From Perspective to Ideology: A Study of the Influence of Chinese Wisdom on Pearl S. Buck’s Transnational Feminist Consciousness

Pearl S. Buck’s extensive life experience in China provided her with invaluable intellectual resources, guiding her to transcend the limitations of race, ethnicity, and nationality in addressing the issue of women’s liberation. The “bifocal perspective” she employed, along with her flexible application of the concepts of “seeking common ground while preserving differences” and “holistic thinking” demonstrate the profound influence of Chinese wisdom on her feminist thought. Buck integrated gender, racial, and ethnic liberation within a unified framework, examining both the structural similarities and the varying internal needs of each. Buck broadened the scope of women’s liberation, bringing women of color and Asian women to the forefront of the movement, advocating for the analysis of women’s issues within the complex web of social relations, thereby demonstrating the inclusiveness and forward-looking nature of her thought. Furthermore, she keenly recognized the strength of Chinese women, promoting the Chinese model of women’s emancipation. This stance subverted the traditional hierarchical relationship between East and West, reflecting a critical internationalist consciousness in her thinking.