Representing Gender in Chinese Children’s Literature(1920 –2010)

This study investigates the representation of genderrolesin Chinese children’s literature from 1920 to2010, focusingonconstructions of masculinity and femininity in different historical contexts. The paper attemptsto demonstrate the persistence of, as well as departuresfrom, traditional stereotypes about gender roles in China throughout the last century. Although thereis no definite evidence that children’s literature is a deciding factor in the assigning of gender rolesto the youngin China, the influence ofliterary works on how gender is perceived and constructed in society cannot be denied. A close reading of these literary texts offers us insightsinto understanding the changing representationof gender roles in Chinese children’s literature,which reflect changes in society and social attitudes toward gender in mainland China.