The Spiritual Growth Of Chinese American Women In The Woman Warrior

Chinese American woman writer Maxine Hong Kingston's first book The Woman Warrior (1976) firmly establishes the author's important position in American literature. In the novel, Kingston, through a female perspective, portrays Chinese American women's life experiences and carefully examines their inner world. This thesis studies this novel and attempts to approach Chinese American women's spiritual growth. It has three chapters besides its introduction and conclusion.The introduction presents the topic of the thesis and the theories and methods, Feminism and Postcolonialism, to be used in this thesis. It also provides some necessary background information about Chinese American women's situation in America.Chapter One begins with the unequal treatments of Chinese American women. It discusses that in the patriarchal society where misogynism prevails, Chinese American women have suffered sexist persecution from both her own community and the mainstream American society. Kingston intentionally weakens male characters and borrows the story of the legendary heroine Fa Mu Lan to strengthen the power of women and deconstruct sexism. Chinese American women begin to wake up and resist.Chapter Two covers Chinese American women's racial crisis. Due to their special background, Chinese American women have a complicated feeling towards both China and America, or Chinese culture and the mainstream American culture. On the one hand, they are estranged from Chinese culture because of their misunderstandings with their people; on the other hand, they are excluded and marginalized by the mainstream American culture into which they try as much as they can to enter. Chinese American women are in a dilemma and puzzled by their identity.Chapter Three deals with Chinese American women's regeneration. In the harsh environment, Chinese American women raise their status and win respect through their struggles against sexism and racism. Kingston uses the story of Ts'ai Yen as a model for Chinese American woman in their struggle for survival in a new world. Like Ts'ai Yen, they transcend gender and racial boundaries and achieve their spiritual maturity.The last part of this thesis concludes the process of Chinese American women's spiritual growth. In their struggle against sexism and racism, Chinese American women shake off the spiritual shackles and get a better understanding of themselves.