Lecture Notes: Lindo Jong - The Red Candle

Main Themes

• Cultural differences in understanding promises
• Arranged marriages and family obligations
• Personal sacrifices for family honor

Key Points

Promises and Cultural Perceptions

• American vs. Chinese perceptions of promises:
  • American promises seen as flexible; contingent on circumstances.
  • Chinese promises viewed as binding and unbreakable.
• Lindo's mother's perspective on promises:
  • She emphasizes the importance and solemnity of promises.
  • Concerns about future generations forgetting the value of promises.

Lindo Jong's Early Life and Arranged Marriage

• Matchmaking and Early Engagement

  • Lindo remembers being chosen by a matchmaker at a very young age.
  • Matchmaker praised Lindo's astrological match with Huang Tai Tai's son.
  • Lindo's value as a girl was in her potential to be a good wife and worker.

• Childhood and Family Dynamics

  • Transition in how Lindo's family treated her post-engagement.
  • Comparison to other girls; focus on maintaining family honor.
  • Mother’s conflicted feelings about Lindo’s marriage.

Life with the Huang Family

• Living Situation and Responsibilities

  • Lindo lives with Huang family after her own family faces financial ruin.
  • Responsibilities included household chores and learning to be a good wife.
  • Lindo was treated more like a servant than a daughter-in-law initially.

• Marriage Experience

  • No romantic connection with future husband, Tyan-yu.
  • Lindo forced to conform to the Huang family’s expectations.
  • Training in domestic skills as preparation for marriage.

Reflections on Personal Sacrifice and Identity

• Lindo’s submission to the Huang’s expectations despite personal feelings.
• Internal struggle between respecting family and maintaining personal integrity.
• Reflection on how her identity and value were shaped by cultural expectations and family obligations.

Important Quotes

• Lindo’s mother: "Obey your family, do not disgrace us."
• Huang Tai Tai's expectations for Lindo to produce a grandson.

Conclusion

• Lindo’s story illustrates the complex interplay between cultural traditions, family expectations, and personal identity.
• Highlights the enduring impact of cultural legacies on individual lives, especially in the context of arranged marriages and family honor.