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The Death of Woman Wang
192 pages, 1998
An award-winning author paints a picture of an obscure place and time: provincial China in the seventeenth century. Life in the northeastern county of T’an-ch’eng emerges here as an endless cycle of floods, plagues, crop failures, banditry, and heavy taxation. Against this tumultuous background a tenacious tax collector, an irascible farmer, and an unhappy wife act out a poignant drama at whose climax the wife, having run away from her husband, returns to him, only to die at his hands. Magnificently evoking the China of long ago and deepening our understanding of China today is Jonathan D. Spence's The Death of Woman Wang.
The Death of Woman Wang by Jonathan D. Spence offers a deep look into the history of China, specifically the T'an-ch'eng county in the late 17th century. It's a great way to explore the social and cultural aspects of that era.
The book gives us a glimpse into the life of women in rural China during the 17th century. It shows the hardships and struggles they faced, and how their roles were largely defined by societal norms and expectations.
Spence uses a mix of historical records and local stories to paint a vivid picture of life in T'an-ch'eng. This approach shows how storytelling can be a powerful tool in understanding history and culture.
The book also provides an insight into the Chinese legal system of the time. It shows how the law was often used to control and oppress the weak, particularly women.
The Death of Woman Wang also highlights the devastating impact of natural disasters on rural communities. It shows how floods and famines not only caused physical destruction, but also led to social and economic upheaval.
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