Chinese literature, women representation, patriarchal structures, cultural control, gender-based violence, Confucianism, Yang Guifei, Daji
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Abstract
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Abstract
Wang Yan Li's article examines the representation of women in Chinese literature and culture, highlighting the patriarchal constructions that have led to their stigmatization.
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[...] Daji: A Study of the Historical Figure and Her Cultural Impact. [Editor to be added according to the edition consulted. 8. Yuan Mei. (Qing Dynasty). Zhang Lihua: A Biographical Study of a Historical Figure. [Editor to be added according to the edition consulted. 9. Zhang, L. (2010). Gender and Power in Chinese Literature: From Ancient Times to the Contemporary Era. [...]
[...] Wang argues that this stigmatization of women has social as well as literary consequences. She demonstrates that the term 'plague' is used to reinforce the idea that women are responsible for misfortunes and disasters, and that this image has been perpetuated through the ages in various narratives and literary works. To support her argument, she cites passages from classical works and shows how these stories have contributed to the creation of a negative image of women. Wang also mentions the philosophical origins of this perception, noting that thinkers such asConfucius » (have often described women as inferior beings, whose virtue lies primarily in their ability to serve men. [...]
[...] This insightful quote highlights that fundamental relationships such as those between men and women give birth to the family, which is the pillar and foundation of social and political order. Furthermore, this passage emphasizes that the creation of hierarchy, law, and cultural rites originates mainly from these essential structures, reflecting how cultural norms and practices are rooted in distant beliefs and conceptions. Thus, the restrictive practices governing women, although they may seem specific and related to certain cultures, find their origin entirely in a broader logic and field of social organization and regulation. This aspect of the analysis highlights the sociocultural ramifications of these beliefs. [...]
[...] Main Thesis Wang Yan li defends the thesis that the representation of women as « plague » in literature is the result of a complex dynamic between fear and desire, reinforced by deeply rooted patriarchal structures in Chinese culture (Wang, 2005). To demonstrate this, the author explores several axes, including the origin of the term, masculine attitudes, and the resulting literary representations. Through a detailed analysis of texts and historical contexts, he illustrates how this perception of women has repercussions on their social status and representation in literature. This duality in the perception of women is particularly important. [...]
[...] This tendency to demonize women in times of crisis not only reinforces gender stereotypes but also suggests an inability to recognize the complexities of social and political situations. Wang notes that this dynamic is particularly visible in literature, where female characters are often portrayed as instigators of chaos, thereby deflecting responsibility from men. Wang also addresses the issue of gender-based violence, highlighting that literary accounts can often justify or downplay the violence perpetrated against women. By portraying women as 'scapegoats', society can rationalize their mistreatment and exclusion, thereby reinforcing the cycle of violence and discrimination. [...]
