Pa Chin’s Family is one of the most celebrated Chinese novels which continue to be of great significance even now. This literary work shows how history and cultural exploration can be embedded in a fictional piece. The story of the four generations of the Kao family explores how powerful tradition is.
As depicted in the plot, tradition is one of the major determining factors in the lives of the traditional Chinese. This was shown in the lives of the three brothers – Chueh-hsin, Chueh-min, and Chueh-hui, who were forced to conform to the prevalent societal norms molded by tradition.Furthermore, the story illustrates that although there were other social aspects involved in the story – social class, educational attainment, and familial relationships – nothing can compete with the power of tradition. Despite the fact that free will exists and individualism can affect the level of one’s passiveness to tradition, such is still remains to be very influential.
In general, it seems that Tradition is the most determinative social force and other social forces submit and support its reign.Though ideologies, new ideas, and new culture might prompt some challenges to its power, it will take time before tradition thoroughly embraces modernity to a highly significant level. Analyzing the story: the Strong Chinese Tradition The Chinese are known to be very conservative and conforming to their traditions which have been passed on from generation to generation. In the story, Pa Chin was successful in illustrating the influence of traditional Chinese culture in the lives of the Kao family.
Prevalent in the story was the patriarch set-up which was demonstrated in the lives of a typical wealthy Chinese family. Yeh-Yeh, father of the three major characters in the story was in ultimate control of everything which happened within their compound. This patriarchal control encompassed who the sons were supposed to marry, what ideologies should they embrace, how they should go about in their day to day social interaction and more. It was as if the power of the father was the standpoint from which the sons were supposed to base their beliefs and ideas.
Another demonstration of the strong Chinese tradition was the strict limits drawn between the wealthy and the servants. Members of the Kao family were allowed to mingle with the servants but they must be reserved. In addition to that, detachment to the servant’s ideals and emotions must be observed and blatantly demonstrated. Relationships between the servants and the wealthy are also strictly unacceptable.
Apparently, the servants were very much equated to material assets which can be traded or sold to other well-off families.This can be observed in Yeh-Yeh treatment with Mei-Ping. Chueh-hsin and Mei Ping had a relationship but they were forced to part from each other and marry other people of Yeh-Yeh’s choosing. Even when Mei Ping’s husband died and she was sent back to the compound, Yeh-Yeh sold her as a concubine.
Adherence to unfounded Chinese superstition was also a manifestation of the strong Chinese tradition. This was shown when Jui-Chueh, Chueh-hsin’s wife who was eight months pregnant was sent away in accordance to the Chinese superstition on the death of Yeh-Yeh.Despite the fact that Jui-Chueh needed the support of her husband, she had to leave and die as she gave birth to Chueh-hsin’s second son. Gender inequality, particularly the submission of women to the wishes of the patriarch is another sign of a strong Chinese tradition.
As shown in the story, though the wealthy women enjoyed far more privileges than the servants, they are still “powerless” as compared to the male members of the well-off families. A significant difference between the social roles of men and women can be seen in the practice of having concubines. A challenge: Modernity and Western InfluencesThe novel showed the clash between tradition and modernity. However, it was clear that in the majority of the Chinese community, the practice of tradition will not give in.
Modernity only promoted a gradual change and that change will first be prominent with those who are educated. Thus, this means that the major catalysts for change are those who have enough money to fund their education – the wealthy and the powerful. In the story, while Yeh-Yeh and Chueh-hsin were shown as the servants of tradition, Chueh-min, and Chueh-hui acted as the catalysts for modernity and change.They were educated and they were exposed to western influences and other ideologies which prompted them to question the traditional practices.
Instead of turning to the traditional ways in advocating for a cause, they also used a new but highly effective technique in popularizing an ideology – the use of mass media, particularly their magazine which was called “Dawn”. Modernity in the story was portrayed as a step towards equality and democracy where social class delineations are torn down, and gender discrimination no longer exists.Modernity was more of an outer force which may damage the present Chinese order, but nonetheless, it was still vital for the Chinese cannot block influences from other parts of the globe. Responding to the challenge Responses to the challenges posed by modernity vary from person to person.
In the case of Yeh-Yeh, he did not accept – but in some sense tolerated the manifestation of modernity as he acknowledged Chueh-min’s desire to marry Chin when he was already in his deathbed.As such he showed that the conformist Chinese can accept change – only when he can no longer fight against it. As for Chueh-hsin, he was aware of individualism and was susceptible to change but it was not enough to empower him to break free from his traditions. In the case of Chueh-min, and Chueh-hui, they were the ones who received adequate encouragement – in the form of education – and that paved their way to stimulate change not just within their family but in the community as well.
Their initiative also empowered their eldest brother.However, it seems that only the wealthy can recognize and initiate modernity as servants passively embraced the traditional practices despite the fact that it seems to be most hostile to them. Conclusion Tradition is a power to reckon with. It embraces every aspects of life of everything within the community which practices and strengthens it.
Undeniably, conformity with tradition is often regarded as the way to live harmoniously with an established social order. Both the wealthy and servant classes are dominated by the traditional Chinese culture.However, change in the form of modernity cannot be prevented. It will always be a persistent force that will keep on knocking down tradition into ruins.
Nevertheless, tradition will still arise as the most dominant force because those who are capable of changing it – the wealthy and the educated – are the ones who mostly benefit from it. The lowest social class which receives the harshest conditions presented by the tradition remains ignorant and passive to its overwhelming power. Modernity will only take place only when the educated has empowered the servants to rise up and promote a new tradition.
