Images of Chinese female characters and Chinese society in literature translated from Chinese into Thai by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn
Abstract:
This study analyzes the image of Chinese female characters and their relationship with Chinese socio-cultural contexts in five Chinese literature translations by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn: "Butterfly", "The Pao Family Village", "What Love Cannot Pain", "The Women's City" and "Emerald".The analysis focuses on 11 prominent female characters who play significant roles in the narratives.The study finds that the images of Chinese female characters can be categorized into three historical periods: during the Cultural Revolution, featuring traditional Chinese women, women fluctuating between old and new ideologies, and patriotic women loyal to the Communist Party; during the Cultural Revolution, including women steadfast in their ideologies and self-serving women; and after the Cultural Revolution, featuring self-reliant women and those who sacrifice for their families. These images reflect Chinese socio-cultural aspects such as customs and traditions, including strict adherence to, adaptation to, resistance against, perseverance in, and compromise with traditional customs; their relationship with socio-economic conditions in terms of adapting to life circumstances and facing social challenges; their relationship with changing ideologies and their role in society, including changing perceptions of women's social roles and confronting societal challenges. This reflects the changes in Chinese societal values and lifestyles of women from before the Cultural Revolution to the period of Reform and Opening Up.