Conjugal Relationships in Chinese Culture: Sino-Western Discourses and Aesthetics on Marriage

This book explores the presentation of conjugal relationships in Chinese culture and their perception in the West, looking at the gendered characteristics at play and the extent to which marriage is constituted in forms of transaction between female and male bodies. It also covers a range of cultural topics, such as posthumous marriage, inter-racial and inter-cultural marriage, widowhood, legitimacy, divorce, and re-marriage, and conjugal violence. It is a rich intellectual resource for scholars and students researching the historical roots, cultural interpretations, and evolving aspects of marriage.

Format: Hardback
Length: 179 pages
Publication date: 17 April 2023
Publisher: Springer Verlag, Singapore

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate presentation of conjugal relationships within Chinese culture and their perception in the Western world. It explores the diverse ways in which marriage is portrayed or misrepresented across various literary genres and cultural adaptations. By examining the gendered characteristics at play, the book sheds light on the broader societal implications of conjugal relationships in Chinese practices. It also distinguishes between the essential elements that shape nuptial arrangements from a Chinese perspective, highlighting the differing notions of autonomy in marriage between Sino and Western mentalities. Furthermore, the book uncovers the extent to which marriage is constructed in transactional forms between female and male bodies, raising questions about the archetypal or counter-archetypal notions of wedding ceremonies in pre-modern and modern societies.

The authors cover a wide range of captivating cultural topics, including posthumous marriage (necrogamy) as an ancient and widely practiced folk culture from the perspective of Confucian ideology. They also examine marriage across different historical periods, exploring the interplay between duty and rights in conjugal relations, inter-racial and inter-cultural marriages, widowhood in Confucian ideology, issues of legitimacy in marriage and concubinage, the taboos surrounding divorce and re-marriage, and conjugal violence.

The book serves as a valuable resource for scholars and students engaged in research on the historical roots, cultural interpretations, and evolving aspects of marriage as depicted in literature, art, and culture. It provides a rich intellectual foundation for understanding the complex cultural connections between marriage and various art forms, including literature, film, theatre, and other adaptations.

Weight: 471g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789811998409
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023