Summary Chapters 1-2
The first 2 chapters basically give us a somewhat foundation for the story. It talks of the main character's, Ailin's, childhood and gives us an introduction into Chinese tradition and their outlook on women at the the time. Ailin is raised in a time period where women in China are supposed to be modest, quiet and basically serene. This is displayed as Ailin's "amah" and grandmother frown upon her childlike, rambunctious personality.
As we get into the story we realize that Ailin is up for an arranged marriage, but what is hindering her is that her feet have yet to be bound. All the women in Ailin's family (and if you are of upper class) have had their feet bound. From just these two chapters it is possible to understand the ultimate situation in the story, Ailin refuses to have her feet bound.
Her older sister shows Ailin her bound feet and we soon learn how painful the "womanly" duty is. They smell awful and resemble folded pieces of bread, as The author describes. It is also why the women are slower, modest and try to remain still. When it is Ailin's turn, she runs away, but then returns home where her sister is being reprimanded for showing her her bound feet. That's where this section concluded.
In addition, we learn that western culture is being introduced as well. Ailin's dad has different views on foot binding, arranged marriages and such traditional ideas. Also we see how children (boys) are being schooled by foreigners; traditionally they are home-schooled.
Overall we are able to see the importances in culture, social class and gender roles in the first few chapters.
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As we get into the story we realize that Ailin is up for an arranged marriage, but what is hindering her is that her feet have yet to be bound. All the women in Ailin's family (and if you are of upper class) have had their feet bound. From just these two chapters it is possible to understand the ultimate situation in the story, Ailin refuses to have her feet bound.
Her older sister shows Ailin her bound feet and we soon learn how painful the "womanly" duty is. They smell awful and resemble folded pieces of bread, as The author describes. It is also why the women are slower, modest and try to remain still. When it is Ailin's turn, she runs away, but then returns home where her sister is being reprimanded for showing her her bound feet. That's where this section concluded.
In addition, we learn that western culture is being introduced as well. Ailin's dad has different views on foot binding, arranged marriages and such traditional ideas. Also we see how children (boys) are being schooled by foreigners; traditionally they are home-schooled.
Overall we are able to see the importances in culture, social class and gender roles in the first few chapters.
You always hear about arranged marriages all across the world. Mostly the topic for discussion is dowry or some form of payment being exchanged between the bride and groom's family. This is the first time I have ever heard of the groom's family have requirements for the bride such as bound feet. The fact that this is a painful long process makes me question the rights of women. A woman already has to give up the only family she knows to live with her groom's family and now she has to give up her bodily freedom to satisfy generation old customs as well. This is just an example of the social inequalities in ancient Chinese upper class society. No decision in who your going to marry and pressured to get bound feet, I don't blame Ailin for being so apprehensive and rebellious.
ReplyDeleteWith what we have been taught all of our lives, gender inequalities shouldn't surprise us anymore, but I am still taken aback at just how extreme they were. I know this book isn't the worst case scenario of oppression, but how big of an issue it was that Ailin's feet weren't bound, and her family's desire for her to be uneducated still just makes me angry. I am still amazed at how they acted, even though I know, and I have learned before, that women were treated this way. I am very glad that she fought it and added to the revolution that changed the world. She was just one little Chinese girl, but she ended up one educated, unbound Chinese woman, which was a much bigger deal.
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