Yung asks herself “What sociohistorical forces were at play that can explain social change for Chinese American women in the first half of the twentieth century?” (Yung, 5) The book tells of their oppression in America through prostitution, gender roles, anti-Chinese immigration laws, and class discrimination. Also, she examines the rise of Christianity, the YWCA, The New Life Association, Chinese women’s role in the war, and support within Chinese communities in America. Yung states “the groundwork laid by our foremothers for a better life at home, in the workplace and in the larger society has not been lost on today’s generation of Chinese American women (Yung, 292). The title “Unbound Feet” is a perfect representation of Yung’s research on immigration and settling in The States. It represents the bound feet that Chinese women of high class had when arriving in America, to “ensure that women did not ‘wander’ too far outside the household gate” (Yung, 19).
While he suggests how to kindly treat one race of women, he emphasizes on how to womanize another. The culture associated with “How to date a browngirl, blackgirl, whitegirl, or halfie”, believes that women will act accordingly, and should be treated based on their own culture and race. In “Girl” by J.Kincaid and “How to date a browngirl, blackgirl, whitegirl or halfie” by J.Diaz both authors describe how culture influences the outlooks, and stereotypes on women. The expectations of females seen in “Girl” revolves around a strict set of cultural rules for women. Through oral transitions the girl’s mother spreads the beliefs of their culture.
Confucianism favored the foundation of government, and eventually became the central belief of the chinese government. This impacted society because people had to respect officials, especially their
It reminds me of Diary of Anne Frank. 5.) I think this book is like an Autobiography and an eye-witness book as well. I think that because Anchee witnessed this with her eyes, everything that has happened in her life. I think it’s also an autobiography because it’s mainly about her life, and what she has gone through growing up in China during that period.
Although during the classical era there was a small break in the dynastic cycle it came back with the rise of the Tang dynasty, which was the dynasty that came to power after the three hundred years of chaos. Although there was much political pandemonium throughout China, the people still clung to the ideas and values that had existed in Chinese history for hundreds of years. For example, the teachings of Confucius continued to be taught and accepted. Confucianism is sometimes viewed as a philosophy and sometimes viewed as a way of life which was taught by Confucius in China between six hundred B.C. and five hundred B.C., Confucianism has been adhered to by the Chinese for more then two millennia now.
It was her virtue that defined whether she was to be esteemed or denounced. Women were expected to embody, “chastity, courage, tenacity, and unquestioning acceptance of the prevailing hierarchy- unto death if necessary.”(p.100) This literally meant that suicide was a desirable recourse in order to protect the woman’s virtue or that of her husband’s. A woman’s loyalty to her husband was paramount. A story is told of a young girl who’s betrothed was slandered so her family arranged another marriage, but instead of allowing herself to be married to another man, she hung herself in order to stay true to her rightful husband. This demonstration of loyalty was deemed worthy and right, instilling a complete dependence of a wife on her husband.
Since Empress Wu lived during that period of time, she was well educated at home. Like most other rich and noble people of her time, she was taught to play music, write, and read the Chinese classics. During her childhood she traveled widely with her parents and thus developed a cultured and knowledgeable personality. Empress Wu started out as a low-ranking concubine of the emperor of the Tang court, T’ai Tsung. She was well known for her beauty, wit, and intelligence, and so that was why she was recruited to the Tang court at an early age of 13.
She is able to understand the reason that why the students making a protest because she also a student. She feels she has a little bit of connection to China and especially with the students. She realises that she starts to become a Chinese and belong to this large worlds
Miri Song’s study on British Chinese found that Chinese parents were very influential in reinforcing Chinese values by positively sanctioning children who choose to help out in the family business. These children were seen as more ‘Chinese’ as they adopted the Chinese cultural characteristics of family solidarity and collective loyalty. Another way in which ethnic identities are created and reinforced is through the secondary agent of socialisation, religion. Religion can also be considered as a primary agent of socialisation as many ethnic cultures are heavily influenced by religion; these beliefs are passed down through the family from generation to generation. Charlotte Butler in her 1995 study of Muslim girls found that their religion was central to creating their ethnic identity.
In many ancient Chinese artworks, women are often depicted as weak, home-oriented and obedient individuals. As in several other ancient civilizations such as Egyptian and Mesopotamian, women in China remained submissive to man. Starting from the mid- Zhou dynasty in 1000 B.C.E. until the Sui dynasty in 600 C.E., Chinese civilization evolved under the heavy influence of the patriarchal view of pre- and neo-Confucianism. Due to physical disparity, occupation difference, and the gaining popularity of Confucian beliefs, Women in this time period were subjected to the hostility of men and suffered from the declining influence of their social status.