Gender and Culture

I consider gender to be an important aspect of culture and have consciously incorporated some
lectures on gender relations into the course. In particular, this course explores the literary
representation of gender, romance, and sexuality. Topics discussed in class include courtesan
culture; love and perfidy; homosexuality; fox spirits; gender and genre; the cult of talent;
crossdressing and impersonation of the opposite sex; adultery and polygamy. Based on our
readings and discussions, please write an essay to explore how gender figures into late imperial
Chinese short stories and novels? Do the characters we encountered in these stories call into
question or confirm your impressions of gender roles in traditional Chinese society? Why might
male/female characters be depicted in this way? Can we discern similarities and/or differences in
literary representation of gender between historical periods? What might account for some of the
similarities and/or differences?

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