Pei Aimin, a 49-year-old woman from Shangxin village in Minqin county of Wuwei, Gansu province, once concealed her natural talent for writing, fearing that her family and community would deem her insufficiently devoted to work and family. This was a common expectation for young women in China’s rural areas, where the norm was for girls to leave school early and focus on marriage and domestic responsibilities. However, Pei and a few others like her longed for something more and searched for ways to express themselves beyond the limited scope of rural life.
Despite the cultural pressure to prioritize family and work, Pei found comfort in literature and discovered her gift for writing. This newfound passion allowed her to broaden her horizons and escape the monotony of daily life in her village. However, she was hesitant to share her talent with others, knowing that it could attract unwanted attention and criticism.
Pei’s story is emblematic of the struggles that many young women in rural China have faced for generations. While some have managed to break free from societal expectations and pursue their passions, many have been forced to conform to traditional gender roles and forego their dreams. This has contributed to a wider cultural perception that women are less capable or interested in pursuing intellectual or creative pursuits.
Despite the challenges she faced, Pei was determined to nurture her gift and ultimately became an accomplished writer. Her journey highlights the importance of empowering young women to pursue their passions and recognize their own worth, regardless of societal expectations or cultural norms. By creating an environment that encourages and supports women’s intellectual and creative development, society can help break down gender barriers and promote greater equality for all.
Pei’s experience serves as a reminder that each person has the potential to achieve great things, regardless of their background or gender. By embracing diversity and valuing individual talents and abilities, we can create a more inclusive and supportive society for all. It is up to all of us to challenge limiting cultural norms and empower individuals to pursue their dreams, regardless of the obstacles they may face.
Pei Aimin’s passion for writing did not diminish after her marriage, but she had to be more creative in finding time to pursue it. With limited opportunities to express herself openly, she had to resort to secrecy to continue writing. She would sometimes water unproductive land just to create an excuse for being outside and reading or writing without being observed. She also found solace under a tree, where she could write about the serene environment and her feelings, but had to quickly hide her papers and pen whenever someone approached.
Pei’s dedication to writing was not understood or supported by her family or community. In fact, they perceived it as a waste of time and a deviation from her responsibilities as a daughter-in-law. Pei stated that “few women in my village could read or write” and that she was often the subject of gossip and ridicule, being called “a nut” by some people.
Despite the challenges she faced, Pei’s love for writing persisted. After years of “sneaking around” to write, she surprised everyone in her village by publishing a book of her own work in September. The book contains her simple yet powerful words and drawings that touched the hearts of thousands of people. Pei’s work served as an inspiration to many, especially young women in rural areas who might feel trapped by societal expectations and lack of opportunity.
Pei’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and determination in the face of adversity. Despite societal pressures and limited resources, she continued to follow her passion and refused to let her dreams be silenced. Her story serves as a reminder that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, has the potential to make a difference and leave their mark on the world.
Pei’s story also highlights the importance of providing equal access to education and opportunities for women in rural areas. When women are given the opportunity to learn and pursue their passions, they can create change and inspire others. Pei’s book is proof that there is an abundance of untapped talent in rural areas that could be harnessed if given the opportunity.
Pei Aimin’s recently published book, Diary of Aunt Vole, is a treasure trove of 365 short diary entries that paint a vivid picture of the natural beauty of the northwestern Chinese countryside. The book also captures the daily life of local people, interesting events in the village, and how life has changed over the years. Pei’s own life experiences and observations form the foundation of her writing, which is a unique reflection of rural China.
Many people were thrilled to finally read a book about rural life that was written by a farmer herself. One reader on Sina Weibo commented, “We finally have a book about farmers’ life written by a farmer!” Another netizen, also a rural woman, expressed her gratitude towards Pei and said, “I have many thoughts, but I cannot write. You wrote what I wanted to say but only kept in my mind.”
Pei refers to herself as “Aunt Vole” because she believes that both farmers and voles work hard in the fields to feed their offspring. Pei first read about voles in Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales, which was one of the few books she had at home. She also read the oldest collection of Chinese poetry, The Book of Songs, the collected works of Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore, and children’s textbooks.
For years, Pei had to hide her passion for writing from her family and fellow villagers. She created secret opportunities to read and write outdoors by watering useless land. Whenever someone approached her while she was writing, she quickly hid her papers and pen. Her family members believed that reading and writing were a waste of time and often gossiped about her. Pei continued to write in secret, “sneaking around,” until she surprised everyone by publishing her book in September.
Diary of Aunt Vole is an inspiring and heartwarming testament to the perseverance of rural women who dare to dream and create despite societal barriers. Pei’s book is a reminder that great literature can emerge from unexpected places and that the most authentic voices are often found in the most unlikely of people. Pei’s writing is a powerful reminder of the beauty and depth of life in rural China, which is often overlooked or forgotten.
Pei’s love for reading was often at odds with the demands of her daily life. Whenever she stumbled upon a new book, she became so engrossed in it that she would sometimes forget about her household chores. She would accidentally burn her food, drench her clothes while watering the crops, or neglect her other duties. One time, she even fell asleep while weeding a cornfield after staying up late to read. Her mother-in-law scolded her for her book reading, causing Pei to feel ashamed and lose her confidence.
Despite her passion for literature, Pei was unable to pursue her education or express her creativity freely. Her mother-in-law disapproved of her reading, insisting that it was a waste of time that would never provide sustenance for the family. Pei’s dreams of becoming a writer were crushed, and she began to talk less and work more. She toiled in the fields every morning and returned home in the evenings to care for her children. Pei’s life was filled with hard work, but her spirit remained unbroken.
Despite the challenges she faced, Pei continued to read and write in secret. She found solace in literature and the natural beauty of her surroundings, which she documented in her diary. Her observations and musings eventually culminated in the publication of her book, Diary of Aunt Vole. The book chronicled the changing seasons and the daily routines of rural life, and it touched the hearts of readers across China. Pei’s success is a testament to her perseverance and dedication to her craft.
Pei’s story highlights the struggles faced by many women in rural China who are denied the opportunity to pursue their passions and fulfill their potential. Despite facing tremendous obstacles, Pei refused to let go of her dreams. Her story is an inspiration to others who may be struggling to find their voice or pursue their ambitions. Through her writing, Pei has created a legacy that will inspire generations to come.
Pei Aimin found solace in writing from a young age. However, being a woman in her farming village in China, she had to hide her passion as it was not considered a worthwhile activity for women. She had to create secret opportunities to read and write, often watering useless land just so she could do it outdoors without being observed. Pei’s family thought that reading and writing were a waste of time, and people gossiped about her, saying that she was a “nut.”
Despite the challenges, Pei continued to read and write, and she surprised everyone in September by publishing a book of her own work. Her book, “Diary of Aunt Vole,” is a collection of 365 short diary entries that describe the natural scenery of the northwestern Chinese countryside during the four seasons, the daily routine of the local people, interesting things that happened in the village, or how life has changed. The book touched thousands of people with its simple words and drawings, and many rural women said that Pei wrote what they wanted to say but kept in their minds.
Pei calls herself “Aunt Vole” because, as she puts it, “both farmers and voles are busy working in the fields to feed their cubs.” Her other readings include The Book of Songs (the oldest collection of Chinese poetry), the collected works of Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore, and children’s textbooks. Every time Pei discovers a new book, she becomes consumed with curiosity, often forgetting to do her household chores or getting her clothes wet when watering crops.
Despite her passion for reading and writing, Pei’s mother-in-law criticized her, saying that it would never bring water or bread. Her words crushed Pei’s confidence, and she talked less as a result. Pei regrets leaving school and not pursuing her passion for writing sooner, but in the quiet deep night, reading helped her forget the unhappiness of life and immerse herself in the freedom and beauty of words.
Opportunity always came as a surprise for Pei. In 2011, a group of college students planting experimental crops in her village noticed that Pei was writing alone. They helped her register a Sina Weibo account, and her account has grown to 79,000 fans. In the spring of 2022, an editor at Central China Normal University Press in Wuhan, Hubei province, visited Pei with an offer to publish her diaries and drawings. Pei said she hoped her book would help readers understand that farm work consists of both toil and fun. In a speech about the book in Minqin county in January, Pei expressed her gratitude for all the books she had read, saying that they showed her a broader world and helped her awaken from a cowardly mindless little wife to an independent and dignified rural woman.
Pei’s book has not only given her the recognition she deserves but has also changed the way people in her village think about reading and writing. Her family no longer objects to her hobby, and Pei hopes that more women in the village will be inspired to learn. She believes that learning is useful and that it can help women become more independent and dignified, just like she did.
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