Wild Swans, by Jung ChangThe Chinese people experienced rapid changes in their government and culture in the 20th century. Even though ordinary people seem to have risen up against the oppression of the ruling class, freedom and equality often remain out of their reach. For centuries, the dynastic cycle has dominated the culture and collective consciousness of the Chinese people. This process is characterized by unification, followed by prosperity and success, then by corruption and instability, and finally by rebellion and overthrow. This gives way to a new dynasty which would have received the mandate of heaven. In a way, this cycle ended with the fall of the Qing dynasty. This marked the end of more than 2000 years of imperial China. Western influence was about to take over the Chinese government, and many people hoped that the ideals of Western communist philosophy would end an oppression deeply rooted in Chinese political tradition. Unfortunately, for the people who fought for these ideals, the oppression and corruption that their ancestors experienced did not disappear with the death of the Imperial government. The book Wild Swans by Jung Chang is the account of three generations of Chinese women who live and experience the development that led to the communist revolution and leadership under Moa Tse Dung. While the Communist Party strives to destroy the cycle of oppression that warlords and emperors have inflicted on the people, the party is content to re-dress oppression and make its victims look like enemies of the revolution and the nation. ...... middle of paper ...... freedom or independence for its own sake. Becoming a concubine means being given to a man who is not required to treat her with love, compassion or respect, while she is required to provide these services without question. The lifestyle of concubines was described in this book as wicked and vengeful. Concubines within the same household rarely got along and developed bad competitive attitudes. They became victims of the householders, and the only relief from victimization was to victimize others. These ordeals have been experienced by thousands of women and are characteristic of ancient Chinese culture, concerned with honor, respect and loyalty. The mistreatment of women is an example of what the communists were trying to destroy. The ancient ways instantly declared evil after thousands of years of development and direction of Chinese culture..