Winnie's mother has been described as a "traditional Shanghai woman", strong-willed and independent-minded. She desired a loving marriage, but at that time in China, women were expected to be submissive, so she became the second wife of a man she didn't care for. After his death, Winnie also suffered the same mistreatment. During her youth in China, Winnie lived a burden-free life because she had a rich father and status in her town. However, her status did not end the discrimination she faced as a woman. Thanks to her status, Winnie could have a bright future, but she had to obey her father's wish and ended up ruining her beautiful life by marrying an abusive husband. Winnie's father, Jiang Sao-yan, told Winnie before her marriage that her husband's desires and opinions came before her own. Therefore, despite their position and social class in society, women are powerless when it comes to deciding how they want to live their lives.