Cycle 20: Shaman - Feminist

One of my roles for our literature circle this week is the feminist. The feminist tells what is stated and implied about the about the role of women in this section. The section of The Woman Warrior we are reading this cycle is Shaman.

I have read about half of Shaman so far, and by reading this section you learn a great deal about Maxine's mother, a.k.a. Brave Orchid. This chapter starts off with Maxine looking at her mother’s medical diploma. From there Maxine’s mother added with Maxine’s imagination paints a picture for the readers about Maxine’s mother’s experience in medical school.

During this time period women are just starting to explore what options they have in order to give back to the society. Maxine’s mother decides to put herself through medical school with the money Maxine’s father sends to her from Canton. While Maxine’s mother is telling her story, Maxine is looking at the metal tube that holds her mother’s diploma and various photographs.

• There are no snapshots of my mother. In two small portraits, however, there is a black thumbprint on her forehead, as if someone had inked in bangs, as if someone had marked her.
  “Mother, did bangs come into fashion after you had the picture taken?” One time she said yes. Another time when I asked, “Why do you have fingerprints on your forehead?” she said, “Your first Uncle did that.” I disliked the unsure-ness in her voice. (60)

Although women were given the freedom to pursue a career, this quote proves that women were still not fully respected. As Maxine’s mother explained how her brother put a thumbprint on her forehead this implies that men still mark or label women.