The Status Of The Middle-and-Low Level Woman In The Spring And Autumn And The Warring States Period

The period of the spring and autumn and the warring states is one changing period in the history of China, in which the neo- etiquette was born and the old etiquette was destroyed, appears an incredible changing from the loose to the rigorousness. It sustains the old etiquette,and the loose of the changing period, and the original form of following periods. On this background, it's very important to study the status of the middle-and-low level woman. They represent the large group of people in that society, thus reflect the reality of that society. This thesis analyzes the status of middle-and-low level woman on the three aspects of the marriage, the etiquette and the society, based on the predeceased woks and the original materials.This thesis has three parts.The first part: Marriage embodied in the status of women in the middle and lower. This part analyzes the aim, the freedom and daily life of the marriage differences between the high level and the middle-and-low level women, thus represents the reality and daily life of the middle-and-low level woman. Marriage basic harmonious, has the independent choice right and remarries righteousness, but the initiative of divorce tends to the male, and the feminine status declines.The second part : Ceremony law embodied in the status of women in the middle and lower. Etiquette as norms of behavior bounds women's lives. According to the education of etiquette, the middle and lower classes of women are not only in a weak position in their weddings, but also have clear differences during different levels. In family life, female is restained by the etiquette, she has to serve her parents-in-law as well as her husband, and give birth of the next generation, In plural marriage (concubine), the woman must deal with some questions of the different levels. Even though in some abnormal circumstances, the status of women is slightly higher than men, but does not reverse the overall status of women.The third part : Social activity embodied in the status of women in the middle and lower. As their different activities, social pluralism and service occupations reveal their different social class levels and the social reality. Debauchery develops and the human sacrifice highlights their humble status.