Gender Relations in Chinese Literature

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how Feng Menglong provides a window into the social, cultural, economic and political nature of Chinese society in the 17th century in his story "Han the Fifth Sells her Charms in New Bridge Town". The paper looks specifically at gender relations in Chinese Society in the 17th century. The paper explains that men and women had rigidly defined roles as well as a range of social and moral obligations attached to these gender roles. Individuals who fail to remain within these prescribed gender roles are seen as weak and immoral. The paper then discusses how Feng Menglong demonstrates what happens when individuals step outside of their prescribed gender roles.

From the Paper:

"From the story "Han the Fifth Sells her Charms in New Bridge Town" it appears that gender roles were very important in 17th Century Chinese society. Men were seen as being connected to the Yang(Menglong 91). In order to understand the importance of this it is necessary to look at the concept of Ying and Yang. Ying and Yang are often expressed in a symbol known as the Tai Ji Tu made up of two fish shaped symbols forming a circle. Yang is the active, male heaven principle. Ying is the passive, female earth principle."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Guiley, Rosemary Ellen, Harper's Encyclopedia of Mystical and Paranormal Experience,Castle Books, 1991.
• Menglong, Feng, "Han the Fifth Sells Her Charms in New Bridge Town" in Stories Old and New, Feng Menglong, Shuhui Yang and Yunqin Yang(trans), University of Washington Press, 2000: 76-93.

More papers on Gender Relations in Chinese Literature:

• Persuasive Essay # 134537 : "Gender Relations in Chinese Literature"
• Book Review # 108001 : "Gender Relations in James Joyce's "The Dead"
• Analytical Essay # 134384 : "Gender Relations in Feng Menglong's Work"

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