New Books in East Asian Studies
Matthew H. Sommer, "The Fox Spirit, the Stone Maiden, and Other Transgender Histories from Late Imperial China" (Columbia UP, 2024)
Jul 30, 2024
Matthew H. Sommer, a historian specializing in late imperial China, discusses his intriguing book on transgender histories. He delves into six court cases that illuminate complex gender identities and societal perceptions in Qing China. Sommer highlights how individuals navigated gender roles against legal frameworks, showcasing the interplay of culture and identity. He also touches on themes of sorcery, fox spirit mediums, and the narrative of gender nonconformity, ultimately revealing rich insights into the historical context of LGBTQ+ experiences in East Asia.
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Quick takeaways
- The podcast delves into six Qing China court cases, demonstrating how gender nonconformity was understood and legally challenged during late imperial times.
- Matthew Sommer highlights the tension between individual gender identities and societal norms, showcasing the harsh legal repercussions faced by those who deviated from traditional gender roles.
Deep dives
Exploration of Gender Nonconformity in Qing China
The podcast examines six court cases from Qing China that highlight individuals who deviated from their assigned gender. These cases include cross-dressing individuals, such as a midwife and a spirit medium, who lived as women despite being assigned male at birth. The host, Matthew Sommer, discusses how these variations in gender identity were perceived and interpreted within the cultural and legal framework of the time, emphasizing that such identities were often misunderstood by authorities. By contrasting these historical narratives with modern understandings of gender, Sommer sheds light on the complexities of gender identity in late imperial China.
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