Past events

Author: Mao Yanwen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: "Reminiscences" is written in a memoir format, recording the vibrant life of an outstanding modern Chinese woman. It takes us into the rich emotional world of the author, Mao Yanwen, and outlines the turbulent and transformative changes in Chinese society over the past century. It provides with extremely valuable personal perspectives and firsthand historical materials for understanding this complex period. I intend to translate and introduce parts of "Reminiscences" related to the author's early education and participation in the anti-foot-binding movement to English-speaking readers. That summer, when I went to Taipei, I made time to visit her specifically to seek an audience. She immediately agreed to my request and promised to help review the translation. I first chose a segment to translate into English and had it read to the students in my "Civilization of Asia" elective course at Eastern Michigan University. The students were all captivated by the author's vivid and lively recollections, finding them deeply moving. Later, in the preface, the author mentions that "Reminiscences" records only ordinary events. Even if there are a few outstanding incidents documented, they become ordinary and unremarkable after the passage of time. This likely refers to the anti-foot-binding movement, the adoption of modern education, the resistance against her father's arranged marriage, and her choice of her own husband.