Self-expression in the poetry of Xi Peilan (1762-1831?): negotiating relationships between men and women writers in the mid-Qing China

Abstract

In general, it is true that women writers during the Ming and the Qing dynasty were signifieantly more prolific and successful, as compared to the literary activities of women in previous dynasties in Chinese literary history. Xi Peilan was one such prominent female writer who also produced her own anthology, Changzhen ge ji, in the mid-Qing China. Therefore, in this thesis, Xi Peilan and her literary works have been examined in order to have a better insight into the literary works of women writers at that time. Two key areas, personal and societal circumstances, have been focused in order to explore the meaning of Xi Peilan’s literary activities in the context of socio-cultural milieu of the mid-Qing dynasty. In particular, the interpersonal relationships were critical to understand Xi Peilan’s literary works, as she actively established various relationships with other writers during her life.