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Women as Pleasure-Seekers in the Amusement Halls of Early Republican Shanghai

Sat, April 2, 8:30 to 10:30am, Washington State Convention Center, Floor: 6th Floor, Room 614

Abstract

The cult of amusement, or more precisely of youxi (play or games), is often considered as a representative yet transitional (or even elusive) culture of the early republican period in the metropolis of Shanghai. However, previous studies of such a culture have tended to focus on aspects of expression with little consideration for reception. What is assumed, hence, is a mass audience that was passively attracted to imported rides, folk performances and glamorous courtesans; and where the presence of women was almost seen as a synonym for the existence of pleasure-providers. This paper challenges that assumption. Basing on an extensive research and a close-reading of relevant periodicals, such as New World Daily, Great World Daily and Eden, it surveys representations and policies about female visitors to these halls. It also reconsiders the presences and implications of courtesans, salesladies and female attendants. Together they bring forth a discussion of subjectivity and pleasure as mediated and negotiated. This, hopefully, would offer a more gendered approach to the understanding of the culture of amusement and the pleasurable mechanisms involved.

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