The novel describes the tragic experience of Xianglinsao's life. It reflects the social contradictions in China after the Revolution of 1911, profoundly exposes the destruction and persecution of working women by the landlord class, reveals the cannibalistic nature of feudal ethics, and points out the necessity of thoroughly opposing feudalism.
The functions of three descriptions of appearance:
The first time: I saw Sister Xianglin for the last time by the river. Sister Xianglin is "white hair five years ago, but now it is all white, unlike people in their forties;" His face is thin, yellow and black, and his previous sad face is gone, as if it were woodcut; Only blinking can show that she is a living thing. She is carrying a bamboo basket in one hand and a broken bowl in the other. The bowl is empty. Holding a bamboo pole longer than her in one hand, the lower end is cracked: she is obviously a beggar. " This is the first description of Xianglinsao at the beginning of flashback, but it is actually the last description of Xianglinsao's appearance in her life sequence before her death: older than five years ago, with gray hair out of proportion to her age, dark and thin face, numb expression and ragged clothes. All this implies that Xianglinsao's situation is not only worse than when she first went to Lujia (unfortunately but still strong at that time), but also worse than when she went to Lujia for the second time (tragically but alive at that time). At this point, her body was destroyed and her spirit was dead. The appearance at the beginning of this flashback describes the unfortunate climax, creates an appreciation suspense for the reader, and guides the reader to go further below.
The second time: "I" first met Sister Xianglin in Lujia, and it happened that Sister Xianglin's husband died and escaped. When she first arrived in Lujia, "I wore a white rope, a black skirt, a blue jacket and a moonlight vest on my head. I am about 26 years old, my face is blue and yellow, but my cheeks are still red ... My hands and feet are growing, I just followed my eyes and didn't open a mouth. " This second appearance description shows that she is young, obedient, silent, strong and capable, and she has settled down in Lujia for the time being. This passage has pointed out her misfortune, but also hinted at the hope of struggle, so despite her hard work, she "gradually smiled at the quarrel and turned white and fat."
The third time: Sister Xianglin was snatched from Lujia, sold to the mountains, and returned to Lujia after her husband died and her son died. The second time I saw Sister Xianglin, she looked like "wearing a white rope on her head, a black skirt, a blue jacket and a moonlight vest. Her face was blue and yellow, but her cheeks were gone and her eyes were full of tears." For the third time, her appearance is not as energetic as before.
The three descriptions highlight the details of eyes, summarize the misfortunes of Xianglinsao's life, and reveal the persecution and destruction of working women represented by Xianglinsao by feudal system and feudal ethics. There are differences in similarities and similarities in three kinds of appearance descriptions, which play a role in finishing the anti-feudal theme.
2. Xianglinsao's psychology:
(1) chastity view:
Xianglinsao is an ordinary rural woman, but she is deeply influenced by the feudal concept of chastity. Thus, the feudal thought is very harmful to China people, which is not only deeply rooted in the mind of a conservative squire like Mr. Lu, but also goes deep into the bottom of society. The more fiercely Sister Xianglin resisted remarriage, the deeper she was poisoned. Not only does the world think that Xianglinsao's remarriage is a sin, but even she has always been ashamed of remarriage, mentally exhausted and fearful.
(2) superstition:
Superstition is an important part of feudal cultural thought. Superstition also poisons Xianglinsao's mind. If she didn't feel guilty about remarriage, her fear of ghosts and gods might not be so strong. Because of this guilt, she wants to get rid of it, to make amends, and naturally to seek superstition. She donated the threshold and thought she was rid of sin, but she was not recognized by society. So she's "like walking out of a cave during the day"