Sacrifice By Lu Xun And Love In A Fallen City By Eileen Chang

This study analyzes two stories outlined in the two books; New Year’s Sacrifice by Lu Xun and Love in a Fallen City by Eileen Chang. The two stories describe experiences of two women who go through different experiences that define their future. They suffer the adverse effects of traditional Chinese customs and practices though one has a happy ending while the other suffers to the very end. Though they lived in different cities and at various time, it is evident how society built prejudices against gender roles, and the different ways that women tried to fight against the unfavorable beliefs, practices, and customs.
The New Year`s Sacrifice tells the story of Xianglin’s wife, who had been employed as a housekeeper at home in Luchen village after her first husband died. The ruthless mother-in-law abducts her and forcefully marries her off to a poor peasant. The second husband dies before two years of marriage followed by demise of her son who is eaten by wolves. These events make her unclean, and villagers see her as an
ill omen. She is treated with contempt by family and friends who ban her from taking part in the New Year Sacrifice. She ends up miserable, tormented, lonely and as a beggar on the streets.
The fact is clear that the New Year Sacrifice is a holiday, but not for all. For example, Xianglin’s wife is banned to participate in the common spiritual practice. Instead of observing yellow flames and fireworks, this poor woman is destined to die from lack of communication and of the lack of care by others. When the Uncle is providing a Sacrifice rite, there is a hope by the way, that it would bring hope for changes for better, for cleansing of bad deeds committed by society. It is and interesting detail that Xianglin’s wife is even not called by name in this literary work, for it is a mark of her escapism from social restriction – even her relatives deny her, never calling by name.
Love in a Fallen City, on the other hand, is focused on Liusu who is a divorcee before a widow. After she has just lost her husband, the in-laws treat her with contempt as they see her as a shameful divorced and penniless daughter in law. They want to marry her off to let her live with her parents. As Liusu contemplates these choices, she meets Liuyuan, who had studied in Britain and a ladies man. They are united by a friend, and though their future is uncertain, they decide to stay together. However, it is during the turbulent period of Japanese invasion in Hong Kong that they build a real emotional relationship. Thereafter, they finally get happily married.
They are both a good couple united by love and friendship.
Liusu is attracted to traditional clothing, - she wears embroidered slippers and can stay at home; however, she hates commands when it concerns eating – “time to eat”. She is an independent woman who has faith and hope for the better. Being decisive and responsible, once, when dancing with her beloved one Liuyuan, she discusses love, life, lie in interpersonal relationships. For example, the couple hopes that even after the Judgment Day, the wall will remain where they can still stand strong, supporting each other. When discussing women beauty, Liusu and Liuyan agree that Chinese women are traditional and modern at the same time. They have been trying to meet standards, on the one hand, but still they can respect Western values as well. When compared to the New Year’s Sacrifice, it turns clear that Xianglin’s wife is weak, oppressed, - she is in despair and has no faith for the better
future.
This research study analyzes the two books by pointing out the major themes expressed in each and later compares the two stories using the main characters. The major themes are the following: gender roles in Chinese society; prejudices against women; traditions and customs of the Chinese society. These themes are highlighted in the context of major social and political changes caused by confrontation with other states and nations. This work examines the similarities and differences between the two stories and. The stories can be compared in the major direction of providing parallels between roles of women in the Chinese society. This may show how prejudices can influence on people and change their life style radically. Practically, oppression was caused by misunderstanding the gender roles in the society. Fro instance, women were forcefully married, their labor was used at no cost, and their in-law families treated them negatively. The fact is that Chinese women did not participate in family and social communities proves that their social roles were minimized dramatically.

Introduction
The analysis is provided in a way of summarizing two stories highlighting critical areas that give a clear overview of the cultural setting and beliefs of the society within the set period of time through the lens of experiences of the main characters. The struggles faced by the two women are to be outlined, and the major themes are to be described. Moreover, the relationship that the main characters had with family and other members of the society will be discussed in order to give an overview of their contribution to the fate of the characters. After the narration, a further comparison will be done between the two texts to determine the similarities and differences between these two stories. The study will be designed to analyze the Chinese traditional way of life and personality characteristics of the Chinese people within this historical period. Consequently, based on the different findings of the two stories, a conclusion will be drawn based on the elements discussed in the analysis.