Victorian Lady traveler in China: Isabella Bird and Her Journey Across the Yangtze Valley and Beyond

Bc. Diana Gálovičová

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

Táto práca skúma skúsenosti viktoriánskej cestovateľky Isabelly Bird (Isabella Lucy Bishop) počas jej cesty v Číne na konci 19. storočia, ako je zdokumentované v jej knihe „The Yangtze Valley and Beyond: an account of journeys in China, chiefly in the province of Sze Chuan and among the Man-tze of the Somo territory” (provincia S'-čchuan a územie Mosuo). Štúdia využíva historický rámec a analýzu primárnych a sekundárnych zdrojov na odhalenie toho, ako Bird zaznamenávala a interpretovala prejavy britského imperializmu a činnosť kresťanských misií v Číne. Kľúčové zistenia poukazujú na Birdovej kritiku kultúrnej necitlivosti a paternalizmu niektorých misionárov, spolu s jej odporúčaniami na rešpektovanie čínskej kultúry v misijných aktivitách. Táto práca prispieva k hlbšiemu pochopeniu cestovania viktoriánskych žien a interakcií medzi západnými cestovateľmi a čínskou populáciou počas tohto konkrétneho historického obdobia.

Abstract:

This thesis examines the experience of the Victorian traveler Isabella Bird (Isabella Lucy Bishop) during her journey through China in the late 19th century, as docu-mented in her book “The Yangtze Valley and beyond: an account of journeys in China, chiefly in the province of Sze Chuan and among the Man-tze of the Somo territory” (Si-chuan province and Mosuo territory). The study employs a historical framework and an analysis of primary and secondary sources to uncover how Bird recorded and in-terpreted manifestations of British imperialism and the activities of Christian missions in China. Key findings highlight Bird's critique of the cultural insensitivity and paternalism of some missionaries, along with her recommendations for respect-ing Chinese culture in missionary activities. This thesis contributes to a deeper un-der-standing of Victorian women's travels and the interactions between Western travelers and the Chinese population during this specific historical period.

Keywords

Victorian woman travelers, Isabella Lucy Bird, British imperialism in China, Yangtze Valley, Foreigner – Chinese encounters, Christian missionaries in China

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. Karolína Králiková

Masaryk University

Faculty of Arts

Bachelor programme / field:
Chinese Studies / Chinese Studies