A Study On Image Of Old Women In Pre-Qin And Han Dynasty Literature

This dissertation researched the literary image of the old woman in prehistoric legend, three generations and Qin-Han dynasties period. Based on the old women concept in various periods and the ancient Chinese traditional culture, a detailed classification research has been proposed under the dual perspective: "old age" and "female". From the perspective of the eastern and western cultural contrast, the image of old women in ancient literary was excavated deeply from cultural connotation. These old women image showed the historical, cultural and practical value, and put forward the beneficial exploration for western literary criticism theory localization.Making a comprehensive view, there are several parts in the dissertation.1. INTRODUCTION. The intention and the significance of the dissertation were discussed and defined the main research object - "old woman" from the physical, psychological, and social perspectives.2. MAIN TEXT. It include eight chapters, research the literary image of old women from the following three main parts in the Qin-Han dynasties.First, based on the different social and cultural background in various times, the different concept for old women have been held exploratory summary. These concepts are foundation of the literary image for old women, as well as are indispensable cultural context and theoretical perspective. Three generations ago, we call it ancient times. In this time, the old woman concepts are deeply affected by the matriarchal clan system. Female, especially the mothers and the status of the elderly (adult) women in all aspects of social life are considerable attention and reflected in the form of prehistoric religion, the later myths and legends. The overall characteristics of these times are that the old women is respected and even worshiped. From the beginning of Xia dynasty, China is entering the paternal clan society. To the Han Dynasty it become into a paternal patriarchal society.Therefore, from the Qin dynasty to the Han dynasty, old women and other women, have been experienced a gradual loss of social status, and been oppressed process. However, in Zhou dynasty, China had the culture of filial piety named "good parents", the old women situation and people's views are of special. The Scholars theory of the Spring and Autumn era is the source and essence of the traditional Chinese culture. So from the three main source of China's cultural- Confucianism, Taoism and Legalists thinking, we can see the whole image of old women in three generations, Qin and Han dynasties and even future generations. Confucianism represents the mainstream thinking of paternal patriarchal rule, in the view of "patriarchal" and "respect for the old", it formed some views that general attempt to belittle, but given the relative respect for the old women. Taoism is more inherited the legacy form matriarchal society, for women, particularly the old women giving a higher evaluation, the female character becoming a Taoist metaphor. Legalists theories produced in the era of economic development, it was utilitarian. And the old women lost the ability to create value, so legalists theories viewed the female using a negative attitude.Second, according to the old woman characteristics in the literature, the type analysis has been proposed.Queen Mother is the largest number old women literary works in Pre-Qin and Han Dynasties. In my typical legal system society, the Queen Mother had a higher political status. When facing to the political power, they can show their ability, or under the protection of the power, they lived in the emotional derailment and life lascivious status, or comply with the women legislative, they can be a great mother. But all the Queen Mothers were lived in the men society, they can not escape the men shackles from their political, life, feelings.Except the imperial old woman, there were many noble old women and other old women, they were the successful example as a good wife and a good mother mostly. They not only had to live in strict compliance with all aspects of the feudal ethics thinking, but also transmit these thinking to the future generations. China's traditional thinking has the feudal ethics, but there is also a good part, many old women has outstanding traditional thinking and becoming the gentlemanly old women.There only a few of civilians literature image of old women were recorded. They although had a smaller number, but with the strongest authenticity. The contradictions between mother and wife, abandoned in old age by their children, as well as the lives of many troubles, these built up the old women's image. Because the author did not attach importance to the civilian population, these old women's were more closed to real lives, they provided a useful text support for us.At the last, from the contrast of eastern cultural and western cultural, mainly to China's traditional culture, Western culture is the supplement, the old women image has been researched, and compared the difference in the two cultures. Any country and the nation's culture all has its unique soil. The old women have a different life experience and self-identity in east and west, and only based on China's unique traditional culture, a more objective evaluation can be made, and Western and Western theory giving us a self-reflection theoretical basis.CONCLUSION. Putting up a reflection for old women image from the image modeling and the practical significance. The old women image in literary works is not real life, they are more or less a writers'product, particularly in the men society, the old women image are looked from the vision of men. In addition, the Pre-Qin and Han Dynasties have passed thousands of years, but as the source of Chinese culture, the old women problems at that time also can use as the reference for today's female culture and old women questions.