A Comparative Study of Thai Women's Didactic Literature ‘Proverbs for Teaching Women’ (Suphasit Sorn Ying) and Chinese Admonitory Literature for Women ‘女诫’

Abstract

This research article aimed to compare the teachings in two didactic literary for women: the Thai literary work “Proverbs for Teaching Women” (Suphasit Sorn Ying), composed during the early Rattanakosin period and still widely known today, and the Chinese literary work “Chinese Admonitory Literature for Women”（女诫）, one of the four esteemed texts in the “Naree Chaturapakorn” series. This study employed literary research methodology by analyzing and comparing the content found in both women's instructional literatures. The study identified six shared areas of teachings. 1) proper conduct according to time and occasion, 2) self-worth and self-respect, 3) conduct toward relatives and friends, 4) knowing one’s limits, 5) dedication to duties and responsibilities, and 6) conduct toward one’s husband. The study also highlighted the unique teachings in each work. In Proverbs for Women, four distinct areas were emphasized: 1) caution in choosing companions, 2) avoidance of indulgence and temptation, 3) pursuit of knowledge, and 4) thriftiness and frugality. In contrast, the teachings unique to Lessons for Women focused on two aspects: 1) woman’s duties toward her children, and 2) household management according to Confucian Philosophy. The similarities and differences in these teachings were attributed to three key factors: 1) social contexts, 2) philosophical and religious influences, and 3) the perspectives of the authors. Furthermore, this study revealed the characteristics of the ideal woman and the societal expectations imposed on women as reflected in these literary works.