Draw Topic & Writing Ideas From This Essay On Determination Of Social Status: The Village Headman And The New Teacher

Literatures generally show evidences about the factors that determine social status in a specific time and place. In the story, The Village Headman and the New Teacher, it shows that in Late Imperial China, those who are rich or who have a position of leadership were regarded highly by other people in the village. People who held a leadership position can give orders and were readily obeyed by their helpers. For example, when Xia, the new village head called for his helper to take his donkey, the latter willingly obliged. Moreover, the high opinion of the leader translates to being invited to important occasions and being served well.
Further, a person in a household who happen to be in a leadership position in the village was highly respected for his opinions. Family decisions were often consulted with him before everything is decided. For example, the discussion about the payment for the lantern dance was discussed only upon the arrival of Xia. This means that his opinions matter most in coming up with decisions such as the dragon lantern dance which was considered as an important event in the village. In another instance in the story, his decision about hiring a new teacher was also consulted, showing how important his thoughts were on this matter.
When eating, the leaders were always invited to sit at the head of the table, and were offered food by the monk. Their serving practices demonstrate how the people of late imperial China revere a member of their family who was in a leadership position. When said said that Xia was not doing bad as a leader, this shows how he was looked up to in the family.