In the story, we are told again and again that women are weak and worthless. But were they really? In what ways did Lily and Snow Flower show their strength and value?
This will be out last questions regarding the novel Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. If you haven't already done so, please read my previous post regarding our next book club pick and then submit your vote in the poll on the sidebar. You have until Thursday, September 7th at noon to vote.
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7 comments:
I think they were constantly told that they were worthless and weak to show them "their place". Meaning, men are more important. However, it's obvious that they were valuable - for example, if they had a son. Not only that but it seemed that the women were the ones that took care of the ageing parents so again that shows some value to the family. And, they were also used to make alliances if a marriage was made with a powerful family.
I never got the impressions that the women were considered weak, but definitely worthless. The women were so strong to endure the bindings, the hardships of disease and governmental disputes. They weren't worthless either. Although they were viewed as this way, the women actually could change the entire way a family lived by who they married and how well their bindings came out. They also were influential behind the scenes through their husbands.
Chau said...
I thought it was incredibly defiant of Lily to continue to keep in contact with and see Snow Flower at festivials despite her mother-in-law's disapproval.
Snow Flower was also subversive in her own way. As a child she was always a dreamer, even when reality was imposed on girls at such a young age. As an adult, she remained true to herself and her beliefs. She continually challenged Lily to be truthful and to accept her for who she was. In the end, she had the strength to surround herself with sworn sisters who became her support group when Lily could not.
They were strong women--as they endured their footbinding, and were faithful to their friendships (in sending messages to one another). The sheer weight of what they had to endure as wives and mothers made them strong.
The author did give out little signs as to how the women and girls were valued and loved, even though conventional wisdom said that that sentiment could never be acknowledged in public. Beautiful Moon's father's grief was a pretty touching example of that.
I think the women were incredibly strong both mentally and physically. The physical pain of the foot binding must have been excrutiating, both for the girls enduring it and for the mothers and aunties inflicting it.
Despite their expected roles and place, the women were able to find a way to continue to flourish mentally through their friendships.
Ultimately the daughters did have a big impact on the life of their natal family based on what type of family they married into.
Cari
Ok, footbinding not for the weak, but ironically it made them weak for many years and possibly their whole life. And producing a son, taking care of the family and upholding all those customs? Certainly not worthless. The sad part, is weak and worthless seems to be how they were seen in those days.
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