The Traditional Chinese Family

Paper Summary:

The paper examines the two novels, and explains what they each have to say about several different aspects of Chinese family life in their respective eras. The paper contrasts the attitudes described by the novels and demonstrates both similarities and differences in Chinese culture over a century and a half of transition. In conclusion, the writer finds that both novels do an excellent job of educating us about the Chinese culture, as well as entertaining and enlightening us.

Table of Contents:
The Status of Women
Confucianism
Change
Conclusion
Works Reviewed

From the Paper:

"The situation of the woman became forged on the Confucian principle of total subordination and submission to the man. Confucian philosophy emphasized the lowly role of the woman. Many rich daughters would be made to study only the parts of Confucius that dictated the total submission to the male of the family. They were kept totally unaware and dependent on their father, then on their husband. Although women's roles varied, all were subservient. As a peasant wife a woman worked both in the house and in the fields. She could be a household slave. She could be a prostitute, or a concubine serving only her master's pleasure. Finally, she could be an upper class wife, with servants to wait on her and do the housework. Rich or poor, if she is a wife, her principal function is to bear sons."

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