This book lacks strong women as important characters?

[angelanikkicea]

I think Lady Sougyon is a strong character. However, during that time, she really was just considering her family's feelings even if she strongly wanted a divorce. She is a strong mom who raised Embon by herself. However, yes, I wish there were more strong female characters in the novel that will be emphasized on.

[Sou Hi]

I don't see why there is a need for women with important roles here. After all, this is a historical novel with Asian and feudalism motifs. Besides, I think Lady Sougyon is special enough, as she is the only one with the first-person POV. Mitzuko and Insoon also have significant roles. Despite people's mindset, Mitzuko stated that she didn't mind Embon's background, and she even dared to approach him first. Insoon dared to show her emotions and lash at her mother-in-law, an action which girls back then never dream to do.

[Mvictoria]

I can think of a few strong women in the novel. For example, Lady Sougyon, daughter of Prince Aansoon, raises her son all by herself, has extended knowledge in various domains, engages in a conversation with the king on different topics, saves her son's life when he falls sick with tuberculosis and comes home more dead than alive, etc. Although only briefly mentioned, Queen Min has a strong personality and becomes fully engaged in politics. Mrs. Seoh is another interesting female character as she has big ambitions for her daughters. There are other hints at the unsung women who followed their partners to another land and supported their independence fight.

You bring up some really interesting points! I had not even thought about some of the women you mention, but I also believe they were strong for their time. Even though she doesn't work outside the house, Mrs. Seoh plays a very important role in her family. I think the fact that she does this despite her father-in-law's abuse definitely makes her seem like a strong character. It is clear that she respects the men in her life but also has her own struggles (like maintaining a household with only one maid).

[Book Lover Jack]

On the contrary, despite the focus being on men in the actual proverbial battle zones, the women are strong in their roles as women. Just because they are not killing or protesting like the men, dies not minimise their strength. When the men were gone, they single handedly took care of their families, when the men were around they ensures they did the work that the men could not manage to do. The lead character, Embon's mother, is a very strong woman, psychologically. She's kind and gentle but in many ways a rebel standing up against society's norms and expectations

[lavkathleen]

Oh my god. I stopped at the thought that it's the early 20th century in Korea—of course the women are oppressed.

But Koo Daesik did say that women also joined the independence movement and they played a huge role in keeping the organization intact. Embon's story was amazing, but I wish Pejay Bradley would write about them, too. We don't talk about the women in revolutions enough.

[63tty]

In so many cultures in the world, women are still not recognized. I think I would feel better to know that there was at least one strong woman who spoke her mind or played a role here.

[Ivana Tomaš]

I think history played a big role here in which women didn’t play a major role in a number of things. But on the other hand, considering that this is fiction, the author may have been able to develop some female characters better with more unique roles.

[Ahbed Nadir]

While I agree with you that there were not that many strong female characters, I would refute that with the person of Lady Sougyon. She displayed impressive strength of character, despite the constant humiliation at the hands of her husband. She also struggled and worked to ensure that her son was able to have a full nd comprehensive education despite the fact that he would have to leave her to further his studies.

[Ahbed Nadir]

I see where you are coming from, but in 1912, women were more to be seen than heard. While we have come a long way, women in other countries, like Korea do not have the same freedoms and liberties as women in America do. It is very much in respect to their culture. However, there are strong female characters in this story. For Lady Sougyon to be able to hold her head up in public, with the way her husband treated and embarrassed her shows her strength in character. As does her ability to raise her son on her own, encouraging him in his education even though it meant leaving her. Even Mrs. Seoh recognized that she wanted more education and opportunities for her children than she herself had. She recognized the change and shift in culture to realize they would be able to do more.

This is a fascinating take on their culture concerning women. I agree with you completely about Lady Sougyon as she was indeed a stellar woman and a strong mother. Korean women don't particularly have the same freedom of expression that women in other countries such as America have so I feel this was an attempt by the author to accurately portray women in a Korean society.

[Fliesie01]

I think that Lady Sougyon is a very strong character. She raised her son differently from what society expected. It takes a lot of courage seeing that her husband brought so much shame upon her, you would think that she would raise her son in an "acceptable" way to not stir things any more than has already been done.

[Atieno Magero]

I feel like the book does have strong female characters. It's just that, that time period overlooked women's contributions in society. I think the author could have done a better job with representation but I feel as though they were also trying to be historically accurate.

[Nqobile Mashinini Tshabalala]

I would have also liked to read more about the female characters and have them participate more. For me, Insoon had the potential to be a powerful character but her role was watered down.

[austenfan]

Well, I think the story was fine without any forced female lead roles. It just depends on what part of history and what part of Asia the story is about because in Japan women played a massive role in society in the fifteen hundreds.

[Bridgetbruso99]

I think it is for historical reasons. Lady S. still was a strong women dispute her dependency on social norms. It was a different time and that just wasn't a thing back then.

[Raluca_Mihaila]

It takes a lot of time and effort to change one's mindset. Women had been oppressed and kept away from power in many civilizations, so we should not expect to see the change so soon. The writer might have an unconscious bias in this matter, no matter how hard he tries to present the things objectively. Strong women characters in Korea will never look the same as strong women characters in America.