Analysis of an Episode from A Visit from the Foot Binder by Emily Prager

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Analysis of an Episode from A Visit from the Foot Binder by Emily Prager

In this essay I will be looking at, “A visit from the foot binder”

written by Emily Prager and I will analyse closely the episode in the

story where Lord Guo Guo comes back to view and witness the expense

Lady Guo Guo has gone to, to create her burial tomb. I aim to look at

the way in which this episode has been written and relate it to the

main themes and functions of this story.

Through reading this episode I believe that it signifies the portrayal

of authority both sexes have over each other, and the different ways

that each can influence one an other with it. It also bares some

reference to the dependence of both sexes and how both rely on each

other to achieve what they desire but the independence and

stubbornness shown by Lady Guo Guo to attain what she requires.

From the beginning of this section we can observe the respect Lady Guo

Guo holds for the Lord. We comprehend that this relationship is not

one for love but of convenience as this is evident from the way they

treat each other within the scene and especially noted from the way

Lady Guo Guo approaches her husband on his arrival- “Lady Guo Guo

bowed as did the entire crowd…” The use of the word ‘bowed’ shows the

kind of authoritative figure Lord Guo Guo is and also likens Lady Guo

Guo to the entire crowd I believe the purpose of this is to illustrate

that Lady Guo Guo is considered as important as the entire crowd when

compared to the Lord, the male. This is the appearance of the

relationship from an external point of view.

After Lady Guo Guo has greeted the Lord, she appears to be very

app...

... middle of paper ...

...he more dominant species within society, we

can see that this is sometimes only true when it comes to the internal

of a relationship between the opposite sex. For example Lady Guo Guo

uses bribery to gain control of a very delicate situation, essentially

to achieve control she would like over Lord Guo Guo’s riches and class

by putting his honour in jeopardy, which further emphasises the

effects of traditions. The thematic contrast of dependence and

independence is also appears in this scene, we are witness to both

main characters depending on each other to in the end achieve what

they both want. Lord Guo Guo giving in to Lady Guo Guo to acquire his

wish, that Pleasure mouse have her feet bound, and in the case of Lady

Guo Guo, achieving unlimited credit on what she considers as her

honour in this story her burial tomb.

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