Heroines of Jiangyong: Chinese Narrative Ballads in Women's Script

Description

Heroines of Jiangyong is the first English translation of a set of verse narratives recorded in the unique women's script (nushu) of rural Jiangyong County, Hunan, in southern China. This selection of Chinese folk literature provides a rare window into the everyday life of rural daughters, wives, and mothers, as they transmit valuable lessons about surviving in a patriarchal society that is often harsh and unforgiving. Featuring strong female protagonists, the ballads deal with moral issues, dangers women face outside the family home, and the difficulties of childbirth. The women's script, which represents units of sound in the local Chinese dialect, was discovered by scholars in the late twentieth century, creating a stir in China and abroad. This volume offers a full translation of all the longer ballads in women's script, providing an exceptional opportunity to observe which specific narratives appealed to rural women in traditional China. The translations are preceded by a brief introduction to women's script and its scholarship, and a discussion of each of the twelve selections. Contents Acknowledgments Introduction: Women’s Script Part I: Moral Tracts 1. Admonitions for My Daughter 2. The Ten Months of Pregnancy 3. The Family Heirloom 4. The Lazy Wife Part II: Narrative Ballads 5. The Tale of Third Sister 6. The Daughter of the Xiao Family 7. Lady Luo 8. The Maiden Meng Jiang 9. The Flower Seller 10. The Demonic Carp 11. The Karmic Affinity of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai 12. Fifth Daughter Wang Notes Chinese Character Glossary Bibliography