I.R.#2-The Woman Warrior:Reader Response #1

          Through Maxine Hong Kingston's diction in her book The Woman Warrior, we are told tales of which have been story-told for generations of old China and up until today with this novel. The subtitle reads, "Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts." From there, I knew this would be a rather interesting delight, and after reading the first two sections-No Name Woman and White Tigers- I figured the term "ghosts" would symbolize Chinese ancestors.
      
          From page one, the art filled my mind. (That of the Asia really appeals to me as artwork.) The story told of the sister in a Chinese family who had sexual relations with an unknown man. This is a mother telling this to her own daughter. This sister was her husband's sister. Shame was set upon the family after the sister had become pregnant and their family home had been raided. Expecting the birth of the child, she had awaited far from home, bearing the pain and telling of the view in heaven, and many other scenes that shifted in and out of her mind. The time drew nearer and nearer and she suddenly moves into the pigsty where the baby is born. The mother decides to drown themselves-mother and child- in the family well because of the shame. The daughter was told not to speak of this aunt of hers. The "no name" woman. My reaction to this? Wow! Cultural expectations differ all around the world, and for this particular woman to be put to shame, driving her to commit this act, is a thought that gives me goosebumps. It's terrifying. The happening is terror in itself. With the story beginning this way, I became very very interested, desiring to read more and learn more. And then, I thought. If such shame is placed upon an individual for doing this, then where does the honor derive. This is, in fact, titled The Woman "Warrior," what tale will enter my mind after this.
      
           There it was-White Tigers. It tells a tale of the daughter, carried into the clouds following a bird. It was beautiful, and very much dream like. She was climbing a mountain, hands torn up, feet torn up from the everlasting climb. She is greeted by an old man and an old woman with many offerings to her. After a day and night's stay, she is given the choice, to go home to her family, or to stay there and train to become a warrior! At last! A warrior! The old man and old woman were spiritual battle trainers, or as we know, monks. I was then reminded of the mentioned Fa Mu Lan (my reference to the Disney movie) and to another Disney move, Wendy Wu. They were both warriors of Chinese descent awaiting battle. I recognized the strength beheld in a woman. How much honor placed in them; especially in being a Chinese warrior. The daughter chose to train and I felt, in myself, a sense of pride and empowerment. Girls can do anything and girls have their own strength. Reading on about the girl's life with the monks was appealed to me as something very dignified and honorable indeed. I'm very curious to join the storyteller and her characters on this foreign journey. My reading continues from here.