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This book lacks strong women as important characters?
Posted: 01 Jan 2021, 05:30
by Gabrielle Sigaki
In my opinion, this book could represent more women in important roles. However, I also think about the fact that this is a historical fiction novel. Therefore, the author might also be accurately portraying the lack of women in important roles in Asia by the time of the narrative. What do you think about that?
Re: This book lacks strong women as important characters?
Posted: 02 Jan 2021, 03:12
by Dee_Robert
I thought so too, I kept wondering why stronger female roles weren't emphasized or even encouraged. If it is for historical accuracy as you have said, then its quite sad that women weren't or aren't more outspoken or in identified roles. All in all though, the characters showed strength and courage in their fight, women present or not.
Re: This book lacks strong women as important characters?
Posted: 02 Jan 2021, 07:46
by Gabrielle Sigaki
Dee_Robert wrote: ↑02 Jan 2021, 03:12
I thought so too, I kept wondering why stronger female roles weren't emphasized or even encouraged. If it is for historical accuracy as you have said, then its quite sad that women weren't or aren't more outspoken or in identified roles. All in all though, the characters showed strength and courage in their fight, women present or not.
Indeed, the author gives voice for Lady Sougyon to tell her story, so I think that the reason was the historical accuracy. However, it is something to think about. It's a great and interesting book.
Re: This book lacks strong women as important characters?
Posted: 02 Jan 2021, 07:57
by Cristina Chifane
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.
Re: This book lacks strong women as important characters?
Posted: 02 Jan 2021, 19:07
by cd20
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.
Re: This book lacks strong women as important characters?
Posted: 03 Jan 2021, 04:09
by Sushan Ekanayake
A valid argument. It is true that females were not much highlighted in the ancient Asian societies. So the author might have gone along with that fact when writing his book. But, for the notice, there are few strong female characters in this book as well
Re: This book lacks strong women as important characters?
Posted: 03 Jan 2021, 07:31
by Nduthu43
I parttly disagree because it depends what you mean by strong. Lady Sougyon happens to be the mother of Embon who is a main character. Without the birth of Embon we would not have known Hob's story and his estrangement to Lady Sougyon. Besides, the story is mainly from her perspective and therefore I consider her very strong.
Re: This book lacks strong women as important characters?
Posted: 03 Jan 2021, 10:24
by Stephanie Elizabeth
As sad as it is, that was the reality for many women in history. As much as I would have loved to see strong female characters, I don't think it would have been reflective of the times.
Re: This book lacks strong women as important characters?
Posted: 03 Jan 2021, 15:02
by K i m
Its a natrual reality 80% of the females are strong beacuse of how their trained while growing to fulfil a daily life in there land.the charators of woman mostly strong in different ways to deal with situations differently.
Re: This book lacks strong women as important characters?
Posted: 03 Jan 2021, 20:39
by Dabrielle
Although there are not many strong female voices in the novel, Lady Sougyon is portrayed as a strong woman. All the same, the author's portrayal of gender roles is historically authentic.
Re: This book lacks strong women as important characters?
Posted: 03 Jan 2021, 23:12
by Phelicia Gloria
Indeed the book lucked strong women in it , which was very questionable, then I later come to thin of it that in the early days women were ignored in the society, they were not given major roles, and therefore the author might have been right in ignoring them.
Re: This book lacks strong women as important characters?
Posted: 04 Jan 2021, 00:33
by Ari Martinez
cristinaro wrote: ↑02 Jan 2021, 07:57
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.
I agree with you that there were strong women in the book. Just because a woman doesn't go out to battle, doesn't mean she isn't strong - there are other things that define a strong character. The things Lady Sougyon did are enough for me to think of her as a strong woman.
Re: This book lacks strong women as important characters?
Posted: 04 Jan 2021, 10:26
by Kamryn87
I thought the female characters was portrayed very strong and independent through hardships of her life. The mother was a very strong woman and during her part in the storyline was portrayed with great length . She wasn't even mentioned in the narrative for the book which to me ,made her part in the story a very pleasant surprise.
Re: This book lacks strong women as important characters?
Posted: 04 Jan 2021, 20:53
by Gabrielle Sigaki
cristinaro wrote: ↑02 Jan 2021, 07:57
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.
Indeed, Lady Sougyon is the greatest example of a strong woman in this novel, she is very brave and determined. Nevertheless, I still wished that the author included more women in important roles or that the author gave more scenes to those women that were only mentioned.
Re: This book lacks strong women as important characters?
Posted: 04 Jan 2021, 20:56
by Gabrielle Sigaki
cd20 wrote: ↑02 Jan 2021, 19:07
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.
Lady Sougyon is a fascinating character. She is a indeed a strong woman from all perspectives, in my opinion. I also agree that it can be related to the cultural aspect in Korea too. I didn't think about it before, but it makes sense to me.