
Chapter Ⅵ
From Injustice to Dou E to Snow in June_76
1.Earlier Editions of Injustice to Dou E_78
2.Adaptations in Beijing Opera Snow in June_81
3.Some Thoughts about the Beijing Opera Adaptation_108
Chapter Ⅶ
Cultural Messages from Injustice to Dou E_111
1.About Filial Obedience_112
2.On Marriage and Fidelity_115
3.Personal Ambitions,Family Honor,and Family Tragedy_117
4.Beliefs,Choices,and Destinies_119
5.What if…?Is There a Different Path for Life?_124
Chapter Ⅷ
English Translation of Injustice to Dou E from Beijing Opera_128
Beijing opera ABC_165
Works Consulted and Cited_217
Bibliography_218