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Thoughts of a Woman in her Boudoir
Thoughts of a Woman in her Boudoir
[US] Beverly Liu Yun-jun 译
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ISBN
ISBN
9787807684749
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书籍简介
【About the Book】
This book brings to light three important groups of women from the Song and Yuan dynasties: prostitutes, concubines, and chaste widows. Through the roles of men and women, family relationships, and the historical records and discourse of men about them, the book reveals important aspects of social change during the Song and Yuan periods.
Prostitute culture had a profound impact on Song dynasty society and family life, and it was against this backdrop of entertainment culture that Neo-Confucian thought gradually took shape. Debates surrounding prostitutes and concubines were consistently linked to and responsive to broad social consensus. Changes in the meaning of "chastity" and the increasing glorification of female fidelity after the Yuan dynasty were rooted in complex political, social, and moral considerations. Through a rigorous and in-depth examination of Song and Yuan women, this book reveals the central role of gender relations in the social, political, and intellectual life of the Song and Yuan periods.
【Media Reviews】
In this ambitious work, Beverly Bossler unearths and employs diverse and interdisciplinary materials, providing a wealth of information and new perspectives on gender relations and social history during the Song and Yuan dynasties. ... It also sets a new benchmark for the study of gender and class in traditional Chinese society.
—— Richard L. Davis (Chair Professor, Lingnan University, Hong Kong)
The most fundamental contribution of Beverly Bossler’s book lies in its re-evaluation of the role of Neo-Confucianism in promoting wifely virtues and widow chastity. ... She clearly points out that Song dynasty "Daoist Learning" scholars were more interested in chaste women as role models for men than in specifically criticizing remarriage itself. ... It was not until the Yuan dynasty that scholars who claimed to uphold "Daoist Learning" began to specifically emphasize widow chastity itself as the primary model of female fidelity.
In the concluding section, Bossler offers observations on the changing concepts of masculinity based on the historical sources of the male authors she studied. This is an indispensable and important study in Chinese gender history, directing our attention to an entirely new and previously unexplored area of historical sources.
—— Katherine Carlitz (Professor, University of Pittsburgh)
With the keen insight of a historian, Beverly Bossler vividly demonstrates the impact of sociopolitical changes on gender norms, the formation and reshaping of identity, and the social, cultural, and political contexts of textual creation. Drawing on a vast amount of historical data, she guides readers to explore the gradual and crucial turning points over nearly five centuries.
—— Xiaowen Cheng (Associate Professor, Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations, University of Pennsylvania)
【Editor's Recommendations】
- "History is always written by men, and the history of women needs to be salvaged by someone." A groundbreaking work from the field of Song and Yuan women's history.
Beverly Bossler, with a historian's eye, brings three groups of women—prostitutes, concubines, and chaste widows—who have long been hidden behind the scenes of history, into the spotlight. "Guisi" (Inner Thoughts) is a concentrated expression of her academic insight, transforming complex historical materials into a vivid social tableau through rigorous and fluid narration, revealing the intricate interplay of gender and power amidst change.
- "True historical change often occurs in the interstices between the boudoir, the marketplace, and the discourse of ritual." A classic in gender history that reshapes our understanding of Chinese social transformation.
This book not only focuses on the fates of women but also, through the lens of gender relations, reflects the profound political, ideological, and social changes of the Song and Yuan periods. Readers will see, in literati notes, epitaphs, and ritualistic discourse, how entertainment culture shaped family ethics and how moral discourse responded to real-world dilemmas, thereby understanding why women's roles became key indicators of an era's transformation.
- Solid academic foundation and clear argumentative framework provide a reliable guide for in-depth exploration.
The entire book is built upon extensive textual research and case studies, accompanied by detailed annotations and references. Whether it's the analysis of Neo-Confucian concepts or the historical drivers behind the strengthening of chastity notions in the Yuan dynasty, the author provides a clear theoretical framework and chain of evidence, laying a solid foundation for further research for both professional scholars and history enthusiasts.
- Hardcover collectible edition, embodying the quality and warmth of academic publishing.
The book's binding design is elegant and generous, the inner paper is fine and smooth, and the layout is spacious and easy to read. The hardcover craftsmanship and cover design echo the thematic imagery of ancient women, making it suitable for academic collection while also adding an intellectually and aesthetically rich reading experience to the desks of general readers.
This book brings to light three important groups of women from the Song and Yuan dynasties: prostitutes, concubines, and chaste widows. Through the roles of men and women, family relationships, and the historical records and discourse of men about them, the book reveals important aspects of social change during the Song and Yuan periods.
Prostitute culture had a profound impact on Song dynasty society and family life, and it was against this backdrop of entertainment culture that Neo-Confucian thought gradually took shape. Debates surrounding prostitutes and concubines were consistently linked to and responsive to broad social consensus. Changes in the meaning of "chastity" and the increasing glorification of female fidelity after the Yuan dynasty were rooted in complex political, social, and moral considerations. Through a rigorous and in-depth examination of Song and Yuan women, this book reveals the central role of gender relations in the social, political, and intellectual life of the Song and Yuan periods.
【Media Reviews】
In this ambitious work, Beverly Bossler unearths and employs diverse and interdisciplinary materials, providing a wealth of information and new perspectives on gender relations and social history during the Song and Yuan dynasties. ... It also sets a new benchmark for the study of gender and class in traditional Chinese society.
—— Richard L. Davis (Chair Professor, Lingnan University, Hong Kong)
The most fundamental contribution of Beverly Bossler’s book lies in its re-evaluation of the role of Neo-Confucianism in promoting wifely virtues and widow chastity. ... She clearly points out that Song dynasty "Daoist Learning" scholars were more interested in chaste women as role models for men than in specifically criticizing remarriage itself. ... It was not until the Yuan dynasty that scholars who claimed to uphold "Daoist Learning" began to specifically emphasize widow chastity itself as the primary model of female fidelity.
In the concluding section, Bossler offers observations on the changing concepts of masculinity based on the historical sources of the male authors she studied. This is an indispensable and important study in Chinese gender history, directing our attention to an entirely new and previously unexplored area of historical sources.
—— Katherine Carlitz (Professor, University of Pittsburgh)
With the keen insight of a historian, Beverly Bossler vividly demonstrates the impact of sociopolitical changes on gender norms, the formation and reshaping of identity, and the social, cultural, and political contexts of textual creation. Drawing on a vast amount of historical data, she guides readers to explore the gradual and crucial turning points over nearly five centuries.
—— Xiaowen Cheng (Associate Professor, Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations, University of Pennsylvania)
【Editor's Recommendations】
- "History is always written by men, and the history of women needs to be salvaged by someone." A groundbreaking work from the field of Song and Yuan women's history.
Beverly Bossler, with a historian's eye, brings three groups of women—prostitutes, concubines, and chaste widows—who have long been hidden behind the scenes of history, into the spotlight. "Guisi" (Inner Thoughts) is a concentrated expression of her academic insight, transforming complex historical materials into a vivid social tableau through rigorous and fluid narration, revealing the intricate interplay of gender and power amidst change.
- "True historical change often occurs in the interstices between the boudoir, the marketplace, and the discourse of ritual." A classic in gender history that reshapes our understanding of Chinese social transformation.
This book not only focuses on the fates of women but also, through the lens of gender relations, reflects the profound political, ideological, and social changes of the Song and Yuan periods. Readers will see, in literati notes, epitaphs, and ritualistic discourse, how entertainment culture shaped family ethics and how moral discourse responded to real-world dilemmas, thereby understanding why women's roles became key indicators of an era's transformation.
- Solid academic foundation and clear argumentative framework provide a reliable guide for in-depth exploration.
The entire book is built upon extensive textual research and case studies, accompanied by detailed annotations and references. Whether it's the analysis of Neo-Confucian concepts or the historical drivers behind the strengthening of chastity notions in the Yuan dynasty, the author provides a clear theoretical framework and chain of evidence, laying a solid foundation for further research for both professional scholars and history enthusiasts.
- Hardcover collectible edition, embodying the quality and warmth of academic publishing.
The book's binding design is elegant and generous, the inner paper is fine and smooth, and the layout is spacious and easy to read. The hardcover craftsmanship and cover design echo the thematic imagery of ancient women, making it suitable for academic collection while also adding an intellectually and aesthetically rich reading experience to the desks of general readers.
出版日期/Publication Date：
出版社/Publisher：生活书店出版有限公司
出品方/Imprint:Newthink
页数/Page: 533