El desarrollo de la imagen de la “Nueva Mujer” en la literatura china del siglo XX

Abstract

The concept of the “New Woman” originates in Western literature and is situated within a clearly defined historical context. However, in Chinese literature, its meaning is broader and more complex, evolving in tandem with the country’s historical and sociopolitical transformations. This study examines the literary representation of the “New Woman” in China throughout the twentieth century, focusing on emblematic figures that reflect the tensions and reconfigurations of women’s roles in society. Four key stages in its development are identified: the period from 1900 to 1918, the May Fourth Movement era, the Maoist period, and the phase following the implementation of the Reform and Opening-Up policy. This study demonstrates that the evolution of the “New Woman” in Chinese literature not only corresponds to the transformation of progressive female protagonists but also serves as a reflection of changes in women’s social status across different historical contexts.