Gendered Reflection of Motherhood Violence: An Intertextual Analysis of Cold Night and Rose Gate

Yi Huang

doi:10.54691/g2ttt577

Authors

Yi Huang

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54691/g2ttt577

Keywords:

Cold Night; Rose Gate; motherhood violence; patriarchy.

Abstract

Wang Mu in Ba Jin's 1940s novel Cold Night and Si Yiwen in Tie Ning's 1980s work Rose Gate serve as emblematic portrayals of mothers in contemporary Chinese literature, creating a reflective dialogue that encompasses four decades of literary history. Wang Mu is depicted as a nurturing mother adhering to conventional ethical standards, while Si Yiwen is characterized as a malevolent mother who transgresses the limits of human morality. Despite exhibiting moral polarity, both characters experience the oppression of parenting under patriarchy. The author's work elucidates the estrangement of gender power within motherhood while enhancing critical discourse on literature and advancing the field of motherhood studies.

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