Shu Yang

Scholar Shu Yang discusses how the 'shrew' archetype persisted and influenced the 'new woman' in modern China, revealing a new origin story for symbols of female empowerment. Yang provides detailed readings of sources, examining the historical context and wider meaning of the shrew in newspaper accounts, fiction, and theater. The podcast delves into the evolving status of women in Republican China, challenges traditional views on new women, explores media representations of suffragettes, and reimagines characters in modern Chinese literature.

Shu Yang, a scholar focusing on negotiating new womanhood in modern China, discusses the persistence of the 'shrew' archetype and its connection to the 'new woman' in modern Chinese literature. She explores how the shrew was used to depict suffragettes, jealousy, promiscuity, and Communist ideals. The podcast delves into the evolution of shrew literature, challenges traditional gender roles, and reflects on the author's research journey.