Chang (97) notes that during the economic depression of the 1940s, women and young girls served as commodities in the flourishing trade in human trafficking and barter trade (“Daughter for sale for 10 kilos of rice”). Prostitution was also another role of women out of one’s own decision, the family’s decision, or through force.

On the other hand, concubines satisfied the sexual pleasures of men besides having their children given away to barren wives. And as Chang (70) notes, the cultural stipulations dictated that the role of a wife entailed: “looking after a household, cooking and sewing, flower arrangement, embroidery, and to obey without questions”. Furthermore, wives did not have authority over their lives because their husbands’ decisions were ultimate In the Chinese society, the only possible roles of women included being wives, concubines, or prostitutes. The ultimate goal of this custom was to ensure that the length of women’s feet was 3 inches for one to be eligible for marriage (Chang 24).Īnother important aspect of women oppression is captured in the kind of relationships that women shared with men in the pre-communist China. Subsequently, the bending of the big toe together with the heel caused the rotting of flesh, breaking of bones, and toes breaking off. Here, it is imperative to note that foot binding was a custom that was introduced in China in the 11 th Century whereby by age three, a girl would have all her toes except one tucked under her sole. The first aspect of oppression as highlighted by the author is foot-binding in that at the beginning of the story we meet Chang’s grandmother (Yu-fang) who hand bound feet. Oppression against women in the pre-communist era is captured in different aspects in Chang’s book. Additionally, the paper explores the successes and failures of Mao before looking at the weaknesses of Chang’s work. The main theme in Jung Chang’s book is Cultural Revolution in China.Īccordingly, this summary describes how the oppression leveled against women in the pre-communist era occasioned the Cultural Revolution and the role of Mao Tse-tung and his Communist Party in the revolution.

‘Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China’ explores the history of three generations of Chinese females from the pre-communist era through communism until after the death of the communist leader, Mao Tse-tang.

Wild swans three daughters of china