Chinese+Traditions

Chinese Traditions of the Past and Present The Chinese have followed many traditions of the past and present. For example, they are sometime expected to go through arranged marriages. These are usually used to become part of a rich family. Children go to school more, and get lots of homework. They are expected to obey the rules at all time, or be punished. Chinese religion also plays an important part in its traditions. They believe in many gods and goddesses, such as the Kitchen God's Wife and the Kitchen God. They have festivels and honor theses gods in many different ways. For example, in the story, Weili compares her unhappy marriage with the legend of the Kitchen God's Wife, which increases her worship of the gods until she becomes more independent and tricks her husband Wen Fu into signing their divorce papers.

In 1949, China was dominated by Communism. Many Chinese fled to America, and most had lost everything, except hopes to have a better future. In America, they often had Chinese American children, whom they wanted to follow Chinese traditions, but also follow American dreams. Although some of these immigrants have joined Christianity, some still worship the gods of China.

Despite being ruled by Communism, China retains many of its old traditions. They still worship the gods of their old religion. They still have arranged marriages. They still go to school more than people do in America. Boys are generally favored over girls,and although this was true in the past, most families leave girls to be raised in orphanges.

In the novel The Kitchen God's Wife, Weili is expected to follow these traditions and suffers from low self-esteem. She is arranged to marry Wen Fu, who turns out to be selfish and cruel. Over time, Weili grows more independent and tricks Wen Fu into signing their divorce papers. She moves to America, marries and has a daughter named Pearl. Pearl is expected to follow traditions, but Weili is more fearful that Pearl is Wen Fu's child, and does not want her to marry someone like him. After she reveals this they reconcile and Weili beomes less strict.