The Confucian Four Books for Women

Ann A. Pang-White is Professor of Philosophy and Founding Director of Asian Studies at the University of Scranton, Pennsylvania. She is the editor of Bloomsbury Research Handbook of Chinese Philosophy and Gender (2016) and the author of over a dozen articles on Chinese and comparative philosophy as well as medieval philosophy.

Ann Pang-White's The Confucian Four Books for Women: A New Translation of the Nü Sishu and the Commentary of Wang Xiang is a welcomed and important addition to the current crop of English translations of Nü sishu, a major didactic text for women's education in late imperial China...Overall, Professor Pang-White offers a lucid and trustworthy translation that serves as indispensable source for scholars who are interested in Chinese women's thought and Confucianism.

• AcknowledgementsNote on Editions, Commentaries, and TranslationChronology of Chinese DynastiesEssential Classic Chinese Terms with Corresponding English Translation Introduction: Uncovering the Confucian Four Books for Women: Why Nü sishu? Why Now? I. The Han Women: Ban Zhao and the Lessons for Women (c. 45-117)IntroductionWang Xiang's Biographic Introduction of Ban ZhaoOriginal Preface to This Work by Ban ZhaoChapter 1 The Lowly and the WeakChapter 2 Husband and WifeChapter 3 Respect and ComplianceChapter 4 Women's ConductChapter 5 One-MindednessChapter 6 Conceding ObedienceChapter 7 Harmony with Younger Brothers-and-Sisters-in-Law II. The Tang Women: The Song Sisters and the Analects for Women (?-820/825)IntroductionWang Xiang's Biographic Introduction of the Song SistersOriginal Preface to This Work by the Song SistersChapter 1 Establishing One's PersonChapter 2 Learning the WorkChapter 3 Learning the RitualsChapter 4 Rising EarlyChapter 5 Serving One's ParentsChapter 6 Serving Parents-in-LawChapter 7 Serving One's HusbandChapter 8 Instructing Boys and GirlsChapter 9 Managing the HouseholdChapter 10 Hosting GuestsChapter 11 Harmony and GentlenessChapter 12 Guarding One's Integrity III. The Ming Imperial Women: Empresses Renxiaowen and the Teachings for the Inner Court (1361-1407)IntroductionWang Xiang's Biographic Introduction of Empress RenxiaowenOriginal Preface to this Work by Empress RenxiaowenChapter 1 Virtuous NatureChapter 2 Self-CultivationChapter 3 Prudent SpeechChapter 4 Careful ConductChapter 5 DiligenceChapter 6 FrugalityChapter 7 WatchfulnessChapter 8 Accumulating Good DeedsChapter 9 Becoming GoodChapter 10 Revering Sagely TeachingsChapter 11 Admiring Wise Role ModelsChapter 12 Serving One's ParentsChapter 13 Serving One's RulerChapter 14 On Serving Parents-in-LawChapter 15 Performing Religious RitesChapter 16 Model MotherhoodChapter 17 Friendly Relationship with Family ClansChapter 18 Benevolent Love for the YoungChapter 19 Treating Imperial ConcubinesChapter 20 Treating Imperial Consorts' Maternal Relatives IV. The Ming Women: Madame Liu and the Short Records of Models for Women (c. 16th century)IntroductionWang Xiang's Biographic Introduction of His Mother, Madame LiuChapter 1 Unifying ThesisChapter 2 Queenly VirtuesChapter 3 Model MotherhoodChapter 4 Filial ConductChapter 5 Chastity and ArdencyChapter 6 Loyalty and RighteousnessChapter 7 Benevolent LoveChapter 8 Upholding Ritual ProprietyChapter 9 WisdomChapter 10 Diligence and FrugalityChapter 11 Talent and Virtue Appendix: Liu Xiang's Biographies of Women vis-à-vis Wang Xiang's Four Books for Women: Comparative Timelines and Categories of Women's VirtueBibliographyIndex