The “ideal” woman from Thai and Chinese cultural perspectives – a comparative study on the heroines in Four Reigns and A Dream of Red Mansions

Abstract

Literature is the reflection of society and life, this thesis intends to discuss about the standard of “ideal” woman in Thailand and China through the parallel study method in comparative literature, through the analysis and study of the texts of Four Reigns of M.R. Kukrit Pramoj and A Dream of Red Mansions of Cao Xue Qin, two masterpieces in Thai and Chinese literary history. This thesis will explore the similarities and differences in the value of women, as well as moral codes of female behavior between the two countries from two female characters: “Phloi” in Four Reigns and “Bao Chai” in A Dream of Red Mansions, and from different perspectives such as: religious perspective, literary aesthetic perspective and the social perspective. From this thesis, it can be concluded that in Thai and Chinese society, women must adhere to the traditional cultural values. Even in the modern society, both Thai and Chinese women are more independent than before, but they are still expected to take more family responsibility than social responsibility. This thesis also will be helpful to enhance and deepen the understanding of Thai and Chinese culture through the two novels, in order to inspire modern women to make greater efforts in improving the true gender equality in these two cultures.