讀書筆記 Until Tomorrow ( East and West)

I read the article ‘Until Tomorrow’, in the book ‘East and West’, written by Pearl.S.Buck, published in 1930. The article tells a story about a white married woman who, under the pursuit of her lover, had the idea of leaving her husband. Later, she changed her mind through a conversation with her servant, a Chinese woman. This story reflects some of the women's lives and thoughts on marriage and family during that era. The difference culture between Eastern and Wester.

 1）

(A) Anne Page was a white woman, 37years old, lived with her husband Henry , 40 years old, in China. She had a Chinese servant, she called her Amah, Amah took care of her life very thoughtfully. Amah had husband and three children but the children all died. Henry worked for a tobacco firm. He’ll leave home two days for business. Henry often speak loudly, fussy. Although they have married thirteen years and love each other, Anne didn’t accustomed. Anne hoped Henry leave for she could be calm and rest, and her friend Rodney will come to speak with her.

The evening Henry went away about 8 o’clock, Amah told Anna a tall English man visit her, he is Rodney. Anna was very happy.

(B)Rodney told Anne, he love her and want marry her. But Anne just think Rodney is her friend not lover. Rodney dropped his knees before her. At that time, Amah came in and asked Anne about when bathing. Rodney leaped up and standing by the window. Anne said she will bath at 11 o’clock.

After Amah left, Rodney continued to confide his love. He said he is 43 years old  and has been deeply in love with Anne two years. He no longer loves others.  He will leave here to work at another port, and he hopes Anne leave Henry.

He said Henry doesn't care about the family, three years ago, when Anne’s child died due to cholera, Henry was playing poker outside and didn't go home. It was he comforting her by her side in hospital. Anne said: When Henry went to club, the child was normal, but suddenly died later.

Rodney said: on Christmas Eve after the child's death, he went to her house. Henry went out to play bridge without anyone to accompany her. Anne said: she wanted Henry to go out so she could be quiet.

Rodney knelt down again and begged Anne to go with him!

At that time, Amah came in and said it’s eleven o’clock now. Anne told Rodney she had to think of it before decide, and Rodney went back.

(C)Anne think that Rodney telling was true, he helped her a lot, she could not refuse his love. She asked Amah: ‘ If I must go away, will you come too?’,Amah answered: ‘ Although we are bound together, but I can’t go.’ Anne asked: ‘why not, you have no children, you could go’.Amah said: ‘l have my husband, l can’t leave him’. Anne said: ‘He smokes opium , that is where all your wages go . Has he done anything for you?’ Amah reply: ‘No. He has done nothing for me, shall I  be evil also and do nothing for him’. She said: ‘even from the first day of our marriage, I know what he was. I hated him for a long time.  But he could not do without me, as though I were his mother.I have done all I should do. You are kind to me, if you go,I cannot hope to find another like you’. Anne asked : ‘Do you love him?’. Amah answered: ‘I never asked myself if I loved him . It is not a word used by a woman like me. I have always known what I must do. It is like your own self. Only you are more fortunate than I am. He is so good to you, the master. He never beats you as I used to be beaten. He works for you and gives you money. He needs you every day, he cannot live without you. to serve- it’s our lot.’

Anne lay on the bed , she thought: it was true. What would Henry do without her? No one could replace her, it was the work of her whole life. That was what Rodney would never understand. She said suddenly: ‘I am not going away, Amah’.  Amah: ‘Ah, until tomorrow (see you tomorrow)’ , close the door softly.

2) I think:

Amah was a poor Chinese woman whose marriage is a buying and selling marriage. Before marriage, she did not know her husband, who smoked opium and even beat her. She has no education, so she has to work as a servant . No love. But she still has to focus on maintaining this family and not leaving her husband. A feudal traditional culture.

Anne and Henry are girl and boy from the same small town in the America.Henry came to China to work and brought Anne along. Anne lives in a beautiful house in China, with many servants serving her. Although they love each other, their personalities do not match. Anne fell in love with Rodney and Rodney also fell in love with Anne who has husband. This is an open culture. When Anne and Amah talking, Anne influenced by traditional culture and gave up on Rodney.