Female friendship creates a condition when women influence each other
can make a woman be able to face the challenges of class that exist in Chinese patriarchal society. As Lily and Snow Flower have a different life after they are
married. Lily is married to a husband of a wealthy family background so Lily automatically becomes one of a member of a wealthy family now. Snow Flower on
the contrary, is married to a husband of a more disadvantaged background. Due to the existence of the differences in class, Lily is forbidden to meet Snow Flower by
her mother-in-law. Master Lu and I would look favorably on a daughter-in-law who
decided to break contract with someone who is no longer a true old same. If you need companionship, I will remind you of the young
married women in Tongkou to whom I introduced you. See, 2005: 157
However, Lily is still in a friendship relationship with Snow Flower secretly. Lily rebels for the sake of her friendship relations. As Barlett states, “while
“Rebellion” does involve; a negative activity of resisting oppression, It also acts in a positive way to Affirm human dignity, solidarity, friendship, justice, liberation, and
beauty” Bartlett, 2004: 1. Lily is bold enough to face the challenges of class, which means if Lily still has a friendship relationship with Snow Flower, Lily will be
considered as a dissident because she does not follow the rules that apply in the society and she will disfigure the family name. Lily is bold enough not to follow the
social expectations by opposing or breaking the existing rules where it is actually very risky to herself as a woman. Lily does not see any difference between them. By
facing the challenges of this class, Lily develops a new awareness of herself. She has PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
the courage to remain in a friendship relationship with her friend and does not follow the social expectations because she realizes that she is entitled to do as she wants.
By the existence of the differences in class, instead, Lily utilizes the social status that she has. With her status, she has a power to fight Chinese patriarchal
culture. This power is very visible when her mother-in-law passes away and she automatically becomes the successor of her mother-in-law. She becomes Lady Lu, a
wife of the most respected in the village, Tongkou. By making woman into the position of power, she can develop a strategy that allows them to survive, not only
for herself but for others - her friend. Lily makes the family life of Snow Flower improve economically. The sense of solidarity appears and makes Lily help the life
of her friend. However, Lily asks her husband to help support the life of Snow Flower’s son.
Although it is not my way to interfere with the outer realm of men, I prevailed upon my husband–who had not only inherited Uncle Lu’s
vast holdings but had added to them from the salt business profits and now had fields that stretched all way to Jintian–to find something for
this young man to do besides slaughter pigs. He hired Snow Flower’s son to collect rents from the farmers and gave him a house with its
own kitchen garden. See, 2005: 248
This proves that women are still dependent on men. As Montagu states, “Women have been conditioned to believe that they are inferior to men, and they have
assumed that what everyone believes is a fact of nature. Because men occupy the superior positions in almost all societies, such superiority is taken to be a natural
one.” Montagu, 1953: 23. Women are forced to believe that they are weak and PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
have to depend on men. This is supported by looking at the reality actually happens in everyday life as what Lily did when she asked for help from her husband to help
families Snow Flower. The good thing that happens after that is Snow Flower’s husband who used to be a father who does not care about his son changes into a
caring person. In addition, he also shows his love for his son and his grandchildren.
Eventually the butcher retired, moved in with his son, and began doting on his grandson, who bought big joy to that home. See, 2005:
248
This makes women increasingly believe that they have to depend on men because with the help of men, Lily can help the life of Snow Flower’s family. When
women are dependent on men, it is considered normal for them to ask for help to their husband. Women are unaware that they contribute to the perpetuation of
patriarchal hierarchy. Women still put men as superior. By seeing this condition, women do not have the slightest way out to break down the patriarchal system. As
stated by Rosemarie Tong that to liberate women from oppression, male control over women must be eliminated. Men and women have to eliminate patriarchal ideology
that exaggerates the differences in men and women biologically Tong, 2009: 52. Because women and men are still trapped in this patriarchal ideology, there will be
no changes. By the persistence of this ideology in society that men are superior and stronger, man will always be dominant and they will maintain this position of
dominance. This will eventually make women be inferior and as a result women will always accept that they are weak and have to depend on men.
In addition, Lily also manages to make her offspring and the offspring of Snow Flower govern the house of Lu’s family. “and yet these days my contentment
comes from knowing that Snow Flower’s and my blood will soon rule the house of Lu.” See, 2005: 252. Lily makes her granddaughter become the wife of Snow
Flower’s grandson. Thus, when Lily and her husband pass away, her granddaughter will be the next successor, becomes Lady Lu and Snow Flower’s grandson becomes
Master Lu. This proves that Lily is able to survive in Chinese patriarchal culture not only for the sake of herself and her family but is able to help others, her friend.
Female friendship makes women are able to face the challenges of class and overcome the challenges by survive in a patriarchal culture.