​WOMEN AND LITERATURE

Ho Xuan Huong’ voice in her poems was a huge breakthrough. That was evident through the pure Vietnamese language, inspirations from traditional sources, and the metaphors.

After all, we of the modern day can thoroughly understand Nguyễn Du’s concerns and receive his message through Hoạn Thư.

The book has lain dust-covered on the shelf for a long time. Rarely do I revisit Virginia Woolf’s ‘A Room of One’s Own,’ but each reading still evokes the same sentiment - that these lines are not merely about feminism or gender inequality. Furthermore, Woolf also discusses literature in ‘A Room of One’s Own.’ But why specifically a ‘room of one’s own’? Why did Virginia so adamantly assert that ‘a woman needs money and a room of her own to write’? The mystery unfolds a new dimension of unresolved questions. Indeed, it gives us much to explore in this article, so dear readers, find your own ‘room’ so we can ponder together!

Appearing in the form and essence of a fictional character in the namesake novel by the literary genius - Lev Tolstoy, one might wonder, does Anna Karenina only exist within the realm of printed pages, or has the story of her life transcended the fiction-reality boundary and become a resolute voice in a society filled with prejudices against women?

Emerging within the classic literature tapestry set in Georgia and Atlanta, Southern United States, during the Civil War era and Reconstruction period, Scarlett O’Hara came to light as a delicate yet proud flower blooming among the masses within the pages of the timeless novel "Gone with the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell. Scarlett starkly contrasts with the conventional perceptions of femininity of her era. She refuses to conform and defies societal mores of her time, rather, she embodies a breath of fresh air, a modern force willing to express herself, to live true to her thoughts and love aspirations, and above all, she has the nerve to rise and shatter the gender divide - that supposed unassailable stronghold of the contemporary society.

We hope every one of us women can become the princess in our very own stories, with no need to depend on anyone. 

The female gaze on war had truly given us goosebumps, for every sentence they wrote could possibly portray a reality of bloodshed and meaningless war in all perspectives.