Wednesday, May 7, 2008
matchmaker's job
Why does the matchmaker have such a big role in Chinese marriages? When Lindo Jong blew out one of the candles, the matchmaker clearly lied about how the candle turned into ashes. Also, the matchmaker said a lot of false things on her wedding day, so why does the Huang family continue to have her as the matchmaker?"The next morning the matchmaker made her proud declaration in front of Tyan-yu, his parents, and myself. "My job is done," she announced, pouring the remaining black ash onto the red cloth. I saw her servant's shame-faced, mournful look. " (page 56)
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3 comments:
Chinese matchmaking has been there forever, as long as I can remember I have heard of it. In a way I think it is part of the Chinese culture. During ancient times especially, match making is frequent, especially in rich families, when they want their sons or daughter to marry another family equal of their statue. Even now there are still marriages that are done through matching, however you don't hire anyone to do the job. Sometimes it would be your own family that will introduce you to other suitable people. I don't think the Huang family knows about the matchmakers' false statements, or rather they choose to think about all the good things that she says. It is a wedding after all, and people only listen to the good stuff and none of the bad stuff.
Still though, it would be better for the Huang family if they knew the real story behind all the false statements. They're really religious, so if they were lied to wouldn't it be a big deal? Also, if a rich Chinese family found out they were lied to, what would happen to the matchmaker? I always think that it will be death, but I don't know, maybe they come up with a different tactic.
I'm not too sure about exactly what the rich family would do but in the ancient Chinese soap opera that my family and I watch, these families usually gossip aroung the neighborhood and try to tear down that matchmaker's name. If things got really out of hand, like they lied and their lie tore the family apart, they may take the matchmaker to court.(But then again this is in the Chinese soap operas. May not be true.)
And matchmaking isn't done anymore, but many people are still practicing arranged marriages. (Usually it starts when you're born.) In the Chinese culture, matchmakers are usued to protect family status like Katherine said, and is also used because some people can't find their significant other and just need to get married to get rid of debts, or other problems. Many married unwillingly to get rid of family problems so their parents and family could live more comfortbaly.
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