The journal reading for today is "No Name Woman" by Maxine Hong Kingston.
In reading the story I find it impressive how Kingston analyses her aunt throughout it and her possible reasons for her actions. In the story it is revealed that Kingston's aunt is possibly raped, discovered to be pregnant while her husband is gone, brings shame to her family, and then kills herself by throwing herself and her child into the town's well. Kingston analyses if whether or not perhaps her aunt knew the man who raped her and instead loved him and gave herself to him. This idea creates an idea of free sexual will that I do not find common in most Asian culture and I find that interesting that Kingston brings this point up.
Also, she brings up the idea of honoring her aunt's memory despite how she brought shame to her family and her family tries to forget her. It is strange how strongly this family feels about this aunt and how much shame she brought to the family despite her pregnancy not possibly being her fault. In reading this story it offers a deep look in Chinese culture and beliefs and one is able to see how patriarchal the society is.
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