Abstract:
This dissertation aims at analyzing the various meanings of Chinese womanhood in Post-Maos womens novels, particularly from 1985 to the early years of the 21st century, and looking into the relationship between the Chinese historical, social and cultural context with the meanings of womanhood from the urban female intellectuals point of views. The study reveals that the representation of womanhood, particularly in terms of love, sexuality and individuality of Chinese women in this time has developed from the conflicts with Confucius ideologies and Maos, namely - the emotional restraint, loveless marriages, values on chastity, ban on sexuality and collectivism - into the new definition of womanhood with love, sexuality and individuality which results from the interaction with globalization, capitalism and consumerism.