My friends always call me a feminist, whatever feminist means to them.
I would probably agree with them if we really had the same definition of feminism, but well, their thoughts aren't exactly the same as mine.
Take for example, a friend of mine and I read this novel here in webnovel called, "A Star Reborn" and we started a conversation about it.
*******Spoilers are present about this novel, so, if you haven't read all of it in chinese or have read from a spoiler's thread, just don't read this until the novel is done for the November 11, 2019 blog.
Let's call my friend Joy
oh, by the way, the name's Kim.
So, before I start my story telling, in this blog you need to understand that most of the time, I write in the first person point of view.
However, when I start talking about the convos I have with my friends it will be a mixture of my 1st POV and in a more detailed way, like in scripts for dramas wherein their names will be followed a, ':' and afterwards, what they say and do.
Going back, Joy and I read the recent chapters of the novel with Li Lei inviting them with the reporter to meet Er Mao. Naturally, we were engrossed until Joy started throwing a fuss about how much she loved Li Lei.
Kim:😑*inhales deeply* okay.
Joy: 😡*shakes Kim's shoulders* oh come on, you don't like Pei Ziheng, you also don't like Li Lei. You even have this conspiracy about Xia Moyan and Ye Shaohui 😖🤔.. Li Lei is a great guy!
Kim:😕 okay. I mean, yes, I know that. But come on, haven't you noticed something strange about this novel?
Joy: 🤨 like what?
Kim: Realistically speaking, It's kind of disturbing how Xiao Ling is always at wits end even though she is the Phoenix. Think about it, of all the characters in the novel, the author time and again has said that she is the most powerful character. So, how come this powerful character became imprisoned at one point, protected at one point, by men? I mean, you know ahahahahahaha, tsk.
Joy: *blinks and contemplates her next words, looks at Kim in the eyes* Kim, we're reading a fictional novel.
Kim:🤨 Darling, we are literature majors, we know that literature is a reflection, an imitation of real life.
Joy: *she bites her lips*
Kim: *continuous her point* what's more, You and I have both realized this trend with the other novels. You told me we would make a paper about this, I hope you intend to keep your word. It's okay to be carried away in your first reading, the second time, there could still be some left out emotions... but on the third time you've read it, aren't you starting to feel disturbed?
Joy: I am, of course. *closes her eyes and inhales deeply* but, we really can't do anything about it.
Kim: I know.🤓
Joy: Fine, what about Ye Xingling?
Kim: Nothing. *shrugs her shoulders* I just wish for nothing more than a novel that has a female lead that is strong. Her strength is hers alone...which some novels portray in 'certain arcs'...but not all the time...
Joy: *replies in a soft whisperish tone* I know.
Kim: You know me, Joy. *looks at Joy with that fearless and vulnerable gaze* I just want to see women strong enough to stand and protect themselves on their own, even in novels. Men, whether in real life or fiction, cannot really protect their lovers at all times. This is also an unfair burden on their part that society has forced on to them.
Joy: You don't like Li Lei, don't you?
Kim: No. Even Xia Moyan, I don't hate him, and I know the author is saying that through characters like him, people can see that men aren't just bringers of misfortune for women. It's just that, how come there are very few female confidants with their female protagonists? Think about it, Ye Qingtang, Jiang Pengji, Ling Lan... where is that female sisterhood when these novels are meant to be read by females? I have nothing against women sharing brotherhood with men, but the lack of powerful sisterhood is too uncanny, even in Yun Loufeng's end, her friend had to be revived. . .
Joy: You know that there is radical patriarchy in their region of the world.
Kim: I know, that's why I am hurt. I am Chinese, proud of the cultural heritage I could read and learn from, never been to China but fudge, my blood boils with how proud I am of the rich culture they've maintained even when the world began to go global...but... sometimes the deep rooted cultural patriarchy in Chinese novels just runs too deep. It has feminism, but subliminally, the patriarchal touch is evident.
Joy: *Laughs* touch?
Kim: *laughs at the realization of what Joy meant* More like theme.
Joy: Okay, fine. *sighs* you know, because of being this aware and active, I think you won't get a boyfriend so easily...😞
Kim: That's okay, so far, I'm good with my singlehood.