Title: The Maiden: The Dilemma of Life and the Search for Human Nature in a Feudal Society
Breaking point: In feudal society, the maid is not only the master's maid, but also a symbol of human exploitation and human tragedy. Their existence reflects the division of social classes, the abuse of power, and the distortion of human nature, which deserves our in-depth consideration and reflection.
In ancient feudal society, the status and fate of maids often attracted much attention. They are not only the servants of their masters, but also the epitome of social class and human predicament. As Wang Xifeng said in "Dream of Red Mansions": "Even the girls in our house, their taste and quality can surpass some foreign ladies." Behind this sentence, it reflects the unique status and life situation of the maid in Jiafu.
The maids in Jiafu are such as Raider, Qingwen, Ping'er, Mandarin Duck, etc., although they belong to Jiafu, their temperament and taste surpass ordinary ladies. This phenomenon is not accidental, but the influence of power and status in feudal society on the life of maids. However, not all maids can enjoy such privileged treatment, and most of them still bear the responsibility of serving their masters, and their existence reflects the reality of social productivity and class divisions.
As a direct product of the surplus of productive forces, maids are the products of class differentiation and exploitation in feudal society. Their existence is a manifestation of social class differences, the exploitation and control of labor by the masters. In ancient times, wealthy families bought maids to serve themselves, treating them as products of private ownership, a human right that was extremely limited, and could even be subjected to violence and oppression by their masters.
However, the maid's life is not all smooth sailing. Although on the surface, some maids enjoy a certain amount of human security, in reality they are still in a vulnerable position. In feudal society, maids often face beatings, scolding, murder and even mutilation by their masters, and their lives are full of uncertainty and danger.
There are many kinds of maids, including prisoners of war, daughters of poor families, and daughters of declining families. They are purchased or hired by their masters to become their property and labor. Under the rule of feudal society, the maid almost lost control of her own destiny and became the object of the master's arbitrary mercy.
When analyzing the ownership of maids, they can be divided into two types: lifelong and merit-based. Lifetime maids sign a deed of sale, and once the contract is signed, their ownership is entirely owned by the purchaser. The hired maids have certain human rights and freedoms, but in the feudal society, which is an era of "money and power is the law", it is difficult for them to get rid of the absolute control of their masters.
In feudal society, the life of a maid often attracts much attention. Some maids are able to become the master's cronies and even participate in the decision-making process of the master's family. However, most maids are passive and marginalized, and their fate is dictated by the preferences and moods of their owners.
Although the lives of the maids are full of difficulties and challenges, they also have their own worth and dignity. Under the oppression of feudal society, the maids showed a tenacious will to survive and the pursuit of self-worth. They may not become aristocratic ladies, but their existence is a mirror of the power and humanity of feudal society, which is worthy of our in-depth thinking and reflection.
Today, we have shaken off the shackles of feudal society, but the story of the maid is still touching. Their fates reflect the division of social classes and the distortion of human nature, and remind us to cherish freedom and respect the dignity of others. Perhaps, only by remembering history can we move forward better and build a more fair and humane society.