Beyond challenging gender norms: empowering female characters in pseudotranslated story of late Qing China
摘要
This study explores how the pseudotranslated narrative Free Marriage portrayed female empowerment in late Qing China. It investigates how this specific pseudotranslation depicts empowered female figures in a manner that aligns with the emerging political activism of the period. The research is motivated by the gap in literature on the intersection of gender discourse and social activism within this era’s pseudotranslations, particularly regarding their role in challenging social perceptions of female roles. Employing qualitative analysis, including close textual analysis and comparative review of contemporary literary works, this paper analyzes themes of marriage freedom, chastity, and military obligation as presented in Free Marriage. The findings indicate that the strategic use of pseudotranslation makes a substantial contribution to the dialogue on social change and nationalism by positioning women as key agents in these processes. This investigation reveals that the pseudotranslation not only challenges traditional gender norms but also portrays women in empowered roles, contributing to the redefinition of their roles in society and reflecting the evolving social trends of the late Qing era.