Interracial Marriage in China - Essay Example

"Could he live anywhere, with a Chinese wife Brand her Brand his own manhood Brand the flesh of his unborn children!" (Louise Jordan Miln, In a Shantung Garden, 1924). Introduction The above statement is taken from In a Shantung Garden (1924), a novel addressing an interracial relationship. Written in the early twentieth century, when attitudes were generally both classis and racist, the book tells the story of a 'mixed marriage', and the problems that were faced within this "delicate and debatable"1 choice. Through a close study of the given statement, we will be focusing on three different areas; first a consideration to the actual text will be given, then we will consider the historical setting and the common views of this period, and finally, we will address the book's literary context. The paper will then conclude by discussing the significance of race within this period. Branding Intimacy Branding, which is the word used within this text to describe the ultimate affects of any such a union, originated as the act of using an extremely hot implement to mark the flesh of humans and livestock. The practice of branding, including that of physically marking human beings, began long before recorded history. Although originally intended to mark ownership in cattle, it was also used as a form of punishment, and employed to distinguish criminals, slaves, and prisoners of war. In Western civilization, branding was banned as a form of punishment in the late 1800s.2 Historically, having a brand was a symbol or mark of identification and ownership - it labeled the person, significating what they were, rather than who they were; criminal, slave, and so forth, and the fact of being branded considered a sign of public shame and personal humiliation. Of course, this marking, including its accompanying reputation, remained with a person for the rest of their life. The use of this word in the above statement, therefore, gives a very clear indication of the attitudes among the general population of the early 20th century towards the idea of interracial marriages. Not only were these types of relationships negatively viewed, but they were also considered as being both shameful and humiliating. Consequently, Tom Frew, his Chinese wife, and their unborn children, would have all been branded with this public mark of shame, of derision, and of exclusion in certain quarters. Early Twentieth Century Worldviews "It has been justly remarked that a nation's civilization may be estimated by the rank which females hold in society. If the civilization of China be judged of by this test, she is surely far from occupying that first place which she so strongly claims" (Chinese Repository, vol. 2, 1833, p. 313). Although this quote is earlier than the period that this essay is addressing, existing worldviews during the earlier twentieth century were based on similar principles, and were rooted within this theory. Within the 1920s, Chinese women were generally seen throughout the Western world, as demonstrated through the above quote, as representative objects of an inferior, underdeveloped society. Almost despised, considered second-rate, this very common worldview, meant that Tom Frew and his Chinese family would face severe discrimatory attitudes and practices where ever they chose to live. "Could he live anywhere, with a Chinese wife" the statement demands. Only, it would seem, with the greatest of difficulties. America, in the early twentieth century, was very suspicious of the Chinese, especially in relation to the influx of immigration. Chinatowns had sprung up throughout many of the major cities - the result of the clash of two distinctively different cultures - and although living in the same city, there was little attempt at integration by either the Chinese or American people. Each community kept within its cultural boundaries, holding onto its group identity, and ensuring the continuation of this through imposing restrictive laws that, for example, forbid interracial marriages.3 Literature, both attacking and defending China, her culture, and her people, were published and widely read among the middle and upper classes. The Boxer Rebellion, which was still a recent event in many people's minds, continued to shape and influence negative attitudes, with newspapers often reflecting anti-Chinese editorials that were both racist and discrimatory. And attitudes among America's working class were even worse; regarding the Chinese as the "yellow peril", their behavior towards them both patronizing and arrogant, as they accused Chinese emigrants of flooding the labor market and stealing employment opportunities.4 Throughout the early twentieth century these sorts of sentiments were "at screaming pitch", in both America and the United Kingdom, with people accusing and believing that the Chinese were threatening "destroy western culture with their strange oriental ways." Therefore, trying to live within American culture within this ambiance of racial tension, "with a Chinese wife", would have been tremendously difficult. 5 Much of the reasoning behind this type of thought was due to the popularity of Scientific Racism, which was a relatively new theory based on a diverse number of now discredited disciplines that provided a typology between the different human races. This idea, which was based on a biological conception of the race, situated Caucasians at the top of the evolutional ladder, and, unsurprisingly, reflected the then current views relating to colonialism, slavery, and the belief in the superiority of the white skinned person.6 The result of this belief, which on reflection was a rather natural conclusion, led its inherants to resist any attempt at integration. Safety measures, which were an endeavor to defend cultural identity and the 'master race', were introduced, and mainstream literature, of which one of the most famous is Lothrop Stoddard's, 'The Rising Tide of Colour Against White World Supremacy' (1920),7 published a stream of books, journals, and articles that reflected this worldview. Reflecting On Literature Popular novels have always been used to transmit opposing or conflicting ideas, opinions, and theories, from those of the general worldview of any given epoch. The medium of artistic expression, throughout all of its diverse disciplines, has long been recognized as a powerful vehicle that is often influential in challenging mankind's preconceived opinion's, which has often led to social, political, and religious change. In a Shantung Garden, 1924, was written in an era that was filled with racial hatred, bigoted attitudes, and unproven theories. Those who were physically, culturally, and religious different, were often feared through misunderstanding, and the belief of the superiority of the white skinned race was paramount within Western society. Writing into this situation, although this book obviously reflects these views, it also considers portrays that despite general attitudes, couples from different racial backgrounds were still forming. Faced with this 'problem', society is forced to reconsider its view, especially as the so-called problem is not going to disappear, and, therefore, some of the corresponding issues are addressed in the book. However, the author still remained generally faithful to popular belief that 'mixed marriages' were a risk, with definite price to pay, and, therefore, to be strictly avoided. Conclusion Literature throughout the colonial period reflected common opinions and worldviews concerning all ethnic groups, which was that the white person' belief in their own superiority, and that they must protect the 'master race'. Although some writers did challenge these beliefs, to a greater or lesser extent, the majority remained faithful to their cultural beliefs and expectations. To marry a Chinese woman would ensure that you, your wife, and your half-caste brats would be branded by the mark of society that reduces you to the social level of slaves, prisoners, and criminals. Forever condemned in society, you are forced to suffer continued discrimination, be viewed as an outcast, and suffer social exclusion. The warnings are crystal clear; enter into such an unwise situation, litter the world with half-caste brats, and you will pay the price. This reflection clearly, I believe, portrays a clear image of race relations between the Chinese and Americans in the early twentieth century. Read More