Abstract:
This thesis aims to study the presentation of concepts of the Perfectly Virtuous Woman of Cambodian women writers during 1979 until 2003 including the political, social, and cultural contexts that influence the presentation of concepts of Perfectly Virtuous Woman in their novels. The study clarifies that both Mao Samnang and Pal Vannareerak who are Cambodian women writers present concepts of the Perfectly Virtuous Woman in their novels according to the honour system, fame and images of Cambodian women. Nevertheless, the concept of the Perfectly Virtuous Woman of Mao Samnang is the traditional concept while the Pal Vannareerak's concept is the traditional concept and has been applied to the role and duty of Cambodian women who have to perform according to a call of people in society. The political, social and cultural contexts have influenced on the presentation of concepts of the Perfectly Virtuous Woman in novels of two Cambodian woman writers. The shortage of novels after Khmer Rouge period provided a good chance for Mao Samnang to start her career as a writer and initiated the sentimental noval to respond the demands of readers who really need something to console their minds. On the contrary, Pal Vannareerak had written her novels as a mouthpiece of the government or the demands of social currents. Mao Samnang has supported the traditional concept of the Perfectly Virtuous Woman for two main reasons. Firstly, the traditional concept is the recial and cultural indentities of Cambodians. Secondly, the performance of the concept of the Perfectly Virtuous Woman is a dharma practice that will lead the life of Cambodian women and solve their problems as well. Pal Vannareerak tries to negotiate with some parts of the traditional concept of the Perfectly Virtuous Woman as the negotiation of value judgments to the discrimination against widow and the worthiness of women on their virginity. Besides this, Pal Vannareerak tries to point that an education is the main factor that enables Cambodian women to negotiate with people in the society where those women are controlled by the traditional concept of the Perfectly Virtuous Woman.