The Confucian Four Books for Women: A New Translation of the Nü Sishu and the Commentary of Wang Xiang

by Ann A. Pang-White (Editor)

Overview

This volume presents the first English translation of the Confucian classics, Four Books for Women, with extensive commentary by the compiler, Wang Xiang, and introductions and annotations by translator Ann A. Pang-White. Written by women for women's education, the Confucian Four Books for Women spanned the 1st to the 16th centuries, and encompass Ban Zhao's Lessons for Women, Song Ruoxin's and Song Ruozhao's Analects for Women, Empress Renxiaowen's Teachings for the Inner Court, and Madame Liu's (Chaste Widow Wang's) Short Records of Models for Women. A female counterpart to the famous Sishu (Four Books) compiled by Zhu Xi, Wang Xiang's Nü sishu provides an invaluable look at the long-standing history and evolution of Chinese women's writing, education, identity, and philosophical discourse, along with their struggles and triumphs, across the millennia and numerous Chinese dynasties. Pang-White's new translation brings the authors of the Four Books for Women to life as real, living people, and illustrates why they wrote and how their work empowered women.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780190460914
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	04/02/2018
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	384
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Ann A. Pang-White is Professor of Philosophy and Founding Director of Asian Studies at the University of Scranton, Pennsylvania. She is the editor of Bloomsbury Research Handbook of Chinese Philosophy and Gender (2016) and the author of over a dozen articles on Chinese and comparative philosophy as well as medieval philosophy.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements Note on Editions, Commentaries, and Translation Chronology of Chinese Dynasties Essential Classic Chinese Terms with Corresponding English Translation Introduction: Uncovering the Confucian Four Books for Women: Why Nü sishu? Why Now? I. The Han Women: Ban Zhao and the Lessons for Women (c. 45-117) Introduction Wang Xiang's Biographic Introduction of Ban Zhao Original Preface to This Work by Ban Zhao Chapter 1 The Lowly and the Weak Chapter 2 Husband and Wife Chapter 3 Respect and Compliance Chapter 4 Women's Conduct Chapter 5 One-Mindedness Chapter 6 Conceding Obedience Chapter 7 Harmony with Younger Brothers-and-Sisters-in-Law II. The Tang Women: The Song Sisters and the Analects for Women (?-820/825) Introduction Wang Xiang's Biographic Introduction of the Song Sisters Original Preface to This Work by the Song Sisters Chapter 1 Establishing One's Person Chapter 2 Learning the Work Chapter 3 Learning the Rituals Chapter 4 Rising Early Chapter 5 Serving One's Parents Chapter 6 Serving Parents-in-Law Chapter 7 Serving One's Husband Chapter 8 Instructing Boys and Girls Chapter 9 Managing the Household Chapter 10 Hosting Guests Chapter 11 Harmony and Gentleness Chapter 12 Guarding One's Integrity III. The Ming Imperial Women: Empresses Renxiaowen and the Teachings for the Inner Court (1361-1407) Introduction Wang Xiang's Biographic Introduction of Empress Renxiaowen Original Preface to this Work by Empress Renxiaowen Chapter 1 Virtuous Nature Chapter 2 Self-Cultivation Chapter 3 Prudent Speech Chapter 4 Careful Conduct Chapter 5 Diligence Chapter 6 Frugality Chapter 7 Watchfulness Chapter 8 Accumulating Good Deeds Chapter 9 Becoming Good Chapter 10 Revering Sagely Teachings Chapter 11 Admiring Wise Role Models Chapter 12 Serving One's Parents Chapter 13 Serving One's Ruler Chapter 14 On Serving Parents-in-Law Chapter 15 Performing Religious Rites Chapter 16 Model Motherhood Chapter 17 Friendly Relationship with Family Clans Chapter 18 Benevolent Love for the Young Chapter 19 Treating Imperial Concubines Chapter 20 Treating Imperial Consorts' Maternal Relatives IV. The Ming Women: Madame Liu and the Short Records of Models for Women (c. 16th century) Introduction Wang Xiang's Biographic Introduction of His Mother, Madame Liu Chapter 1 Unifying Thesis Chapter 2 Queenly Virtues Chapter 3 Model Motherhood Chapter 4 Filial Conduct Chapter 5 Chastity and Ardency Chapter 6 Loyalty and Righteousness Chapter 7 Benevolent Love Chapter 8 Upholding Ritual Propriety Chapter 9 Wisdom Chapter 10 Diligence and Frugality Chapter 11 Talent and Virtue Appendix: Liu Xiang's Biographies of Women vis-à-vis Wang Xiang's Four Books for Women: Comparative Timelines and Categories of Women's Virtue Bibliography Index

Editorial Reviews

"Pang-White has truly done a superb job here. This first complete translation...is not to be missed in any serious collection on Confucianism and premodern East Asian/Chinese culture." -- Lukas Pokorny, University of Vienna, Religious Studies Review

"Pang-White's new translation is an admirable acheivement. It is significant to the field because of its historical value as well as the value to contemporary feminist discourse suggested by Pang-White." -- Guotong Li, California State University, Long Beach, Journal of Chinese Religions

"With this complete translation of the Four Books for Women, Ann A. Pang-White fills a longstanding and embarrassing gap in Western literature on traditional China. Her decision to include the commentary by the late-Ming literatus Wang Xiang adds immensely to the collection by affording a glimpse of its reception at the turn of the seventeenth century. The texts are preceded by Pang-White's thoughtful and evenhanded discussion of not only their historical value, but also their place in contemporary feminist discourse."--Paul R. Goldin, Professor of Chinese Thought, University of Pennsylvania, author of Confucianism

From the Publisher