The concept of “women” in Chinese Literature in Modern China 1912-present.

Abstract

This research aimed to study and compared the concepts of Chinese women in understanding the way of life of daughters, mothers, and wives which reflected in Chinese literatures that were; “Red Sorghum” and “the Good Women of China.” The researcher collected the Chinese literature that was translated into Thai and divided the data collection by 2 eras; Republic of China (1912 – 1989 AD) and People’s Republic of China (2002 AD – till present). The “Red Sorghum” represented the concepts of Chinese women of the Republic of China era which was the end of the Qing Dynasty, the country was governed using the feudalism. “The Good Women of China” represented the concepts of Chinese women of the People’s Republic of China, this period the country was appealed and supported the equality of men and women. For analyzed this study, the researcher used Berlo’s 3 roles; 1) Role Prescriptions, 2) Role Descriptions, and 3) Role Expectations.

          The results showed that the “Red Sorghum” and “The Good Women of China” reflected the concepts of Chinese women in the 3 roles. Being a “daughter”, the women of China was to respect and to help in everything their parent demands.  Being a “mother”, the women of China were to put effort to raise a good child and to protect her child from danger. Being a “wife”, the women of China were to care for their husbands, to protect her family, and to tolerant of negative treatment from their husbands. The Chinese women who denied or disobey the tradition will be blamed as a bad woman.