A study of the reflection of the arranged marriage, status and role of women through Chinese folklore“The Butterfly Lovers” (梁祝) in the Translated Version of Decho Boonchuchuay

Abstract

This research aimed to study the reflection of the arranged marriage, status and role of women through Chinese folklore “The Butterfly Lovers” (梁祝) in the translated version of Decho Boonchuchuay.

The findings were found that the reflection of the arranged marriage through the character of Zhu Yingtai’s father who arrange the marriage with the lovers who don’t know each other. Zhu Yingtai’s father still had pure conservative thinking and culture in which men hold the power in the family and had the right to make decisions in everything, leading to unfair relationships according to Radical Feminism. The patriarchy reflected in “The Butterfly lovers” showed gender inequality through the character of Zhu Yingtai, the daughter who was willing to study. At that time, unfortunately, the women had no right to study which was unnecessary affair the women are only entitled to obey their parents, This research reflected not only the lack of freedom in choosing one’s own spouse, but also the role of women which was determined by society. The study showed that even the arrange marriage that had to be performed as a duty of daughters to express their gratitude towards their parents, it was not appropriate. The women should select their own spouse and know each other before.