'Raise the Red Lantern' - Thoughts on Rebellion

RED, the color of fire and blood. Red evokes passion and love. Red also signifies rebellion and danger. Zhang Yimou’s masterpiece Raise the Red Lantern (1991) is a visual treat no doubt, with ravishing color palates and beautiful framing. Beyond the stunning visuals, this is the story of a rebellious young woman. What is the cost of freedom? This question is at the heart of Raise the Red Lantern.

The story revolves around Songlian, an educated girl and the youngest of the four wives to marry Master Chen. We set foot at the Chen Mansion with Songlian, and we never leave the four walls. The mansion plays a vital role in the film, representing the land of the lost where the wives fight for pride, power, and the master’s attention in their own little world. Just like Songlian and the rest of the characters in the film, we are also trapped in a game where the only way to survive is to submit to the authority.

The most striking color throughout the film, red, symbolizes honor, power, and status for the wives. They live in four quarters at four corners of the compound. They ruthlessly deceive, manipulate, and fight so that the master will spend the night with them. One of the quarters lights up with red lanterns every night. The lucky wife receives an exotic foot massage as she is being prepared to please the master. This luxury also brings the wife ownership of the compound for the following day. The so-called foot massage that symbolizes power is repeatedly shown in the film.

Songlian, our protagonist wants to break free of the mechanical marriage and the barbaric exploitation of her dignity. In the end, she is too weak to fight. The closed doors of the mansion managed to reduce her self-worth to the level of the animalistic and wicked first and second wives. In the end, she finally escapes and finds peace at the cost of losing her sanity.

Perhaps conformity is not always the answer to happiness. Rebellion against the tradition requires taking bold steps, and the film’s dismal tone portrays the harsh truth that it’s never easy.

If you were Songlian, would you accept your fate or escape your destiny?