College Honors Program

Women in Chinese Characters: A Philosophical Evaluation of How Chinese Language Affects Chinese Women and Feminism in China

Date of Creation

5-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Department

Philosophy

First Advisor

Frances Maughan-Brown

Abstract

This thesis explores how Chinese characters—particularly the character “女 (nǚ-women)” and characters with the female radical (女部) —convey and construct sexism, arguing how language and femininity are shaped by disciplinary power and transformed within modern feminist discourse. Using Foucault’s theory of institutionally bound disciplinary practices and Sandra Bartky’s theory of institutionally unbound disciplinary practices, this thesis argues that women are subject to both external norms and internalized, invisible power, constructing illusory femininity. These forces lead to women's bodies being more docile than men’s. Analyzing 245 female radical characters, this thesis focuses on those characters expressing objectification or description of the body and expressing deference and obedience. They reflect the disciplinary power on women, leading women into Sartre’s “bad faith,” wherein women are alienated from their authentic selves.

While some concerns that language reformation might cause cultural disintegration, a wave of bringing new interpretations to the female radical characters has emerged in China. This thesis aligns with this voice, demonstrating that language is dynamic. By situating the female radical characters at the intersection of tradition and modern feminist resistance, this thesis contributes to discussions of cultural resilience and gender identity, highlighting language reformation as both cultural preservation and liberating reinterpretation.

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