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In this insightful passage from "No Name Woman," Maxine Hong Kingston explores the intricacies of old-world China, vividly depicting a repressive and meticulously ordered society where private lives are a luxury. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of a community where every action is dedicated to the well-being of the family or village. Kingston introduces her aunt as a symbol of the most egregious transgression, where private desires clash with societal norms, endangering the very fabric of the village. Through innovative stylistic techniques, Kingston captures the essence of Chinese life's "circle" or "roundness," exploring the challenges faced by both the village and No Name Woman.
The village in which Kingston's aunt resides operates under stringent rules dictating the conduct of its inhabitants.
Kingston emphasizes, "If my aunt had betrayed the family at the time of large grain yields and peace... perhaps she might have escaped such severe punishment" (11-14). The village's response to transgressions depends on the state of its prosperity.
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In times of stability, deviations from societal norms might be overlooked, while during adversity, the consequences become severe. This underscores the arbitrary nature of justice, where adherence to the village's concept of "roundness" is paramount.
Kingston sheds light on the unfair rules governing the village. When conditions are favorable, the community tends to overlook violations of its "roundness" principles. However, in times of hardship, blame is assigned to individuals for the village's misfortunes. Kingston notes, "People who refused fatalism... insisted on culpability. Deny accidents and wrest fault from the stars" (33-36).
The villagers, driven by ego and a desire to deflect responsibility, readily point fingers at others for any perceived wrongdoing.
The entire existence of the village revolves around the concept of "roundness." Kingston employs symbolism to elucidate the significance of "roundness" for the village: "The frightened villagers... went to my aunt to show her a personal, physical representation of the break she made in the 'roundness'" (4-7). In the villagers' eyes, "roundness" symbolizes the universe, unity, and the cycle of life that sustains the community.
Kingston skillfully uses imagery to depict the village's commitment to "roundness." Describing round moon cakes, doorways, tables, windows, and rice bowls, she writes, "these talismans had lost their power to warn this family of the law." (21-26). The emphasis on round shapes underscores the village's deep-seated belief that "roundness" is not just a physical representation but the very essence of their communal life and universe.
Kingston portrays her aunt's pregnancy without marriage as a direct challenge to the village's "roundness." The villagers perceived her actions as a disruption, with Kingston revealing their sentiments, "The villagers were speeding up the circling of events because she was too short-sighted to see that her infidelity had already harmed the village" (27-29). The disruption caused by No Name Woman's actions was considered a direct assault on the village's harmonious existence.
The villagers, feeling that No Name Woman had intentionally disrupted their "roundness," sought to eliminate her. Kingston illustrates this sentiment: "Awaken her to the inexorable" (33). The punishment meted out was designed to make her realize the gravity of her actions and the chaos she had unleashed upon the village. The villagers, staunchly adhering to their belief system, aimed to restore their disrupted universe by removing the perceived source of the problem.
No Name Woman, a villager whose actions were deemed a threat to the "roundness" of Chinese life, faced severe consequences. The villagers, resolute in their adherence to societal norms, viewed her as the cause of their woes and sought to eliminate her. This tragic tale underscores the village's unwavering commitment to the concept of "roundness" and its determination to maintain a harmonious existence. Kingston's narrative serves as a poignant exploration of the clash between individual desires and communal order in a society governed by strict principles.
Disruption of Roundness in Maxine Hong Kingston's "No Name Woman". (2017, Jan 10). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/no-name-woman-by-maxine-hong-kingston-essay
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