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a. Beauty
Bullon in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English defines beauty as a quality that people, places, or things have that makes them very attractive to
look at Bullon, 2004, p. 117. For Chinese women, they would look more attractive if they could have a pair of tiny feet. Although they have to endure the
unimaginable pain of the footbinding process and sacrifice forever the chance to move freely and normally. All they think is that they will have a reward that
cannot be gained in any other way. This is supported by the following quotation: The driving force behind this desire was complex: it had to do with
marriage; it had to do with sex; it had to do with status; it had to do with beauty; it had to do with duty. Jackson, 1997, p. 24
The quotation shows that the footbinding process must be done in order to
reach a better life in the future. Their beliefs at that time in accordance with having a pair of golden lilies are: first, to make them more marriageable and
second, to give them a chance to get a better position in the afterlife Jackson, p. 15.
It is clear that for this beauty, Chinese women are required to obey the custom to bind their feet. They do not have any choice. By this footbinding
process, every Chinese woman suffers from unimaginable pain. Lily and Snow Flower also feel the same. Yet, when they suffer they remember what the mothers
always tell to the daughters. “I have always told you that a true lady lets no ugliness into her life,” she
said, “and that only through pain will you find beauty.” See, 2005: 138 It is also supported by the following quotation.
When I knew I couldn’t suffer another moment of pain, and tears fell in my bloody bindings, my mother spoke softly into my ear, encouraging me
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
45 to go one more hour, one more day, one more week, reminding me of the
rewards I would have if I carried on a little longer. In this way, she taught me how to endure—not just the physical trials of footbinding and
childbearing but the more tortuous pain of the heart, mind, and soul. See, 2005: 1-2
By the quotation above, it can be seen that Chinese women are forced to
achieve their beauty and grace even though the pain is almost more than they can bear. As truly Chinese women, they obey it without questioning. They understand
very well that their life is to obey, obey, and obey then they get the rewards. Their filial piety will lead them to a bright future after all.
b. Pride
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