StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

What was womens roles and their place in society during the Tang Period in China The Emperors Pearl, by Robert Gulik - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
Gender roles and identity continues to change in various time frames, specifically which becomes dependent on the definitions and roles in society and culture. When looking at specific time frames, there is a relationship that is created to gender roles and the identity which is carried…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER98.7% of users find it useful
What was womens roles and their place in society during the Tang Period in China The Emperors Pearl, by Robert Gulik
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "What was womens roles and their place in society during the Tang Period in China The Emperors Pearl, by Robert Gulik"

?Gender roles and identity continues to change in various time frames, specifically which becomes dependent on the definitions and roles in society and culture. When looking at specific time frames, there is a relationship that is created to gender roles and the identity which is carried. In “The Emperor’s Pearl,” by Robert Gulik, there is an understanding of gender identity and how this marginalizes women in society. The role of women is one which ranges from subordination to men to worship of women because of the religious associations. The dichotomy of gender roles then becomes a part of the Tang Dynasty and the way in which women were looked at during the time frame. The concepts which are portrayed in the book show how women in society were looked at through the patriarchal format of culture, specifically with their roles in society. However, this was followed with the Confucius thoughts that began to alter the beliefs and thoughts of gender to create the dichotomy of the book. The role of women and gender roles was one which was regarded through the traditions and expectations in the book. The traditions are required to be observed, specifically which is noted with men who take care of business and meet together while women remain in the background, as maids or absent from the book. Characters such as Kou show this with their approaches to tradition and the placement of women. “A pleased smile crossed Kou’s handsome, vivacious face. He said: ‘I take part in the races mainly to see to it that the old traditions are faithfully observed” (Gulik, 14). This approach is one that creates a sense of identity and placement within society. For women, this tradition is one which causes women to be suppressed in the role of men. This was common for the Tang Dynasty, specifically which unified the past dynasties into the new offices and expectations of society. The expectations for women were to hold to a specific social class and high culture, which created the main divisions in gender and the expectations of women in society (Ebrey, 121). The traditions which followed are furthered with the understanding that there is a sense of beauty that is carried by women. This is a part of the dichotomy of the Tang Dynasty, first because of the feminist ideology of women having a subordinate position to men. However, there is also a sense of strength that the women carry with beauty and which is noted with the sports and activities that the women are a part of. When looking at the roles of women in the Tang Dynasty, it becomes linked to sports and activities, such as wrestling, that is created through the dynasty. For instance, when Kau is talking about the women wrestlers, there is a combination with the strength of the women with the feminine ideal. The woman who describes the wrestlers shows the strength of those that were invited to royalty; however, she also states that the women are “modest” (Gulik, 91) with the clothing which was worn. The dichotomy comes with the wrestlers being thrown out for being indecent, specifically by the standards of beauty from the women. This dichotomy shows both sides of feminism that was in the court at the time and how this was approached by others in society. The role of women and gender roles was furthered with the changes which occurred outside of the main tradition of the time. This created the main dichotomy that mixed into the ideologies of the time. The role of women and gender roles changed specifically because of the traditions which were juxtaposed with the Empress that formed the Tang Dynasty. This gave women a specialized role in the culture, specifically which was based on social status. This was combined with the Buddhist and Confucious roles, which continued with the traditions of gender roles and the responsibility which both had to caring for others in society. This alternative set of gender roles led to the Tang Period holding women in high regard while keeping social status within a patriarchal system (Ebrey, 130). The regard which was shown to women in the Tang Dynasty is noted with the attitudes of men toward individual’s which held a higher social status. The character of Kou shows this by pointing out the role of women who held an education and which were able to provide insight into specific situations. For instance, when speaking about the woman who was killed, he shows an affinity to the place which she held in society and with the personal relationship which they had. He states, “She was a remarkable woman, sir. She had an uncanny talent for judging antiques and, especially, precious stones. She always assisted me in my antiquarian studies, she was such a charming companion” (Gulik, 44). This quote shows that the role of women wasn’t only based on the suppression which came from a patriarchal society. Instead, women which held a higher status in society and which were educated through the Tang Dynasty had a special placement and role with men in society. The gender role then held a dichotomy with those who were in society, specifically by having a high status in specific situations while carrying a different status with a lower social status. The social status of women that changed according to situation was also noted with the role of women in terms of Confucianism and philosophies which were in society. Despite the patriarchal society, the Confucius thought system held a different viewpoint about women and their role in society. The idea of women as a part of the divine was a part of the philosophies, specifically which protected and helped women in different roles. The philosophy was based on the yin and yang that balanced a person and their role in society. This followed with not being afraid, as the balance between the two became important to those who were moving into a specific status in society. This belief disregarded different roles in gender status and led both to having unique features based on the yin and yang, or opposites, within society (Ivanhoe, Norden, 238). In the viewpoint of Kau, this continues with women having a specific relationship to the Buddhist philosophies and beliefs in society. When approaching the haunted house, gender role becomes a consideration, not for suppression, but instead for the ability for women to have a specific philosophy to ghosts. “Moreover, being a woman, she had no need to be afraid, really. The White Goddess stands for the mysterious, creative force of fertile nature, she is considered the guardian of womanhood. Therefore, only young men were sacrificed to her, never women or girls” (Gulik, 48). This statement is one that shows the philosophy of the Tang Dynasty and the regard for women in specific gender roles that overcame the suppression of the patriarchal society through the Buddhist philosophies. The concept of gender role in the Tang Dynasty is one which was defined by the cultural and social affiliations as well as the changing traditions and philosophies which were in society. The influences that were a part of society were consistent with the changing politics and the emergence of the past dynasties with the present situation. This was combined with the patriarchal society that grew into the region and which developed a different approach to the role of women during the time. When looking at “The Emperor’s Pearl,” it is noted that there is a tradition in the Tang Dynasty that shows reverence to women as well as a change into the patriarchal society that created a sense of suppression of women in society. The dichotomy which is created in this book shows how the gender roles began to change into a different set of norms within the culture and in terms of philosophies that were followed in society. Works Cited Ebrey, Patricia. The Cambridge Illustrated History of China. Cambridge University Press: UK, 2010. Gulik, Robert. The Emperor’s Pearl. University of Chicago Press: Chicago, 2008. Ivanhoe, PJ, William Norden. Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy. Hackett Publishing: New York, 2005. Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“What was womens roles and their place in society during the Tang Essay”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/gender-sexual-studies/1436867-what-was-womens-roles-and-their-place-in-society-during-the-tang-period-in-china-the-emperors-pearl-by-robert-gulik
(What Was Womens Roles and Their Place in Society During the Tang Essay)
https://studentshare.org/gender-sexual-studies/1436867-what-was-womens-roles-and-their-place-in-society-during-the-tang-period-in-china-the-emperors-pearl-by-robert-gulik.
“What Was Womens Roles and Their Place in Society During the Tang Essay”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/gender-sexual-studies/1436867-what-was-womens-roles-and-their-place-in-society-during-the-tang-period-in-china-the-emperors-pearl-by-robert-gulik.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF What was womens roles and their place in society during the Tang Period in China The Emperors Pearl, by Robert Gulik

Society in China

The author's dire experience in matters concerning China, and the experiences that were involved in, during the Cultural Revolution, expounded on the chance to expound the vast knowledge concerning gender dynamics.... during the same period, Mao's personality cult grew to immense proportions.... Selections from oral histories collected during the period illustrate his attempts to mobilize the lowest in society, the female peasant, so she could confront “feudal” fathers, husbands, or property owners....
9 Pages (2250 words) Research Paper

A Critical Analysis of Wu Zetian as an Example of Womens Political Empowerment

According to the Chinese royal linage, Wu Zetian belongs to the tang dynasty.... Despite these successes along with the innovations in governance during her reign, scholars primarily put emphasis on her political prowess as a woman who could outwit a large number of Chinese emperors in terms of political success.... She is well-known as the first female ruler who ruled china from 690 AD to 705 AD, as Fairbank says, “china's only woman ruler, Empress Wu was a remarkably skilled and able politician, but her murderous and illicit methods of maintaining power gave her a bad reputation among male bureaucrats” (82)....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay

Emperor Qinshihuang

Just as today, illegitimate children in china are frowned upon a bit in the social hierarchy, so this likely contributed to some of the negative criticism aimed at the First Emperor.... This was likely necessitated by the fact, however, that he had to struggle to keep the country unified during this initial stage of China being governed by an Emperor, particularly during the first part of his reign.... This dominate and charismatic leader, however, was able to accomplish a great deal during the 35 years he held onto the position of emperor....
10 Pages (2500 words) Essay

Historical Significance of the Relationship Concerning Emperor Xuanzong, a Lushan, and Yang Guifei

uling for forty-three years, which was the longest during the tang dynasty.... hellip; Wu lung-chi was the seventh emperor of tang dynasty in china reigning from (712-756).... As is detailed above, the Rebellion was in no way strained along tribal lines, with both sides deeply associated with foreign control in china.... This was clear beginning of the tang Dynasty's decline (Skaff 223).... The An Shi Rebellion (755-763) was a whirling end in the tang Dynasty's recognition of foreigners....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

Rise of Qin in China

hellip; The importance of this period is that it the Qin Dynasty opened a new period of Imperial China which lasted till 1912. The Qin Dynasty rose during the Warning States period and became one of the most powerful dynasties in china.... The Qin dynasty marked a new period in history of China but the essential components of Qin's new regime were created in the centuries prior to 221, while other vital elements of an imperial state were crafted only in the Han or still later....
12 Pages (3000 words) Essay

The History of Ancient Chinese Dynasties

The rulers of Zhou dynasty believed that they got their power to rule from heaven (robert, 1999).... hellip; The capital of this dynasty was situated at Anyang not far from Henan and it ruled parts of northern and central china.... This was also the time when china entered the Iron Age that had a great influence on the people living and also it helped to enhance state power.... So Zhou became the ruling dynasty (1066 - 256 BC) and that was the period of extension of the Chinese civilization....
5 Pages (1250 words) Term Paper

Role of Confucian Scholars and Tang Dynasty

How rulers of the tang Dynasty were able to create a strong centralized government and work towards unifying the political and cultural divisions between its people and were able to maintain excellent administrative efficiency in the entire country on the strength of classical… The people during the reign of Tang Dynasty (618 AD-907 AD) were basically sound and industrious and basic conditions were created by the rulers for the people to enable them to become basically sound and industrious....
8 Pages (2000 words) Research Paper

Women's Roles and Their Place in Society in The Emperors Pearl by Robert Gulik

… The paper "Women's roles and their place in society in The Emperor's Pearl by Robert Gulik" is an amazing example of an essay on gender and sexual studies.... In “The Emperor's Pearl,” by robert gulik, there is an understanding of gender identity and how this marginalizes women in society.... This alternative set of gender roles led to the tang period holding women in high regard while keeping social status within a patriarchal system (Ebrey, 130)....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us