“Lessons for Women”

[Petrina Jap]

The way Ban Zhao describes herself is striking — in the first sentence alone, she refers to herself as “unworthy, unsophisticated, unenlightened, [and] unintelligent.” While her self-depreciation is saddening, I also find it a bit curious, considering that she goes on to write “Lessons for Women.” Writing instructions of how to become a decent human being, much less making claims of how which virtues are the most important, is a task that takes some confidence and a sense of self-assuredness!

This document instructs married women how to live, act, and think. In her introduction, Ban Zhao expresses that following these behavioral guidelines will benefit a woman’s life; following the customs in “Lessons for Women” will ultimately lead a woman to be praised by those around her. 

After learning that the Chinese government recently came out with a new version of the 24 Fililal Exemplars, I am curious to know how Ban Zhao’s “Lessons for Women” is studied and/or passed on in modern-day China, especially in light of individualization.