A Daughter Of Han Character Analysis

Jiaqi Han

ANT 3364

2/9/2017

With Mao’s intervention of Communism, the revolution marked an end for all the imperial traditions, shifting the old Chinese cultural values to a new stage. Mao’s establishment of the people’s republic of China carried out in all aspects of the Chinese society, introducing the new ideals for the culture to evolve and to prevail. When the People’s Republic of China was initiated in 1949, a change in gender roles has also taken place in the Chinese society. The book, A Daughter of Han, illustrated the cultural revolution in the late 19th century portraited by the protagonist Ning Lao Tai Tai (Granny Ning), who participate in the drastic culture shift and gives reader an understanding from a person who lives in the

Women were depicted as a figure of weakness in the household through most Chinese families during the time. The classical figure of women is to stay at home to take care of their children, husband, and house work. Men dominated the hard labors. Women are regarded as properties of their husband, many are treated at their husbands’ will unfairly if not protected by their own family. Ning told a story about many of the women who were abused by their opium addicted husbands. One of them committed suicide by drinking opium because she wishes not to live the life she had with her abusive husband (A Daughter of Han, 39). Ning described these incidents as normal daily life that happens everywhere rather than something that is horrific. Feet binding was also the part of the inferior status which were displayed in the culture, Ning illustrated the aspects of feet binding because she also suffered greatly from the act. Feet binding brakes the bone which prevent wives from going outside (A Daughter of Han, 21-23). The process of feet binding is so painful that crawling to places was the only optional way she had during the time of suffering. This type of cultural ritual prevents women from stepping to the outside world, which can also be seen in the social aspect of the

Opium corrupted the country and most importantly the government core. Opium became a national drug where majority of the men are addicted to. Men started to lose the capability to work and think, and became abusive in many situations. Women, who stayed in the household, were less influenced by the recreational drug. From the influence of the after effect of opium in the Chinese society, and modernization advancement brought new ideals into China, women began to earn authorities and recognition in the society. With the traditional ideology, women who escape from their family would receive great disrespect from the general society. However, Ning regarded this act as a great improvement in her life. From how opium has influenced men in many individual households, women began to take the lead to work and to support their family. Women became the head of the household to provide food for their family and shelter for their children. Opium, in my opinion, became the trigger for women’s gradually increasing authority in the Chinese society. They became the work force to replaced men who suffer from opium addictions. Women start gaining authorities at home and are less vulnerable of being abused by their husbands. Many women during the time had very little respect for their husband due the corruption of opium. Like Ning’s husband, Ning had very little respect for her husband. Her husband, due to the