Sisterhood in Lisa See’s Historical Novels

Abstract

Four of Lisa See’s historical novels: Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Peony in Love, Shanghai Girls and China Dolls are all centered on female friendship. By exploring the complexity of female friendship within specific historical and social contexts, Lisa reveals that under the oppression of patriarchal institution and racism, women can build up sisterhood to unite and fight for better living circumstances. Even if sisterhood is greatly affected by women’s differences in class, ethnicity, and politics, Lisa stresses the significance of sisterhood in emancipating women and promoting social progress. Her writing itself is an act of constructing global sisterhood. She intends to write for Chinese women and contribute to bettering their lives, and yet her identity as a first-world writer confines her. While acknowledging the positivity of her writing, we shall not neglect its limitation.