Writing Women in China - Essay Example

Full Department: Writing Women in China China like most ancient Asian civilizations still follows the customs of Arranged marriage. An arranged marriage is one where the match between a girl and a boy is decided their respective families. This match is decided based on family background and status in society and does not focus on whether the boy and the girl really love each other or are compatible with each other. In a way marriage is considered more of a necessary union to bring families together and enlarge a clan. China being a patriarchal society has set rules on the role of a husband and that of a wife in the marriage. The marriage traditions in China are based on the concept of Yin and Yang, where Yin is the gentle and docile female of the human spirit and Yang is the dominant male. Yin and Yang have to maintain their states at all times in order for the union or marriage to be a peaceful one. As society progressed and women gained more exposure and education a few women writers came forward and expressed their feminist views on the subject through their short stories. These stories have been translated and compiled into a book, “Writing Women in Modern China” released in 2005. In this essay we will compare some short stories from that book with Zhang Ailing’s “When Love came to China” (2006) and examine if modernity in China really succeeded in changing the age-old traditions in the country. We will look at the concept of love based on: 1. Has modernity has succeeded in changing the society’s views on love and marriage. 2. Have the lives of Chinese women changed over the years or does the role of a woman In a marriage still remain the same? Has modernity has succeeded in changing the society’s views on love and marriage? It was customary in twentieth century China for most men and women to get married or betrothed to someone by their early twenties. This marriage of convenience most often resulted in men seeking love outside of their marriages. This is the beginning of Zhang’s story when the already married Wen and Lo court 20-year-old Chou and Fan. Chou is described as the free spirited woman who is nonchalant and does not look for a commitment from her lover Wen and eventually leaves Wen to marry a man chosen by her family. Although Chou is portrayed as a face of the modern woman she appears here more as someone not brave enough to fight against the norms and old customs of the Chinese society. In this case the freedom she tries to exercise by finding love on her own terms is more of an escape from reality and her inevitable fate. We see a similar plight in Fen Yuan Jing’s “Separation” (1923) where the girl is locked up by her mother to separate her from her lover and she awaits the arrival of her betrothed Liu Muhan helplessly and with dread. We however see here that love has a deeper meaning, the girl would rather end her life than allow another man to share her life. Love does not carry any value in the eyes of her family however. Lo is the progressive man who wants to make it right by the woman he loves and decides to divorce his first wife. He chooses love over a loveless marriage but he faces extreme opposition from his family and his wife’s family. Lo’s family and his wife’s family fight the divorce not because they want to save a marriage but more to save face in society. Marriage here is more of an arrangement than a union of love. There is a sense of control rather than love for the family towards their children. We see the same anguish in the “Separation” when the girl feels that “the one who nurtures us also has complete control over our lives” (1923). The family and society still defines love only by its standards. There is an unintentional humorous angle to the story when Lo, hastens to marry again after his first divorce. The divorce and alimony settlement process for Lo’s first marriage takes so long that Fan is unable to wait for him without giving in to her parent’s attempt to match make her with someone else. The alliance does not materialize but Lo is already married to another woman by that time. Although it appears to be just a misunderstanding, it is more indicative of the culture and pressures of society than planning of one’s life. Lo would rather remarry than withdraw his divorce application and be shamed by society. Lo does not choose a single life after his first divorce. The idea of “marriage” is seen as something that will elevate his status in society. Love does not figure anywhere in this aspect. Have the lives of Chinese women changed over the years Or Does the role of a woman in a marriage still remain the same? Lo appears modern when he actually files for divorce twice in his life. Society sees that as a man’s prerogative and does not condemn his eventual polygamy. All they comment is, “just right for a nice game of mah-jong” (Zhang, 2006). In sharp contrast to this is the way society ostracises the wives he has divorced. Lo’s ex-wives remain single with the label of a “divorcee” attached to their names. Their only chance to a respectable life in society is to be married again Lo. Society does not pay any heed to the fact that Lo by that time is already married to Fan. Even when Lo and Fan succeed in their battle with society and finally do get married, the marriage fails because of the traditional patriarchal attitudes. A woman’s place in a marriage is expressed very subtly here. “Her coiffure and clothes were masterpieces of subtle compromise between fashion and memory” (Zhang, 269). Fan loses her individuality and her life begins to revolve around pleasing Lo in every way. Conclusion There is evidence of many young Chinese who have boldly ventured into finding their life partners. Storywriters are known to seek influences from real life and Zhang Ailings short story as well as the compilation of stories by Amy Dooling (2005) gives us a glimpse of how modernity did not succeed in changing the thought process of key players in society. Lo and Fan were modern in their thoughts in seeking love. But it seems more like a temporary revolt against traditions because they exhibited the same old-fashioned behaviour in their marriage to each other. Fan even goes to the extent of openly welcoming Lo’s numerous wives. It shows Lo expectation from his wife and Fan’s submissiveness. We get the sense that love did not come in the true sense to China because Lo and Fan got married out of love yet the same traditions and norms prevented them from living happily with each other. Works Cited Pan Chao. Foremost Woman Scholar of China. Trans. Nancy Lee Swann. New York. pp. 82-90. 1932. Amy Dooling. Writing Women in Modern China: The Revolutionary Years, 1936-1976. Columbia University Press. 2005. Zhang Ailing. Stalemates: A Story set in the Time When Love came to China. Trans. Jessica Tsui Yan Li. Pp. 255 – 273. 2006. Read More