Snow Flower And The Secret Fan Analysis

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Recommended: The representation of women in society

Modern literature has the power to open up our mind to the ideas and values and show us a different view of the world we live in. It has the ability to give us a better understanding of social and cultural differences, which in turn can develop a reader 's feelings towards their own world and the ideas associated with women within the rigid application of class hierarchies. Through the comparison of The Bride Price and Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, the audience is able to gain insight into how the individuality of women can be influenced within patriarchal societies of different cultures. Both texts demonstrate an understanding of the changing worth of women in male dominated societies and the mutability of their social standings within their
Throughout her childhood, Lily had always longed for her parents’ affection, but being a daughter she is aware that she is considered a burden. Lily has always seen herself as someone in need of training and attention to make her worthy of the life for which she is intended. Within Snow Flower she discovers the possibility for her desires to be met; to be loved and to be acceptable within the standards of their male-dominated society. Lily says of Snow Flower, “… I wondered how I could make her love me the way I longed to be loved” (See, 57). Young Lily with the innocent desire to be loved is a window showing us her insecurity and vulnerability to the society. Lily looks up to Snow Flower as if she were perfect, as someone who she aspires to be like. It has been conveyed several times within the novel especially during Lily’s daughter days how she sees Snow Flower as someone superior to herself. Throughout the course of the book we come to understand that Lily fears rejection more than she feels compassion for the needs of Snow Flower. Lily’s friendship with Snow Flower has had a major effect on her priorities within life. Snow Flower’s unfortunate marriage to the butcher and slaving under her mother-in-law was what drove Lily’s train of thought. Lily’s relationship with Snow Flower has
Like Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Nigerian traditions and customs were also fixed upon patriarchy within the society. In the early 20th century of Nigeria, it was a society that was very family centred but also heavily influenced by western ideas and values. Ever since she was young, Aku-nna has always been determined to marry a wealthy man who could afford an expensive bride price so she could pay back to her father. Aku-nna lives in a society where women are not equal to men and she accepts that as that way of thinking was considered “normal”. Men were seen to have supreme authority over their household and that "if you lose your father, you have lost everything. Your mother is only a woman; she cannot do anything for you”(Emecheta, 28). Women aren 't able to be independent in a society that believes that their father is their everything. This essentially brings us to see how the patriarchal ideas and values affect Aku-nna 's sense of self as she is swallowed by societies ideas of an acceptable woman. As a result of this we can see how the subjugation and oppression of women in society can undoubtedly change their identity and way of

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    ...er learned from Lily how to cook, wash clothes, and how to clean the house. These girls learned from each other without realizing it, and had created even more of a special bond with one another than they thought. After both of the girls had gotten married and had children, the two girls did not see each other as much. Because of nu shu they were able to keep and touch and learn what was going on in their lives. “You who always knew my heart now fly above the clouds in the warmth of the sun. I hope one day we will soar together” (321). Lily wrote these words on her final entry on her fan after Snow Flower’s death. Through all of the lies Snow Flower told Lily, she still loved her and the bond they had together for eternity. Together as laotongs, the girls overcame obstacles, learned from each other, and created an eternal both between women throughout this novel.

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    t any other way. "'Oh, I couldn't have it nohow- I couldn't- I couldn't, Mis' Dunbar. Seemed as if it would kill me to think of it. I couldn't have her likin' anybody else, an' gittin' married... I didn't have nobody in the world but Abby. I couldn't have it so- I couldn't- I couldn't.'"(Freeman, Two Friends) The way friendship comes into play in “Two Friends” also comes heavily into play in “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan” as well. With the Laotong relationship that Lily and Snow Flower have, their friendship means the world to the both of them. Even after not talking for years upon years due to Lily’s stubbornness and mistakes, their friendship was still strong and connected at the end. "Though I was not as good as you, I believe that heavenly

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