Analects for Women - Asia for Educators - Columbia University

Primary Source Document, with Que stions (DBQ) onEXC ERPTS FRO M ANALECTS FOR WOMEN, BY SONG RUOZHA OIf you are invited to someone’s house, understand your female duties and help with thepreparation of the tea. After having talked for a time, rise to leave. Don’t overstay yourwelcome. If your hostess presses you to stay longer to share a meal, conduct yourself withpropriety.Don’tdrinksomuchthatyourfaceturnsredandyougetsloppyinthehandlingofyour chopsticks. Take your leave before all the food is gone and before you forget yourmanners.…RisingEarly[toBeginHouseholdWork]Tobeawomanonemustlearntomakeitaregularpractice,atthefifthwatchwhenthecockcrows,toriseanddress.Aftercleaningyourfaceandteeth,fixyourhairandmakeupsimply.Thengotothekitchen,lightthefire,andstartthemorningmeal.Scrubthepotsandwashthepans;boiltheteawaterandcookthegruel.Planyourmealsaccordingtotheresourcesofthefamilyandtheseasonsoftheyear,makingsurethattheyarefragrantandtasty,servedintheappropriatedishesandinthepropermanneratthetable.Ifyoustartearly,thereisnothingyoucan’tgetdoneinaday!Donotlearnthewaysofthoselazywomenwhoarethoughtlessanddonotplanahead.Thesun is already high in the sky before they manage to get themselves out of bed. Then theystagger to the kitchen, disheveled and unwashed, and throw a meal together, long past thehour.Whatismore,theyareoverlyfondofeatingandcompetetogetthetastiestmorselsateachmeal.Ifthereisnotenoughofthebesttogoaround,theystealsometoeatlateronthesly.Their inconsiderate manners are displayed to all their neighbors, to the humiliation of theirparents‐in‐law.Talkedaboutbyeveryone,howcantheynotbeovercomewithshame!ServingOne’sParents‐in‐LawYourfather‐in‐lawandmother‐in‐lawaretheheadsofyourhusband’sfamily.…Youmustcareforthemasyourownfatherandmother.Respectfullyserveyourfather‐in‐law.Donotlookathim directly [when he speaks to you], do not follow him around, and do not engage him inconversation.Ifhehasanorderforyou,listenandobey.When your mother‐in‐law is sitting, you should stand. When she gives an order, you shouldcarryitoutrightaway.Riseearlyinthemorningandopenupthehousehold,butdon’tmakeanynoisethatwoulddisturbyourmother‐in‐law’ssleep.Sweepandmopthefloors,washandrinse the clothes. When your mother‐in‐law wakes up, present her with her toiletry articles,withdraw while she bathes until she beckons you. Greet herand then withdraw. Prepare teaand broth; set out spoons and chopsticks. As long known, the aged have poor teeth, so youshouldbeespeciallycarefulinthepreparationoffoodforthem,sothattheymightenjoytheiroldagewithallsortsofdelicacies,cookedinamannerthatallowsthemtobeeasilychewedandswallowed.Atnightbeforeretiring,checktoseeiftheyarecomfortablysettledforthenight.Bidthemgoodnightandthengotobed.…Asia for E duca tors | Columbia University | http ://afe.easia.columbia.edu Page 4 of 6

Primary Source Document, with Que stions (DBQ) onEXC ERPTS FRO M ANALECTS FOR WOMEN, BY SONG RUOZHA OEntertainingGuestsMost families have guests. You should have hot water and clean bottles, and keep the tablecleanandneat,readyforguests.Whenaguestarrives,servehimteaandthenretiretotherearofthehallandawaityourhusband’sordersaboutthemeal.…Don’tlearnthewaysofthelazywomanwhodoesn’tattendtohouseholdmattersanyway,sothatwhenaguestarrives,theplaceisinamessandsheisunpreparedtoofferhimtearightaway. She is so flustered that she loses her head. If her husband asks the guest to stay for ameal,sheisannoyedandloseshertemper.Shehaschopsticksbutnosoupspoons,soysaucebutnovinegar.Shescoldsandslapstheservantsaround,toherhusband’sgreatchagrinandtheguest’sembarrassment.Asia for E duca tors | Columbia University | http ://afe.easia.columbia.edu Page 6 of 6