Clues to Marriage in Ancient China

A Qing Dynasty wedding. The two parents are seated. The bride is wearing the blue hat, presenting tea to the mother. The groom usually wears a cross forming an "X" in front of him. Sometimes the "X" includes a giant bow or flower, though not in this picture,

Ban Zhao’s “Lessons for a Woman” Why would she give this kind of advice to her daughters? What evidence do you find in her essay to support your answers?

From reading Ban Zhao’s advice for women, what do you think she sees as the purpose of marriage?

What is the one issue on which Ban Zhao disagrees with her culture’s traditional expectations for women?

“Woman” by Fu Hsüan What view of marriage does this poem give?

Comparing the two writings How are the two writings similar? How are they different?

Which of the two do you think are more contented in life – Ban Zhao or the character in Fu Hsüan’s poem? Give evidence from the writings to support your answer(s).

Why, in your opinion, do these two sources present somewhat different views on the male-dominated society and marriage structures of the Han period?

Would it change your opinion of the poem “Woman” if you knew that Fu Hsüan (the author) was male? “Woman” by Fu Hsüan The author was, in fact, a man. Does that affect your response to the poem in any way?