Monday, August 19, 2019
Adeline Yen Mahs Falling Leaves Essay -- Mah Falling Leaves Gender
Adeline Yen Mah's "Falling Leaves" Works Cited Missing à à à à à For years, the world has been oblivious to the painful, degrading traditions toward women that take place behind the ââ¬Å"Bamboo Curtainâ⬠of China. Falling Leaves , by Adeline Yen Mah, unveils the darker side of Chinese culture through her eyes as an unwanted Chinese daughter. Shocking mistreatment, of not only the author, but also the females in her extended family keep suspense alive throughout the book. My heart sobs at each account of Adelineââ¬â¢s tortured life, but through it all, there was a flicker of her spirit that could not be put out. à à à à à In China, girls are seen as a possession or a ââ¬Å"cheap commodityâ⬠(Yen Mah 100). Sons, especially the eldest, are given far more attention and praise. Families that are well off keep their daughters and marry them off to prominent familiesââ¬â¢ sons through a marriage broker (ââ¬Å"mei-poâ⬠). Rich daughters often had their feet bound, a process by which the ââ¬Å"four lateral toes of the foot are forced with a bandage under the sole so that only the big toe protruded. (It was) tightened daily for a number of years (so as to) permanently arrest the footââ¬â¢s growth in order to achieve tiny feet so prized by Chinese menâ⬠(Yen Mah 11). Their inability to walk with ease is a symbol of submissiveness, weakness, and wealth. This tradition is becoming more rare, but still many older women bear its pain today. Adelineââ¬â¢s grandmother went against these traditions by not torturing her own daughter i...
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