Ideal Women for Who? A Comparative Study on Women in Traditional China and in Victorian Era

Abstract

Although Gu Hongming is regarded as a master of western culture, he strongly supports traditional culture. And his ideas about Chinese women are surprisingly reminiscent of women in Victorian era. The author attempts to compare traditional Chinese women with those in Victorian period in terms of family life and marriage customs through close reading and literature review. Traditional Chinese women are similar to Victorian women as they preside over the home and assume domestic duties, which reflects that woman alike lived in a patriarchal society. Nevertheless, Chinese women and Victorian women differ in their roles in marriage customs. By making a comparison between traditional Chinese women and those in Victorian era, the readers can understand that women’s difficulties are deep-rooted and women today still need to fight hard towards equal rights.