Alvin John P.

Tolentino 11-Fibonacci

01/21/20

Reaction Paper on “Raise the Red Lantern”

Raise the Red Lantern by Zhang Yimou is a film that revolves around the story of wives

and concubines where a young woman becomes one of the mistresses of a wealthy man and must

learn to live and adapt to their household norms. The film established a society of male

dominance over female, where a more powerful man has the rights to command his individual

for whatever the reason within his household (1). It was shown by the master where his wealth

asserts his superior position over his concubines and servants. In addition, the role of women

within the household is mandated by the customs and traditions of the Chen family thus defines

how should concubines and servants within the house should socialize among themselves (1).

Women portrayed by the society are submissive, having no freedom of choice and voice and

accepts the condition of being unequal (1). They are expected to obey and support their family

just like what Songlian did for his mother. At a young age, she had become one of the mistresses,

marrying Chen against her will.

Polygamous marriage is evident from the film, allowing men to marry as many wives as

they want as long as the man can provide all the needs of his family. Master Chen married his

fourth mistress, had the power to decide where he would stay for the night and to manipulate the

events portrayed in the film. It was evident when Songlian saw Meishan hanged in a room at the

rooftop and called his master a murderer, of course master Chen wouldn’t want him to be called

like that, so he insist of saying that Songlian just saw nothing and had gone insane. The

relationship between Chen and his wives are purely sexual (2). He can manipulate his

concubines according to his interests and desires. Only men have the access to education (2) that
is why Songlian is lucky to be educated. At some point, the mistresses have the power over the

master, although relatively

less powerful (2). The master’s desires can’t be fulfilled without the help of his mistresses in

exchange of lavish lifestyle such as one can decide what food she wants to eat, getting a foot

massage, and one who receives the most attention from him and the servants. Of course, the

mistresses have the power over the servants to command and ask them for anything that they

needed (2).

The film revolves around a young woman living a life within a male-dominated society

suggesting it in a women’s perspective (3). It shows the life of Songlian, who is forcefully

married to a wealthy man named Chen. She tries to adapt the norms and culture of his master and

follows him even if it is against her will. It is hard for her to escape her situation and abiding her

master’s rules is the only means of survival. In fact, the women’s role portrayed in the film was

for sexual purposes only.

Her father passed away affecting her family and education due to financial problems. At

that point, Songlian begins to agree with her mother to stop her studies at the university and

marrying a wealthy man is the answer for their destitute life (4). Moreover, the marriage

portrayed doesn’t have an intimate affection toward one’s partner (4). In reference to the film,

roles given to women are dictated by the customs and traditions of the household, giving less

opportunity and freedom for themselves. Household rules involves incentives and rewards to the

chosen mistress, introducing a world of competition among the four wives in exchange of lavish

lifestyles (4). I believe living in this condition would change my perspective about the society

and accepting it would be my only guarantee that I will survive. As what I’ve said earlier, men

can have polygamous marriage as long as they can provide the needs of his family (4).
 As I watched carefully throughout the film, I have noticed few things, places, or even

people that symbolizes different characteristics and traits. First, the lanterns symbolize privilege

and power within the household (5). As we can see in the film, master Chen picks out his chosen

wife by lighting up a lantern within her premises. Second, the color red which symbolizes lust,

sexuality, as well as power (5). Throughout the film, red emerges from the black and white tone

of the background. It is also believed that red brings luck and fertility as well as celebration,

that’s why the four wives are competing to get the attention of their master in exchange of lavish

lifestyle. Third, having a son means power, bloodline and privilege (5). Having a son will ensure

the family’s ancestry and will keep the family customs and traditions alive. The concubines will

do everything to get themselves a son. Fourth, lavish lifestyle which represents competition

among the four wives. (5). They will do anything to get their master’s attention, in exchange for

foot massages, their ability to get what they want, etc. Lastly, the thick and towering concrete

walls around Chen’s compound symbolizes like a prison with no contact to the outside world.

(5). As shown in the film, the concubines were kept on their houses with the same layout as the

others.

I, as a viewer, depicts the film as a medium of spreading awareness on how men treated

women unfairly. Women shown in the film lacks freedom and control over themselves. The

relationships between the master and his four wives were purely sexual. The master was a

violator of women’s rights and should be punished accordingly. I felt anger and disgust on how

men treated women poorly. I am a man and I will never do that to women, although men should

be held accountable and responsible for what they’ve done to others. Women are also part of the

society and have right’s just like we, men, have. I think that one way of stopping it would be

changing the perception of other people towards women.