1. Discuss the significance of the novel and the contributions of the author. 2. Trace the purposes and intentions of Thao Hsueh-chin while writing A Dream of Red Mansions. 3. Cite examples and comment on the feudal official system and the feudal officials in the late Ching Dynasty. 4. Discuss […]
Read more Study Help Essay QuestionsCritical Essays Limitations of the Novel
As should be apparent by now, A Dream of Red Mansions is considered one of the greatest novels ever written, as well as the definitive classic Chinese novel. Nevertheless, it has its historical limitations. It is true that Tsao Hsueh-chin loathes different kinds of decadence, and the crimes of the […]
Read more Critical Essays Limitations of the NovelCritical Essays Artistic Achievement
Tsao Hsueh-chin expounds his principles of literary creation in the very first chapter of the novel. He is opposed to novels that use “the-beauty-and-the-talented-single-scholar” pattern; instead he upholds a literary convention which is based on facts and social reality. By “reality,” however, Tsao Hsueh-chin did not mean that one should […]
Read more Critical Essays Artistic AchievementCritical Essays Progressive Versus Feudal Forces
A Dream of Red Mansions offers us many varieties of conflicts and struggles but of all of them, the primary one is the conflict between the progressive forces (represented by the rebels) and the feudal forces (represented by Lady Dowager, Chia Chen, and Lady Wang). The conflict between these two […]
Read more Critical Essays Progressive Versus Feudal ForcesCritical Essays The Patriarchal Clan System
Among many things, A Dream of Red Mansions is an indictment and an exposure of the feudal patriarchal clan system, its enormous political clout, and the omnipotent authority of the husband. The chapter introducing the Official Protective Charm is a key chapter to better understanding this concept. Here, we learn […]
Read more Critical Essays The Patriarchal Clan SystemCritical Essays Significance of the Novel
Above all, A Dream of Red Mansions reflects the rottenness and decadence of the Ching Dynasty and the inevitability of the end of a long-established feudal system. The theme of the novel is embodied in this revolution. It is also true, of course, that the main thread of the novel […]
Read more Critical Essays Significance of the NovelTsao Hsueh-chin Biography
In the entire history of Chinese literature, Tsao Hsueh-chin (also called Tsao Shan) is recognized as being the country’s greatest realistic novelist. He was born in 1715 to a Han family, some of whom served in the Manchu army. His grandfather Tsao Yin (1658-1712) was one of the most eminent […]
Read more Tsao Hsueh-chin BiographyCharacter List
Chia Ching Chia Tai-hua’s son; father of Chia Chen and Hsi-chun. He gives up his noble title and devotes the rest of his life to studying religion and taking elixirs every day, hoping to become an immortal. Chia Chen Chia Ching’s son; Madame Yu’s husband. His son Chia Jung is […]
Read more Character ListSummary and Analysis Volume III: Chapters 111-120
As Lady Dowager’s loyal maid, Yuan-yang faints from too much weeping over the old lady’s death. After thinking about the hopelessness of her position and her future in the Chin family, she decides to die rather than become a concubine or be married off to a servant. She commits suicide […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Volume III: Chapters 111-120Summary and Analysis Volume III: Chapters 101-110
On her way to the Garden to see Tan-chun, Wang Hsi-feng , to her great horror, sees the ghost of Chin Ko-ching. As a result, Hsi-feng goes to the temple to pray to the Flower-Scattering Saint to ward off evil. She draws a divination lot predicting her future, and the […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Volume III: Chapters 101-110