A Study on the"Hair Cutting"Plot of Female Characters in Ming and Qing Novels and Operas
The act of"cutting hair"has been deeply rooted in the history.As early as primitive society,the act of"cutting hair"was a localized Baiyue custom but a taboo in the Central Plains that was regarded as the violation of rituals.It is closely related to geographical factors,ways of life,ethnic consciousness,and even social ethics.It is found that,by focusing on historical events of hair cutting in real life,most of them are associated with women.The act of women's"cutting hair"reflects their marital status,embod-ies their chastity beliefs,and gives vent to their inner sorrow and indignation,taking rich and profound re-al-life meanings.In Ming and Qing novels and operas,this plot structure was employed to depict various scenarios such as resolutely taking vows by cutting hair,displaying affection between men and women through hair cutting,enduring humiliation and punishment through hair shaving,expressing inner sorrow and determination through hair cutting,conveying love by sending hair when couples are separated,re-nouncing worldly desires by shaving hair,and cutting hair as a means of livelihood under pressure from life.These narratives depict individual stories in different contexts and represent the voices of women un-der various circumstances,containing a profound cultural connotation and a unique aesthetic attribute.
female"hair cutting"Ming and Qing Dynastiesnovelopera
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