Document 7.2: Ban Zhao, Admonitions for Women, “Introduction,” ca. 106 C.E

The opening sentences of the introduction to Admonitions for Women set the tone for the whole work. Ban Zhao began with an act of humility, describing herself as “unsophisticated, unenlightened, and by nature unintelligent.” She credited her parents for any positive traits she might possess. And yet, in many ways these professions of weakness underscore her accomplishments and the value of her advice. After all, despite her lack of natural gifts, she survived and even thrived at court, gaining the experience and knowledge that she now sought to pass on to her daughters. As you read Ban Zhao’s introduction, think about how she sought to present herself to her readers. What made her a particularly appropriate person to offer advice to other women?

I, the unworthy writer, am unsophisticated, unenlightened, and by nature unintelligent, but I am fortunate both to have received not a little favor from my scholarly father, and to have had a cultured mother and instructresses upon whom to rely for a literary education as well as for training in good manners. More than forty years have passed since at the age of fourteen I took up the dustpan and the broom in the Ts’ao family [the family into which she married]. During this time with trembling heart I feared constantly that I might disgrace my parents, and that I might multiply difficulties for both the women and the men of my husband’s family. Day and night I was distressed in heart, but I labored without confessing weariness. Now and hereafter, however, I know how to escape from such fears.

Being careless, and by nature stupid, I taught and trained my children without system. Consequently I fear that my son Gu may bring disgrace upon the Imperial Dynasty by whose Holy Grace he has unprecedentedly received the extraordinary privilege of wearing the Gold and the Purple, a privilege for the attainment of which by my son, I a humble subject never even hoped. Nevertheless, now that he is a man and able to plan his own life, I need not again have concern for him. But I do grieve that you, my daughters, just now at the age for marriage, have not at this time had gradual training and advice; that you still have not learned the proper customs for married women. I fear that by failure in good manners in other families you will humiliate both your ancestors and your clan. I am now seriously ill, life is uncertain. As I have thought of you all in so untrained a state, I have been uneasy many a time for you. At hours of leisure I have composed in seven chapters these instructions under the title, “Lessons for Women.” In order that you may have something wherewith to benefit your persons, I wish every one of you, my daughters, each to write out a copy for yourself.

From this time on every one of you strive to practice these lessons.

Source: Nancy Lee Swann, trans., Pan Chao: Foremost Woman Scholar of China (New York: The Century Co., 1932), pp. 82–83. © The East Asian Library and the Gest Collection, Princeton University.

Questions to Consider

  1. According to the introduction, why did Ban Zhao write the Admonitions? What purpose did she hope it would serve?
  2. Should we take Ban Zhao’s professions of unworthiness at face value? Why or why not?