The Three Primary Sources Ban Zhao's Analysis

In a patriarchy, male dominates holds primary authority of land and household. Although patriarchy puts male authority over women’s, it did not prohibit the opinions of women. The three Primary Sources, Ban Zhao’s Lessons for Women, the Psalms of the Sisters, and Livy’s History of Rome address the women’s experience of living in a Patriarchy society as well as their behaviors to conform or resist what is expected of them. Each document also address how even the social class of a women can determine the limitations of a woman. In the Primary Source Ban Zhao’s Lessons for Women, Zhao’s writings reinforce patriarchy and Confucianism. Her writing conforms to the standards of the society and allows her to become a product by educating women on
what is expected of them under the society. Zhao’s own belief’s reflects other women’s in. Zhao writes:
“I feared constantly that I might disgrace my parents and that I might multiply difficulties for both the women and men of my husband’s family… I do grieve that you my daughters, just now at the age of marriage, have not learned the proper customs… I fear that by failure in good manners in other families you will humiliate both your ancestors and your clan”. (Pg. 245)
Zhao’s writing explains that women in China endorse that they are supposed to be submissive and yield others before her. Although her writings advocate Confucianism, they also advocate education for women so that they can learn proper obedience. This is part of the limitations that are placed by the society. Women can be educated in order to meant the qualifications of a woman. Meeting these qualifications conform to the Confucius belief but also advocates education that meets the roles of the society. In The primary source the Psalms of the Sisters describes resistance through the personal experiences of women. This documents explains women in India from lower and higher class seeking an alternative to patriarchy. The Daughter of a Poor Brahmin shares the experience of a begging woman that was out casted for not meeting the standards of the society and later welcomed into the homeless life [Buddhism]. Women were not restricted to Buddhist teaching and no longer had to yield to those above them in Patriarchy. Women were able to practice outside ordinary life by subverting patriarchy and joining Buddhism. The Daughter of a Wealthy Treasurer gives evidence that even high class women were transforming into Buddhist nuns. “The sons of kings and merchant princes… all eager for my hand… but had seen th’ enlightened, Chief …then cutting off the glory of my hair, and entered on the homeless way of life” (Pg. 248). Buddhism gave women religious freedom and allowed women to escape from the limitations that patriarchy held against them. In the Primary source Livy’s History of Rome describes women in the higher arcs in protest due to the law that prohibits them from luxury goods.
Although is it argued through debate, there is complexity in weather the women in protest are in violation of the patriarchal laws. Counsel Marcus Porcius Cato is scandalized by women in protest in that women are materialist and do not follow the laws by protesting. However, women in protest are supported by Lucius Valerius to remove the law in belief that women have always stood up for the public good. Cato states, “ They want freedom, nay license… As soon as they begin to be your equals, they will have become your superiors” (pg.250). The idea that women in Rome resist their ways under the laws of Patriarchy comes from the belief of Cato. However, the document also shows that women are conforming to their costumes in Valerius words “ coming forth publicly in a case which concerns them directly… listen to how they have done so- always for the public good” (Pg.250). Women in the higher class saw an opportunity to advocate for themselves to gain some light equivalence to men. The complexity in the document on weather women are conforming to the laws is debated between men. The experience of women is show that their fate is rested upon debate of
men. All three of the primary sources depict women conforming or resisting Confucianism in a patriarchal society. Women in china such as Zhao, conforms and teaches women on what is expected of them. All class women in India seek and alternative to patriarchy as explained in the Palms of sisters. In Rome the limitations of women is discussed over debate and protest by men along side women in the high ranks. Both discussions argue the accounts of women conforming or resisting what is expected of them.