Reading the classics of Asian Literature I come to understand that the majority of women in ancient China lived oppressed lives. Even women with high education and from imperial family did not escape the oppression; however life for these well educated women was slightly easier than for the large population of poor women. They had to understand their place in society which was a “private space, of the domestic household, largely separated from the public realms within which males operated.” (B 22)
Since early childhood females were considered inferior to men. Men parents had more preference to “teach their boys to read books and study histories” (B28) and forget about their daughters. Also women could not remarry because a husband is considered as heaven therefore “a wife cannot [her husband]” by doing so she will be leaving heaven. The rules of a woman were very extreme for example “when she goes outside her own home, let her not be conspicuous in dress and manner. When at home let her not neglect her dress” (B30) also woman were not allowed to gather as a group to discuses about their lives.
Marriage in ancient China might have been arranged by their father. Since a woman’s thoughts and opinions were not considered important they could not complain about the father’s orders to marry a man that in some cases they never met before. Once married, a girl would live with her husband’s family and she is required to obey all the members of his family. If a wife wants to gain the love of her husband “she must win for herself the love of her parents-in-law. To win for herself the love of her parents-in-law, she must secure for herself the good will of younger brothers and sisters-in-law” (B31) only then she will have harmony in her life. Woman in early China were “frail things and [could not] do as [they] wish. (B267)
So may years have gone since the sufferings of the women in China and one would think that these is something of the pass. However, on November, 8, 2010 an NY Times article states that in some places of the world women are still considered inferior to men. And the only way to escape from this prison is by setting themselves in fire. There is nothing they can do because “The Choices for Afghan women are extraordinary restricted: Their family is their fate. There is little chance for education, little choice about whom a woman marries, no choice at all about her role in her own house. Her primary job is to server her husband’s family”. (NY Times) They can not run away from home because these women are afraid of being rape and put in jail. And when these runaways women return home they are used as “honor killings” (NY Times). Oppression for Afghan’s women is mainly from her in-laws. In one case in particular a 17 years old who had suffered years of abuse from her in-laws burn herself because her father-in law believed that “she was not brave enough to do so”.
