This is in part due to the aforementioned emphasis on Confucian ideas displayed in the examination; as a result, the examination helped to facilitate a rapid spread of the Confucian classics to a much broader scope than before. Although a great deal of the upper class already had an idea of the Confucian classics, a great deal of the lower class had not been taught in the writings of Confucius before. With the addition of the Civil Service Exam, many more people were required to not only learn, but memorize the Confucian classics. This is evident in the story of Xu Tang from The Examination System, who was required to take the examination “more than twenty times” before eventually passing. This without a doubt raised the importance of Confucian writings and helped to spread these ideas throughout China. Another impact that the Civil Service Exam had on Imperial Chinese culture, unfortunately, was the criticism of females. Given that females were not allowed to take the Examinations, it was said that “if a girl [was born] everyone was dejected.” Families often hoped for a boy, even going through extreme rituals such as avoiding certain foods and keeping perfect posture in hopes that this would increase the chances of having a male child. For this reason, females were often on the receiving end of great disrespect, and many parents viewed them as an added expense rather than a contribution to the family due to the rules of the Civil Service Examination. This exam had a great influence on Imperial Chinese culture, whether it be due to its influence on the spread of Confucianism or the unfortunate disapproval of female
This is in part due to the aforementioned emphasis on Confucian ideas displayed in the examination; as a result, the examination helped to facilitate a rapid spread of the Confucian classics to a much broader scope than before. Although a great deal of the upper class already had an idea of the Confucian classics, a great deal of the lower class had not been taught in the writings of Confucius before. With the addition of the Civil Service Exam, many more people were required to not only learn, but memorize the Confucian classics. This is evident in the story of Xu Tang from The Examination System, who was required to take the examination “more than twenty times” before eventually passing. This without a doubt raised the importance of Confucian writings and helped to spread these ideas throughout China. Another impact that the Civil Service Exam had on Imperial Chinese culture, unfortunately, was the criticism of females. Given that females were not allowed to take the Examinations, it was said that “if a girl [was born] everyone was dejected.” Families often hoped for a boy, even going through extreme rituals such as avoiding certain foods and keeping perfect posture in hopes that this would increase the chances of having a male child. For this reason, females were often on the receiving end of great disrespect, and many parents viewed them as an added expense rather than a contribution to the family due to the rules of the Civil Service Examination. This exam had a great influence on Imperial Chinese culture, whether it be due to its influence on the spread of Confucianism or the unfortunate disapproval of female