Analysis

The book is aptly titled "The Inner Quarters Marriage and the Lives of Chinese Women in the Sung Period". This is so because the book unveils the cloak of secrecy and the author Patricia Buckley Ebrey takes us into the Chinese family life as it existed during the Sung dynasty. The period of this dynasty stretches from the year 960 to the year1279. It provides us historical evidence and a deep insight into the family relationships, in particular those involving women. We learn how the daughters were treated by her parents and other family members. We get to know what kind of relationship generally existed between the wife and her husband. The institution of marriage is a much probed subject of the book. It tells us whether marriage was considered a sacred institution (such as is implied in the vow 'till death do us apart’) or was it looked upon as an arrangement of convenience. The level of emancipation and freedom and liberty allowed to the women is a major theme of the book. According to the author women were regarded much more than just partners in a casual relationship. Rather the relationship was that of lovers. At the same time it was the women who would get the injustice from the court in cases of divorce. Chaste widows had a particular status though remarriage was considered legitimate. Infanticide was abhorred as was abortion. The status of concubines was that of sex slaves and with little recourse to law or justice even when their children were taken away from them.

Prior to this piece of research such accounts were lacking or where they did exist were biased towards the women of the landed aristocracy and against the ordinary average womenfolk. China was under the socio-politico and religious influence of Confucianism during that era. As per norms dictated by the prevailing culture there existed physical segregation of the sexes. It will certainly be regarded as gender discrimination in the western world of today but it was the custom then. This distinction co-existed with the concept of ying and yang or inner and outer. One practical example of this is the abominable practice of foot binding. This was as common with the masses as it was with the classes.

The author also gives a detailed account of the philosophical thought of the period. For example what was the understanding of the people about life hereafter and about the role that fate played in everyone's life. We learn from the book the social and legal status and interpretations of the system of dowry. Also discussed in detail is the subject of divorce.

The topic of marriage can be said to be the central theme of the book. It contains graphic details of the ceremonies involved in marriages. Such occasions were elaborate matters and involved quite a bit of preparations. Gifts were customarily exchanged both during the engagement ceremony as well as during the actual wedding. The common items that were gifted on such occasions included fabrics, money, jewelry and sometime land also in the case of the landed class. The dowries were the most generous during the Sung dynasty. The choice of partners in a marriage was made jointly with the advice of friends and relations as well as the professional go-betweens which is the equivalent of a present day marriage bureau.

The role played by women in the rich sections of the society was that of the household manageress. She was the force that bound together extended families. Outside of domestic chores these women were actively involved in literary works as well as religious activities

Most womenfolk however had to work. Their main tasks were spinning of yarn and weaving and dyeing of cloth besides raising of silkworms and reeling silk. Women had to play a big part in rearing and proper upbringing of the children. In this respect they played a pivotal role.

The author says that though this period posed challenges for the women it did herald an overall change and set the in motion the trend of liberty and freedom for them.

The writer has chosen to adopt a simple and uncomplicated style so that the maximum number of people could enjoy reading it. She has avoided the use of overly philosophical interpretations preferring instead a forthright approach. Her prose is elegant. The research work that has gone into the writing of this book would have been significant considering the fact that the picture that we get to see is so comprehensive.