An Analysis of the Status and Roles of Foot Binding Women in Chinese Families from the English Novel Translated into Thai “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan”
Keywords:
Foot Binding, status, roles, Chinese Family, WomenAbstract
This research is a qualitative study that examines the status and roles of women subjected to foot binding, using the theoretical framework of binary opposition between the domestic and public spheres. It aims to analyze the status and roles of Foot binding women in the families of the female protagonists Baihe and Xuehua from the translated Thai version of the English novel Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. Data were collected and analyzed from books, articles, and relevant academic research.
The findings indicate that cultural values and ethical norms surrounding foot binding play a significant role in shaping the identities and societal expectations of the two protagonists. Their roles are categorized into three stages: (1) as daughters, they are expected to obey their parents and remain confined to household duties, without access to education or participation in public life; (2) as wives, they are obligated to serve their husbands’ families and manage domestic responsibilities, with their status largely determined by their ability to bear sons; and (3) as mothers, they are responsible for maintaining the household and raising children, with particular emphasis placed on producing male heirs. This Study highlights that the ethical and cultural perspectives on foot binding are key variables in determining the restricted status and roles of women in traditional Chinese society, as reflected through the experiences of the two main characters.
References
Athitpat, N. (2018). The paradox of freedom in the dream of the red chamber and Mo Yan’s Novels [Doctoral dissertation], Chulalongkorn University. (in Thai)
Bian, H. (2023). The orientation and significance of Confucian gender culture for women. Open Access Library Journal, 10, e393. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1110393. (in Chinese)
Chen X. (2018). Nüshu: From tears to sunshine. https://courier.unesco.org/en/articles/nushu-tears-sunshine. (in Chinese)
Choonuansri, A. (2021). The roles of Chinese Communist Party on the freedom and status of women in the Chinese family system before the cultural revolution (1921-1966). [Master’s Thesis], Thammasat University. (in Thai)
Hongpa. (2022). The foot binding in Chinese women: Beauty or oppression. Arsomsiam-Sinology History and Culture, 235(1), 1-4. (in Thai)
Intharakand, S., & Soontherotoke, S. (2020). Role and status of characters in Bungabatik Novel. Humanities Journal (Graduate School), Ramkhamhaeng University, 9(2), 1-15. (in Thai)
Kaewnet, R., & Khawperk, S. (2018). Analysis of the status and role of women in families through the female characters in Chinese literature, The Plum in the Golden Vase (金瓶梅) Thai edition by Jacob. HOSO Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, Phranakhon Rajabhat University, 2(2), 131-159. (in Thai)
Pan, M. (2018). The image of women with foot binding in novels by Chinese American writers: A case study of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. Journal of PLA University of Foreign Languages, 2018(6), 132-138. (in Chinese)
Phothimaj, K., & Khawperk, S. (2020). A study of the reflection of the arranged marriage, status, and role of women through Chinese folklore “The Butterfly Lovers”
(梁祝) in the Translated Version of Decho Boonchuchuay. HUSO Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, Phranakhon Rajabhat University, 4(2), 27-48. (in Thai)
Prapagorn, P. (2021). The Dream of the Red Chamber: The status reflection and the role of Chinese women in feudal society. ARU Research Journal, 8(1), 98-110. (in Thai)
Qing, S.S. (2018). Intergenerational Transmission of Attitudes toward Gender Role in China. Chinese Journal of Population Science, (6), 80-128. (in Chinese)
See, L. (2006). Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (Kittikowit, W., Trans.). Aroon Printing. (in Thai)
Suphab, S. (2003). Sociology. (23rd ed.). Thaiwattanapanich. (in Thai)
Tian, M.J., & Zhong, H.P. (2014). The construction of female images from the perspective of feminism: An analysis of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. Journal of Liuzhou Teachers College, (5), 12-15. (in Chinese)
Wang, Y.P. (2014). The survival predicament of women in feudal society from the perspective of folk culture in the Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. Journal of Hubei University for Nationalities (Philosophy and Social Sciences), 32(4), 19-20. (in Chinese)
Wongthet, P. (2020). Gender and Culture. (4th ed.). Ruenkaew Printing. (in Thai)
Wu, X.Y., Yadi, S., & Thi Hang, T. (2024). Representations of Chinese women in the feudal system in the translated novel “The hundred celebrated Chinese women”. Chinese Language and Culture Journal, 11(2), 539-361. (in Thai)
Zhao,Y.S., Guo, L., Hao, D.H., Li, B.L., & Zeng, W. (2017). A study of the foot-binding phenomenon of Qing Dynasty females in Shandong Province. Acta Anthropologica Sinica, 36(3), 344-358. (in Chinese)
