I have a cycle of normal reading I do in a year, books I keep coming back to over and over because every year I can enjoy them again. Pride and Prejudice is one of those books, of course. But this year I'm re-reading Pride and Prejudice in China, and suddenly I'm seeing the links between that society and this one!
Here are all the ways I see China while reading Pride and Prejudice:
1. Marriage at a certain age is expected.
2. People marry for an odd mix of social climbing and love.
3. If a man has a nice house, he's more likely to get a pretty girl.
4. Girls only want to marry a man who has a nice house and a big income.
5. Income is an openly discussed and expected social topic.
6. Social interactions are strictly governed by a set of hierarchical rules.
7. Social connections rule what options a person has.
8. Money can buy positions for people.
I kept seeing so much of China as I was reading the book that it was no longer an escape book to read but one that dragged me back to where I am!!
Here are all the ways I see China while reading Pride and Prejudice:
1. Marriage at a certain age is expected.
2. People marry for an odd mix of social climbing and love.
3. If a man has a nice house, he's more likely to get a pretty girl.
4. Girls only want to marry a man who has a nice house and a big income.
5. Income is an openly discussed and expected social topic.
6. Social interactions are strictly governed by a set of hierarchical rules.
7. Social connections rule what options a person has.
8. Money can buy positions for people.
I kept seeing so much of China as I was reading the book that it was no longer an escape book to read but one that dragged me back to where I am!!
