Seventeen Syllables Summary
In the story “Seventeen Syllables” the role of women is one that is repressed, and I believe it is that way due to the traditional patriarchal beliefs and culture. Although this has not always been their way of thinking, it is the one that has dominated for hundreds of years and changed very little in more recent times. It was even the common way of thinking in 1950, the year “Seventeen Syllables” was written.
Japanese culture has changed a lot in its thousands of years of history, and so has its society’s view of women. In third century Japan, women were believed to be capable of bringing peace and regulation to their country and thus encouraged to rule their country. This was a direct reflection of the Shinto religion that was prominent throughout Japan (Silva-Grondin). Shintoism believed women were the embodiment of intelligence, beauty, fertility, and purity. These beliefs remained dominant until the middle of the sixth century with the introduction of Buddhism. Buddhism had very chauvinistic, anti-feminism beliefs, and this was the beginning of female repression (Silva-Grondin). During the Heian period in Japan (794 AD -1185 AD), women faced severe …show more content…
Throughout the Tokugawa era (1603 AD- 1868 AD), the women were thought to only be suitable for marriage and her only purpose should be learning to please her husband (Silva-Grondin). They were taught to be submissive to their husbands and were given no legal rights. These beliefs defined their society until around 1945 (Kincaid). Even still, women were expected to be loyal to their husband and family. During this time, women had more responsibilities including controlling the household budget and decisions, which took some burden off the men so they could serve their lord. It was also considered their duty for women to have children (Kincaid). To this day some Japanese women continue to be repressed due to traditional
Japanese culture has changed a lot in its thousands of years of history, and so has its society’s view of women. In third century Japan, women were believed to be capable of bringing peace and regulation to their country and thus encouraged to rule their country. This was a direct reflection of the Shinto religion that was prominent throughout Japan (Silva-Grondin). Shintoism believed women were the embodiment of intelligence, beauty, fertility, and purity. These beliefs remained dominant until the middle of the sixth century with the introduction of Buddhism. Buddhism had very chauvinistic, anti-feminism beliefs, and this was the beginning of female repression (Silva-Grondin). During the Heian period in Japan (794 AD -1185 AD), women faced severe …show more content…
Throughout the Tokugawa era (1603 AD- 1868 AD), the women were thought to only be suitable for marriage and her only purpose should be learning to please her husband (Silva-Grondin). They were taught to be submissive to their husbands and were given no legal rights. These beliefs defined their society until around 1945 (Kincaid). Even still, women were expected to be loyal to their husband and family. During this time, women had more responsibilities including controlling the household budget and decisions, which took some burden off the men so they could serve their lord. It was also considered their duty for women to have children (Kincaid). To this day some Japanese women continue to be repressed due to traditional