In 1946, Pearl S. Buck, winner of the Nobel Prize in 1938, published Pavilion of Women, a novel about a Chinese woman who withdraws from married life by ordering a concubine for her husband. The inspiring work deals with Chinese traditions in particular as well as with general questions of individual freedom and existence, possession, love, religion, (female) psychology, gender issues and human interrelations. Although critics tend to complain especially about the story’s sentimentalism, there are, however, many colourful descriptions of Chinese habits and customs, which may not only teach Western readers a great deal about the exotic culture but also about divergent philosophical and psychological issues. This essay is, above all, to concentrate on the extraordinary female protagonist, Madame Wu, the matron of an influential aristocratic Chinese family. At this, focuses on questions like the following: How is the specific woman presented with regard to her (outer) physical appearance and body features, but also concerning her (inner) characteristic attributes, in other words, her mind? In what way are symbols employed to undermine her characteristics? And, how is the character development – from the indifferent rationalist to the woman capable for love – underlined?
Table of Contents
1. An Inconvenient Woman: The Character of Madame Wu
Objectives and Topics
This essay explores the character transformation of Madame Wu, the female protagonist in Pearl S. Buck's novel "Pavilion of Women", analyzing how her physical and inner traits are constructed through symbolism, her changing voice, and her evolving perception of personal freedom and love.
- Analysis of physical appearance and inner personality traits
- Symbolic representation through flowers (orchids vs. lotus) and color (gray)
- Character development from a rationalist to a woman capable of love
- The influence of Western ideas and the quest for individual freedom
- Examination of motherhood and emotional detachment
Excerpt from the Book
An Inconvenient Woman: The Character of Madame Wu
Right from the start Madame Wu’s attractive and delicate appearance is distinctly emphasized. She, a woman who is blessed with both fertile wits and a blemishless body, has got a “calm face”, a “delicate nose”, a “small red mouth”, “shining, straight hair” (which reveals to be a Chinese beau ideal), a “beautiful face” and a “gentle voice” (1). All these features of stereotyped fine beauty appear again and again to stress the woman’s outer perfection, which seems to quasi impinge on her inner self. Due to her faultless appearance, Madame Wu does not know what it is like to envy something – “she had no need to be jealous” (6). Similarly, others do not really affect her, the epitome of an “unapproachable” being (13). Although she really manages everything in the court with ultimate perfection, starting with financial matters through to love affairs of children – and finally also of her husband –, she appears to be emotionally deaf and blind for others.
Summary of Chapters
1. An Inconvenient Woman: The Character of Madame Wu: This chapter introduces the protagonist and establishes the research focus on how Madame Wu’s character is shaped by her physical perfection, rationalist mindset, and the symbolic use of her environment and voice to portray her transformation throughout the novel.
Keywords
Madame Wu, Pearl S. Buck, Pavilion of Women, character development, symbolism, orchids, lotus, motherhood, personal freedom, rationalism, gender roles, Chinese traditions, female psychology, emotional detachment, character transformation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this academic essay?
The essay examines the protagonist Madame Wu in Pearl S. Buck's "Pavilion of Women," specifically analyzing how she evolves from an emotionally detached, rationalist aristocrat into a woman capable of deeper emotions and personal independence.
What are the primary thematic fields covered in this work?
The work covers themes of individual freedom, gender dynamics, the construction of female identity, traditional Chinese versus Western influences, and the psychological impact of social expectations.
What is the main research question of this study?
The study investigates how Madame Wu is presented through her physical features and inner traits, how symbols are employed to reflect her character, and how her personality shifts throughout the narrative.
Which scientific methods are employed in this analysis?
The essay utilizes literary analysis, specifically focusing on symbolism, metaphoric interpretation of cultural imagery (such as flora and color), and psychological perspectives on character identity.
What does the main body of the text address?
The main body details the protagonist's "perfect" but cold exterior, her reliance on rationalism, the symbolic significance of her favorite flower (the orchid), and her ultimate character change following her interaction with the Western priest, André.
Which keywords characterize this publication?
Key terms include Madame Wu, character development, symbolism, orchid, lotus, motherhood, and personal freedom.
How does the author interpret the symbol of the "gray orchid"?
The author interprets the gray orchid as a reflection of Madame Wu's rational existence and her desire for equilibrium and justice, while simultaneously highlighting her loneliness and emotional neutrality.
What role does the Western priest, André, play in Madame Wu's development?
André serves as a catalyst for Madame Wu's intellectual and emotional expansion, helping her realize that her former rational view of love and life was limited and enabling her transition toward a more empathetic existence.
- Quote paper
- Sabine Buchholz (Author), 2006, An inconvenient woman - The character of Madame Wu from 'Pavilion of Women' by Pearl S. Buck, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/82635
