Holding Up Half the Sky: Female Heroine Roles in Chinese Model Ballets--an Evaluation of Red Detachment of Women and White-Haired Girl

This presentation analyzes the evolution and impact of the female heroine characters from Chinese Model Operas during the Cultural Revolution of 1966 to 1976. Specifically, the analysis focuses on the two ballets of the seven... [ view full abstract ]

This presentation analyzes the evolution and impact of the female heroine characters from Chinese Model Operas during the Cultural Revolution of 1966 to 1976. Specifically, the analysis focuses on the two ballets of the seven total operas, "Red Detachment of Women" and "White-Haired Girl", and their respective female heroines, Wu Qinghua and Xi'er. Overall, the research concludes that these figures could not be seen as promoting women's liberation or gender equality, and reflect the rampant sexism in China at the time. The presentation includes an overview and background description of the historical setting of and leading up to the Cultural Revolution, beginning in 1949 with the foundation of the People's Republic of China, and specifically focuses on the lives of women in the spheres of labor, domestic life, sexuality, and gender identity. This background informs the understanding of the female heroine roles and how viewers interpreted them. Additionally, this presentation focuses of two versions of these stories, the popularized ballet from the Cultural Revolution, as well as the previous film editions of the ballets from the 1950s to further analyze the impact of the differences between each version and to emphasize the de-gendering of the female heroines in Model Operas.