The Reading Review of the Chapter2

香山亭

Reader:
谢嗣婷

Reading Time:
第三周

Reading Task:
Chapter2

Summary of the Content:
This chapter primarily revolves around the theme of "the moral ideals of Chinese women and their relationship with the family."
Gu argued that the core qualities of traditional Chinese women were "serene poise" and "gentleness", traits deeply rooted in Confucian ethical demands for female moral cultivation, such as the "Three Obediences and Four Virtues". He proposed that Chinese women, through their inherent "selflessness" and "devotion", became the moral pillars of both family and society.  
He emphasized that the "chastity" of Chinese women is not oppressive, but a kind of adherent to self-dignity. This moral force makes them play the role of "virtuous wife and mother" in the family and maintain social harmony.
Furthermore, Gu contrasted the relationship between women and the family in Chinese and Western societies. He asserted that the value of traditional Chinese women was manifested in their "devotion to the family", criticizing Western feminism’s emphasis on "gender equality" as a neglect of women’s "unique value". In his view, Chinese culture instead respected women’s "inner strength", rooted in Confucian moral traditions.  
Additionally, Gu Hongming sought to defend the traditional Chinese practice of polygamy, arguing that it was not a "barbaric system" as perceived by Westerners, but rather a system grounded in "responsibility" and "order". He emphasized that the "sacrificial spirit" of Chinese women, including concubines, was pivotal to maintaining familial stability, and such sacrifice was regarded as a "sacred obligation".  

Evaluation:
Gu Hongming’s writing exhibits a strong “cultural apologetics” tone. By contrasting Chinese and Western civilizations, he refutes Western critiques of traditional Chinese gender roles (e.g., the claim that women were “oppressed”), seeking to reassert the moral superiority of Chinese civilization through Confucian ethics. For instance, he repeatedly emphasizes the “spirit of sacrifice” and “inner strength” of Chinese women, positioning these qualities in opposition to what he dismisses as the “superficial equality” promoted by Western feminism. His language is laden with critiques of Western modernity, framing it as morally inferior to China’s spiritually grounded traditions.  
Gu frequently invokes Confucian classics (e.g., The Book of Songs, The Book of Rites) and traditional moral codes such as the “Three Obediences and Four Virtues” to lend historical authority to his arguments. These references not only bolster his persuasive power but also reflect his idealized reconstruction of traditional values. For example, he romanticizes the concubinage system as an embodiment of “responsibility and order”, deliberately downplaying the structural inequalities inherent in its power dynamics.  
However, his arguments remain deeply constrained by ideological limitations. His perspective entirely disregards individual rights for women, binding their value exclusively to familial devotion while ignoring personal autonomy and freedoms. This stance fundamentally reinforces the Confucian patriarchal system, particularly evident in his defense of polygamy, which starkly conflicts with modern notions of gender equality. While his discourse aims to legitimize traditional Confucian values and carve out a space for Chinese civilization within Western-centric narratives, it risks overly romanticizing or oversimplifying historical realities, thereby obscuring the lived experiences of women under rigid hierarchical norms.  

Reflection：
Positive Inspiration: Gu Hongming took Confucian ethics as the core and emphasized the contribution of the moral strength of Chinese women (such as "selflessness" and "dedication") to the survival of Chinese civilization. This perspective reminds us that traditional culture does not only contain dross. Many values, such as a sense of family responsibility and the spirit of sacrifice, also embody positive significance for social stability. In the era of globalization, we need to avoid blindly negating our own cultural traditions. Instead, we should, through critical inheritance, find the points of convergence with modern society. For example, the concept of "family harmony" can still serve as a resource to alleviate the sense of loneliness of modern individuals.
Warning and Criticism: Gu Hongming's glorification of the "three obediences and four virtues" and "polygamy" reveals the structural inequality of gender power in traditional culture. This reminds us that when promoting traditional culture, we must combine it with the criticism of the feudal patriarchal system to avoid justifying oppression in the name of "cultural uniqueness". In addition, it also reminds us to be cautious when praising the "spirit of sacrifice". Sacrifice should be a voluntary choice, rather than an obligation imposed by the system.