Four Ruined Realms

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death and gender discrimination.

The main characters of Four Ruined Realms are from Yusan, where women’s rights are limited. Women in Yusan are not allowed to hold a variety of positions, control their money, or wear what they want. In contrast, in Khitan, women have more freedom in their appearances, vocations, and inheritance. The differences are surprising to both female and male characters, and the novel uses their reactions and observations to comment on gender discrimination and traditional gender roles.

Sora observes gender differences more frequently than the other characters. In Khitan, she notes, “Women are not only attractive decoration here but active participants. They hold court—not just among themselves, but with men. Some wear suits and have their hair cut shorter than Euyn’s” (71). The women there also speak to men as equals and change their appearance as they see fit. They actively control their lives. Sora sees the stark contrast with gender roles in Yusan, reflecting that women there have to conform to societal standards and deny parts of themselves. She also notes that the expectations for women in Yusa aren’t something that the men there would put up with, saying, “[M]en aren’t as forgiving of the binds put on women” (34).