AH MAH Shirley Geok-lin LimObjectives :Categorize the good and bad customs and traditions of China and other countriesDiscuss the patriarchal culture of ChinaDevelop comprehension and critical thinking

LEGENDS OF FOOTBINDING

HISTORY

AH MAHGrandmother was smallerthan me at eight. Had she been child forever ?

Helpless, hopeless, chin sharpas a knuckle, fan facehardly half opened, not a scrap

of fat anywhere : she totteredin black silk, leaning onhandmaids, on two tortured

fins. At sixty, his sons all married,grandfather bought her,Soochow flower song girl.

Every bone in her feethad been broken, bound tighterthan any neighbors sweet

daughters.Ten toes and instepcurled inwards, yellow petalsof chrysanthemum, wrapped

in gold cloth. He bought the youngface, small knobby breastshe swore hed not dress in sarong

of maternity. Each nighthe held her feet in his palms,like lotus in the tight

hollows of celestial lakes. in his calloused flesh, her weightless soles, cool and slack

clenched in his strangers fever.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONSThe poet provides a physical description of her grandmother as well as clues to her personality and emotional life. How are all these elements similar ?

2. What aspects of the poem suggest the cultural milieu of the couple ? What tone does the poet seem to adopt in describing this milieu ? Which words suggest it and why ?

3. What is grandmothers relationship to the world she lives in and to her husband in particular ?

LITERARY ELEMENTSSpeaker of the poemThemeMoodImagesStanza formMusical devices / figures of speechSymbols

POEM ANALYSISSEE TEXT

CONNECTIONSWhat can you say about the patriarchal culture in China ? Other countries ?What do theorists say about this practice on women in the social context ?

GROUP ACTIVITY - LOTTERY ( Quiz)Discuss one of the following by group of four members in 15 min. Submit written output before the class ends on a one whole sheet of yellow paper.Plenary : One representative will share on behalf of his / her group.

Topics : Different Structures That Define Patriarchy ( Sylvia Walby )The state :Women are unlikely to have formed power and representation.The household : Women are more likely to do house work and raise children.Violence : Women are more prone to being abused.Paid work : Women are likely to be paid less.Sexuality :Womens sexuality is more likely to be treated negatively.Culture : Women are more misrepresented in media and in popular culture.

Assignment : What is Shi Ching or Shi Jing ? Narrate how this Book of Songs was realized.What are the noted themes of this collection of songs ? Define a spinster. Give related words to this and explain their meanings.How do single women face the spinsters stigma? Read some articles on this.Read the poem Song from Shi Jing and be able to discuss it in class.

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