Author ｜
Jin-chu Huang
Abstract ｜
Late Qing period was the pivotal moment for Chinese modernization, and also the period for political, social, cultural, and literary transformation. The intellectuals, male as well as female, began to face a new and wide world and forming a new unprecedented world perspective. In 1907, Bing Yan in New Chinese Women Magazine《中國新女界雜誌》 put forth the idea of “woman of cosmopolitanism” to encourage Chinese women to welcome the world with new morality and new spirit. Female intellectuals sought to change their mindset and behavior so as to participate in the current affairs and adapt to the new historical situation. Their aspirations and endeavors were like a lantern in the darkness of past history, guiding women forward towards a bright future. This paper aims to explore the meaning and significance of “women of cosmopolitanism,” investigate the basic ideas and claims of this concept, and map out the key concerns and perspective.
keywords ｜
cosmopolitanism, woman periodicals, New Chinese Women Magazine, Bing Yan, late Qing women