Eyebrow Talk was a significant Chinese literary magazine that emerged during a pivotal period in China from November 1914 to around April or May 1916. Notably, it was one of the initial literary magazines in China aimed specifically at a female audience, thereby marking a progressive shift in the representation of women in literature during this era. The magazine was founded and overseen by Gao Jianhua, who served as the editor-in-chief and played a crucial role in shaping its editorial direction. Under her leadership, the magazine was characterized by a predominantly female editorial staff, including Xu Xiaotian and at least ten confirmed women writers who contributed content, expanding the scope of female voices in the literary landscape. Interestingly, the magazine also featured contributions from male authors who opted to write under female pseudonyms, indicating a notable interplay between gender and literary identity at the time.
The New Learning Society, which primarily specialized in publishing educational materials such as school textbooks, was responsible for the publication of Eyebrow Talk. The magazine achieved a remarkable circulation of approximately 10,000 copies by 1915, a significant figure that underscores its popularity and reach among readers. This initiative is particularly noteworthy in the context of its time, as it not only addressed literary interests but also potentially fostered new discussions about women's roles in society and literature.
While most literary endeavors of the period were typically male-dominated, Eyebrow Talk’s focus on women's perspectives allowed it to carve out a unique niche in the cultural domain. This was a time when China was experiencing a variety of social changes, including shifts in traditional gender roles and increasing advocacy for women's rights. Eyebrow Talk's blend of literature aimed at women, alongside a professional editorial team composed mainly of women, represented a significant cultural moment that contributed to the evolving narrative around gender in early 20th-century China. The legacy of Eyebrow Talk serves as a reminder of the complexities of gender in literature and highlights the contributions of women writers and editors during a transformative period in Chinese history.