Message from kgbuchanan

[Anonymous]

"Raise the Red Lantern" directed by Zhang Yimou illustrates the plight of a young woman who has lost her protective father and can no longer go to the university. Instead, she is forced to marry and become fourth wife to a rich man. Soon, Songlian learns that keeping the master's interest is everything and makes her life better. A red lantern is placed outside the wife's house and this signifies where the master will spend the night. The lucky wife gets a foot massage and gets to decide what will be eaten the next day.

The wives are bitter rivals and are determined to keep the interest of a man that the audience never sees. We witness these women willing to fight and outsmart one another, just for a little bit of attention. It seems that this is the only way these ladies can validate their identity. Showing women as victims who accept their fate, this movie shows that they will stop at nothing to be on top.

This movie provides the audience with a lively discussion about if women are willing to destroy others to be in a man's favor. My husband thought the movie provided of insight into the female mind. He said that he learned a lot. Needless to say, we had quite a lively debate.

I didn't really enjoy how the movie became a cat fight between the wives. I began to lose sympathy for Songlian as she became ruthless and lashed out at anyone who stepped in her way. She seemed determined to be top wife to a man that she didn't even love. I kept thinking that her life just didn't seem better when she was top wife. She hurt a lot of people, and it just didn't seem to be worth it.

I'm not sure I would show this movie to my students. I left with the message that a victim must destroy others to better their lives. It does show the inhumane treatment of women in China in the 1920's and was stunningly beautiful to watch. It just didn't send the "right" message.