Hidden Letters - Language, Power, and the Voices of Chinese Women
- Balance Learning Resources
- Jun 1
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 2
Grade Level: 10-12
Duration of video: 1 hour, 24 minutes (Lesson can be 2–3 class periods)
Themes: gender roles, silence, language, art, resistance, solidarity, survival, intergenerational relationships among women
Description:
Hidden Letters is a haunting and lyrical documentary that uncovers the secret language of Nüshu—a script invented and passed down in whispers among generations of Chinese women, who, confined by patriarchal norms and silenced by tradition, found solace in each other through the written word. In a world where women were forbidden to learn or express themselves freely, Nüshu became more than a language—it was a lifeline. It allowed women to share their innermost thoughts, griefs, and hopes in embroidered cloth, hidden letters, and quiet songs.
Through the intertwined stories of past and present, the film follows two modern women—Hu Xin and Simu Wu—as they struggle with their own identities in a rapidly modernizing China. As they explore the fading traces of Nüshu, they unearth a powerful legacy of sisterhood and resilience that still resonates today. Hidden Letters becomes both a eulogy and a call to remembrance—reminding us that even in silence, women's voices have always found a way to endure.
LESSON PLAN
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to:
Analyze the role of language as a tool of resistance and solidarity.
Explore how gender roles shape cultural and literary expression.
Compare past and present experiences of Chinese women through the lens of Nüshu.
Reflect on how silenced voices use coded language to reclaim agency.
Materials:
Article: Chinese Feminists Continue to Resist Amidst Repression 30 Years After Beijing Conference on Women
Ask students:“What does it mean to be heard?”
🎥 Viewing Activity:
Hand out: Student Handout # 1
Say: You’re going to watch a film today about Nüshu, a secret language Chinese women invented to build connection when they felt isolated in their society.
Say: As you watch the film, write down your observations to answer these three questions under the appropriate column:
Column 1: Then: The historical roots of Nüshu — Who used it? Why? How was it used?
Column 2: Now: The modern women’s journey — What conflicts do they face in reclaiming Nüshu?
Column 3: Themes: Evidence of silence, resilience, or rebellion.
Paired or Group Activity:
Have students get into pairs or small groups to discuss the observations they wrote on Student Handout # 1
Reunite the class to have each pair or group share.
Discussion & Literary Analysis (Day 2):
What surprised you in the film?
What relationships or personal stories moved you?
✨ Paired Reading Activity
Ask students to get into pairs and read and discuss the article Chinese Feminists Continue to Resist Amidst Repression 30 Years After Beijing Conference on Women.
Culminating Writing Activity:
After students read and discuss the article above, hand out copies of Student Handout # 2.
In this activity, students are asked to connect the article they read with quotes from women in the film and discuss what stories moved them and what else they would like to learn about this topic.
✍️ Creative Extension (Optional)
Personal Reflection: Write a letter in the spirit of Nüshu — addressed to a future daughter or one’s younger self — focusing on silence, strength, or survival.
Analytical Essay: Compare the portrayal of women’s resistance in Hidden Letters to another work studied in class.
Creative Project: Design a visual or poetic piece inspired by Nüshu script and themes from the film.
4. Encourage students to draw connections to other literature they've studied (e.g., The Color Purple, Persepolis, Their Eyes Were Watching God).
📚 Resources for Curious Learners (Optional)
Short historical texts on foot binding, Confucian gender norms, or women’s roles in traditional Chinese society.
UN Women’s Rights Committee Publishes Findings on China and Other Countries (5/30/23)
China’s Government Wants Women to Return to Domesticity, but it’s Already too Late (Human Rights Watch, 11/30/23).
