Zhang Ailing 1920 1995 Zhang Ailing Also known

Zhang Ailing 1920 -1995

Zhang Ailing § § § Also known as Eileen Chang Born in Shanghai Spent early childhood in Beijing and Tianjin Returned to Shanghai in 1929 Lived with her father growing up, but ran away to live with her mother Studied at Hong Kong University until 1942 (when Hong Kong was taken over by Japanese she was returned to Shanghai)

Zhang Ailing § § Published her first novel in Shanghai in 1943 and immediately became popular Married Hu Lancheng, a traitor, in 1944 Got divorced after the victory of the War of Resistance against Japan Moved to the United States in 1955 where she published three novels

Shutdown (1944) § Marriage and divorce “Do you have any idea what it costs to dry-clean a pair of trousers these days? Do you have any idea what it costs to have a pair of trousers made these days? ” l. A woman scolding her husband l Makes it seem like all married couples are unhappy l Men are dominated and unappreciated in their marriages

Shutdown (1944) “Here it comes! His wife doesn’t understand him. It seems that every married man in the world needs understanding from another woman. ” l She has been approached by an unhappy married man before l It is assumed that he feels that way about his wife before he even says anything about it l Married men are looking outside of their marriages for companionship and understanding

Shutdown (1944) q The § role of single women Wu Cuiyuan is a pretty, educated, single woman “He treated her as a woman of the world, as if she were a man, a confidant. He respected her. Cuiyuan always felt that no one in school respected her…” She feels like only men are respected • She is very successful – one of the only women in their twenties to teach college, yet still feels like a failure •

Shutdown (1944) “A woman in love, unlike her usual self, does not talk much. This is because, subconsciously, she knows that a man won’t love her any more if he understands her too well. ” A woman can’t ever let a man truly know the real her § Women are unworthy of love §

Shutdown (1944) q The Dream “She understood now. Everything that had taken place during the shutdown hadn’t happened at all. The whole of Shanghai had fallen asleep and dreamed an absurd dream. ” § She is dreaming about love from a married man, about being proposed to be a concubine for someone

THE END!!!