Women in Mission: the Case of Lillian Dickson of Taiwan

Bc. Alexandra Kučerová

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

Táto bakalárska práca sa zaoberá prípadom Lillian Dickson (1901–1983), ktorá sprevádzala manžela Jamesa Dicksona (1900–1967) v misii kanadskej presbyteriánskej cirkvi na Taiwane od 1927 do jej smrti v 1983. Historicko-kritickou metódou sú analyzované dva primárne zdroje: These My People (1958) a Chuckles Behind the Door (1977). Práca skúma úlohu genderu vo formovaní misionárskej práce Dickson. Napriek tradičným genderovým obmedzeniam v kresťanských cirkvách sa Dickson dokázala odpútať od jej úlohy asistentky manžela-misionára a podarilo sa jej zaujať nezávislú úlohu vedenia svojej vlastnej charitatívnej organizácie Mustard Seed. Jej uchopenie úlohy manželky a matky odrážalo tradičné rozdelenie práce a určovalo široký záber jej misionárskej práce. Výskum prezentuje rozporuplný obraz Dickson, ktorá spchochybňovala genderové normy a zároveň rešpektovala patriarchálnu náboženskú hierarchu. V jej prípade sa odráža komplexita sociálnych zmien v dvadsiatom storočí, ktorá sa dá pozorovať aj v rámci misionárskej sféry.

Abstract:

The bachelor’s thesis examines the case of Lillian Dickson (1901–1983), who accompanied her husband James Dickson (1900–1967) in the mission of the Canadian Presbyterian Church in Taiwan from 1927 until her death in 1983. Using the historical-critical method, two primary sources are analysed: These My People (1958) and Chuckles Behind the Door (1977). The thesis investigates the role of gender in shaping Dickson’s missionary work. Despite traditional gender constraints within Christian churches, Dickson broke away from being merely an assistant to her missionary husband and assumed an independent role as the head of her own charitable organisation, the Mustard Seed. Her duties as a wife and mother adhered to the traditional division of labour and reflect upon the wide scope of her missionary work. The study presents an ambiguous image of Dickson, who both challenged established gender norms and respected patriarchal religious hierarchy. Her case reflects the complexity of social changes in the twentieth century, which were also evident within the mission field.

Keywords

Christian missions in the 20th century, women missionaries, gender roles in mission, missionary wives, Presbyterian mission in Taiwan, Lillian Dickson (1901–1983)

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 3. 6. 2024

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 20. 6. 2024
• Supervisor: Mgr. Bc. Denisa Hilbertová, M.A.
• Reader: Mgr. Dorota Tóthová

Masaryk University

Faculty of Arts

Bachelor programme / field:
Chinese Studies / Chinese Studies