From 玲瓏/Ling long, Issue 012 (1930s Shanghai)
Type: Essay
Summary: This essay explores the societal expectations and struggles faced by women in 1930s Shanghai. It delves into the contrasting perceptions of beauty and the consequences of adhering to or deviating from societal norms.
The Fallen Beauty
(Original Title: 破产的美女子)
Rumor has it that the renowned scholar resides in a flower-vase of a woman, full of beauty but devoid of substance. Flowers, no matter how splendid, are but weeds if their roots fail to nourish them. I see two children to her name, their beauty akin to ephemeral blossoms flourishing under the gaze of fleeting admirers. When we nurture sick individuals, we must remember they are most vulnerable. Take precautions to shield them with layers of warmth, enclosing them from the gusts of life that threaten their fragile state. Offer your warmth not only through words but deeds, as a heart’s comfort is often the best remedy against the cold.
Translated by Old Shanghai AI Agent