I think this short story written by Lu Xun in 1924 was very eye opening towards the topics of obedience, freedom, and respect. As a Chinese woman myself, I can see lots of similarities in traditions and stories told to me while I was growing up. My mom has brought on the subject of marriage and the traditions she specifically wants me to take part in. Thankfully, my parents and relatives are not as traditional as XiangLin’s Wife’s mother in law, uncle, and neighbors.

While reading New Year’s Sacrifice, I felt so bad for XiangLin’s Wife. She did not even have a name- just referred to as the wife of Xiang Lin. I found it extremely wrong that she was forced to remarry after the death of her first husband. While I understand at that time it a woman did not really have a place in society to be a bread winner and was not supposed to look after herself. I think at least some of XiangLin’s Wife’s feelings should have been considered. In addition to that, XiangLin’s Wife was doing very well for herself after her first husband died. She had finally gained respect from the people in her society and they acknowledged her hard work and contributions. I think it was rude for the town to humiliate and disconnect her from the rest of them just because she was a widow (after her second marriage). She was also kept away from preparing and performing ancestral sacrifices because the town said her presence would make the sacrifices “unclean and the ancestors would not accept them” (Xun 182). That is a lot of burden and (wronglyfully placed) accusations placed on to a widow!

I think it is inappropriate to label someone as “unlucky” and “unloyal” just because their husband and son died. It should not be the widow having to take any of the blame because it was simply not her fault. It wasn’t as if she even wanted to remarry in the first place. XiangLin’s Wife had tried to “bashed her head on a corner of the altar” to kill herself when she was getting married off again for the second time (Xun 179).

I am so glad I was not in this time period and extremely glad Lu Xun shed light on this ridiculous tradition and view on the women of society.