In Chinese society, the role of women was degraded by Confucius, as he believed men were superior to women. In 106 C.E., Ban Zhao (45—116 C.E.), a remarkable woman born into an elite family and living during the times of the Eastern Han Dynasty, wrote out the ways in which women should act in her most famous piece, Lessons for Women. Married at the age of fourteen, and being a mother to many children, she became a widow very early in her marriage. Ban Zhao never remarried since that was against Chinese tradition and abided by the rules of her society. Working as a court historian and adviser to the widow of the emperor, she wrote Lessons for Women to apply the principles of Confucianism to the lives of women.
Becoming China’s greatest and …show more content…
She lists purposes of marriages and makes it known that men and women are equal and the same outcome should occur if either a wife or a husband is unworthy: “If a husband be unworthy, then he possesses nothing by which to control his wife. If a wife be unworthy, then she possesses nothing with which to server her husband”. It is clear that Zhao believe in equality between men and which, which many people did not believe in during these times. She also argues that boys and girls should receive equal education at the same age, and also believes that women should be educated, but not in a way that reveals their cleverness. Zhao believes that being educated plays vital role in life and should be equally dispersed. She makes it known to her readers the importance of men and women being viewed as equals, especially when it comes to education as she states: “Yet only to teach men and not to teach women—is that not ignoring the essential relation between them?...Only why should it not be that girls’ education as well as boys’ be according to this principle?” Zhao believes that the correct relationship between husband and wife is based upon harmony and intimacy. She also believes that when or if arguments occur in their marriage, a husband is not beat his wife and neither are to use harsh language towards each other. Once again, this creates balance between men and
Becoming China’s greatest and …show more content…
She lists purposes of marriages and makes it known that men and women are equal and the same outcome should occur if either a wife or a husband is unworthy: “If a husband be unworthy, then he possesses nothing by which to control his wife. If a wife be unworthy, then she possesses nothing with which to server her husband”. It is clear that Zhao believe in equality between men and which, which many people did not believe in during these times. She also argues that boys and girls should receive equal education at the same age, and also believes that women should be educated, but not in a way that reveals their cleverness. Zhao believes that being educated plays vital role in life and should be equally dispersed. She makes it known to her readers the importance of men and women being viewed as equals, especially when it comes to education as she states: “Yet only to teach men and not to teach women—is that not ignoring the essential relation between them?...Only why should it not be that girls’ education as well as boys’ be according to this principle?” Zhao believes that the correct relationship between husband and wife is based upon harmony and intimacy. She also believes that when or if arguments occur in their marriage, a husband is not beat his wife and neither are to use harsh language towards each other. Once again, this creates balance between men and