Lyric Women: The Life of Women in Republican Shanghai: The Life of Women in Republican Shanghai

Author: Zhuo Ying
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: "They are the ladies among ladies, the essence of women. Known as 'socialites,' they absolutely emphasize class and origin. They possess legitimate aristocratic genealogies, and are comprehensively nurtured through Eastern and Western cultures: They hold diplomas from renowned women's schools, and their family tutors include both the elderly scholars and scholars of the former dynasty, as well as elegant wives of fallen British or Russian aristocrats. They speak English, read poetry, learn to dance and play the piano, and practice Beijing Kunqu and landscape painting. In motion, they can drive cars, ride horses, play tennis, play women's baseball, or even fly planes. In stillness, they can dance, write, play the piano, and practice yoga—Cheng Naisan."
In the late 1920s, Shanghai held a large-scale "Shanghai Miss" election. Guo Anci, the daughter of the Guo family from Yong'an Company and a graduate of the Sino-Western School, won the championship and was crowned "Shanghai Miss," receiving a coveted luxury car as a prize. By July 1931, at the international beauty pageant held at Mingyuan, this "Shanghai Miss" had already joined the panel of judges. During this period, Guo Anci was active in Shanghai's social circles, frequently appearing at various charity events and being invited to participate in fashion shows, becoming a true Shanghai socialite.
The character "" (yuàn) literally means "beautiful woman" and does not specify whether she is single, married, or her age. However, when the character "" (ming) is added before "," the definition becomes more accurate: "They are the ladies among ladies, the essence of women. Known as 'socialites,' they absolutely emphasize class and origin. They possess legitimate aristocratic genealogies, and are comprehensively nurtured through Eastern and Western cultures: They hold diplomas from renowned women's schools, and their family tutors include both the elderly scholars and scholars of the former dynasty, as well as elegant wives of fallen British or Russian aristocrats. They speak English, read poetry, learn to dance and play the piano, and practice Beijing Kunqu and landscape painting. In motion, they can drive cars, ride horses, play tennis, play women's baseball, or even fly planes. In stillness, they can dance, write, play the piano, and practice yoga."