Summary Of The Death Of Woman Wang

After reading through the book The Death of Woman Wang, and holding group discussions on the material found there, I have a somewhat deeper understanding of Chinese culture during the 17th century. I also have more questions than I did prior. The culture is a very complex combination of deep rooted mystical beliefs, great respect for elders, and collectivism. Land is the most valuable physical asset, and honor (for men) or virtue (for women) the most valuable spiritual asset. We see a large emphasis placed on respect for elders in this society. Filial piety consists of respecting and obeying parents, elder relatives, and people in authority (Reach the World, online). “According to Confucius, “Respecting and supporting the family’s senior members and handling their funeral affairs are duties of younger generations, and “caring for the, old and nurturing the young are fundamental family virtues” (carnegie-tsinghua, online). A good example of this can be found in chapter three. Hsi-liu has become a widow and is attempting to raise her
The mystical beliefs of this culture vary widely, but in our reading we see a few of these ideas. The dead have power to act in current physical realities. The dead can be appeased with physical objects of value. And the reality of shapeshifting.
The best example of the first belief mentioned, can be found in the epilogue. “Though she was dead, woman Wang still posed a problem, perhaps more of a problem than she had ever posed in her life” (Spence, 139). The same idea of respect that governed relationships between living members of the community, also applied to the deceased. It was believed that those who had died could influence the lives of the living, for good or for evil (Death Reference, Online). Woman Wang had been murdered, and now dead, was a danger to the community. To placate her, she was buried near her home and in an expensive