“No Name Woman” Feminist Analysis

The title sends a clear understanding of a big theme that will play throughout the excerpt, a woman’s power in Chinese culture. The title, No Name Woman, refers to the authors auntie that executed an act labeled treason in their culture. The fact that she was considered non-existent after her act of treason shows the huge importance of following tradition according to the rules. If someone in chinese culture, especially women, performed an act that would harm the family’s reputation the consequences of it could even turn out deadly. Her aunties husband was sent to America to work, in the meantime, she got pregnant. Everyone knew it wasn’t from her husband so they shut her out of their society. The irony is this scenario could never happen to a man, even if his input was fifty percent in sex, only the woman faces severe criticism.

In both societies, roles of both genders are decided by the elderly men. Women are expected to follow and devote themselves to meet the males needs. Women are made to learn the culture front to back to teach it to her offspring, the male is not entitled to do this. Their culture will judge the woman, if she’s not meeting the expectations it will be noticed, if the man  isn’t then he will be overlooked because they can follow a personally structured different lifestyle. Although they do value women in their society, their own freedom to choose what and what not to get from their culture isn’t something they have much choice of.

In chinese culture, everyone holds a certain role they must play within their family. Mothers are expected to nurture their offspring, provide for her husband, pass on tradition and not do anything considered taboo. Fathers are expected to be the main breadwinner, teach his son the ways of their culture, and in charge of all trade. Grandfathers, usually do not maintain a big role after they’re unable to work. Grandmothers are expected to teach their daughter-in-laws the way of their culture since their sons wives must live with them.