Adeline Yen Mahs Falling Leaves Essay -- Mah Falling Leaves Gender

Adeline Yen Mahs Falling LeavesWorks Cited MissingFor years, the world has been indifferent to the painful, degrading traditions toward women that take place behind the Bamboo Curtain of China. Falling Leaves , by Adeline Yen Mah, unveils the darker side of Chinese culture with her eyes as an unwanted Chinese daughter. Shocking mistreatment, of not precisely the author, but to a fault the females in her extended family keep suspense alive throughout the book. My centerfield sobs at each account of Adelines tortured life, but through it all, there was a flicker of her spirit that could not be point out.In China, girls atomic number 18 seen as a possession or a cheap commodity (Yen Mah 100). Sons, especially the eldest, are given far more(prenominal) attention and praise. Families that are well shoot keep their daughters and marry them off to prominent families sons through a marriage broker (mei-po). Rich daughters ofttimes had their feet bound, a process by which the four la teral toes of the foot are forced with a bandage under the sole so that only the big toe protruded. (It was) tightened daily for a number of years (so as to) permanently arrest the foots growth in raise to achieve tiny feet so prized by Chinese men (Yen Mah 11). Their unfitness to walk with ease is a symbol of submissiveness, weakness, and wealth. This tradition is becoming more rare, but still many older women bear its pain today. Adelines grandmother went against these traditions by not torturing her own daughter i...