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Bitterness of the Inner Quarters

4/5 ( ratings)

In Gyuwon, or “Bitterness of the Inner Quarters,” Na takes on the tragedy of being a young widow in a society that enforced both female chastity and absolute dependence on male family members. The story is framed as a cautionary tale: an older woman speaks to a group of women gathered at the home of a young mother and warns them of the tragedy that could befall any of them at any time. She tells of how she was widowed and left at the mercy of her in-laws, framed for adultery due to the meddling of a neighbor, and victimized by a mysterious stranger who was able to pursue her with impunity due to his gender and wealth. Despite her own wealthy background and unfailing adherence to the moral standards required of her by the patriarchal social structure, she finds herself stripped of both social status and personal rights due to the selfish motives of others, and utterly without recourse or protection from any quarter. The story reveals the contradictions inherent to a patriarchal society and the precarious situation of all women, regardless of class status, who live within such gendered power structures.

Language: English

Pages: 34

Format: ebook

Publisher: Literature Translation Institute of Korea

Release: May 12, 2022

ISBN 13: 9788993360431

Bitterness of the Inner Quarters

4/5 ( ratings)

In Gyuwon, or “Bitterness of the Inner Quarters,” Na takes on the tragedy of being a young widow in a society that enforced both female chastity and absolute dependence on male family members. The story is framed as a cautionary tale: an older woman speaks to a group of women gathered at the home of a young mother and warns them of the tragedy that could befall any of them at any time. She tells of how she was widowed and left at the mercy of her in-laws, framed for adultery due to the meddling of a neighbor, and victimized by a mysterious stranger who was able to pursue her with impunity due to his gender and wealth. Despite her own wealthy background and unfailing adherence to the moral standards required of her by the patriarchal social structure, she finds herself stripped of both social status and personal rights due to the selfish motives of others, and utterly without recourse or protection from any quarter. The story reveals the contradictions inherent to a patriarchal society and the precarious situation of all women, regardless of class status, who live within such gendered power structures.

Language: English

Pages: 34

Format: ebook

Publisher: Literature Translation Institute of Korea

Release: May 12, 2022

ISBN 13: 9788993360431

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