The Story of the Stone, or The Dream of the Red Chamber (1740-50 (published 1791))
Go here for day two and the quiz on the story.
China in 20th Century not really a direct descent
from Ancient China, owing to the Chinese Cultural
Revolution, in which the “olds,” including Confucianism, was
seen as the cause for the backwardness and the inequity of China (with some
cause). Chinese literature effectively curtailed by rigorous censorship from
the 1930’s until well into the 70’s and the demise of the Gang
of Four—now a new generation of vibrant voices emerge, including Gao
Xingjian and Wang
Meng (recommende short stories—“The Anecdotes of Minister Maimati,”
and “The Kite Flyers.”
For 20th Century Chinese History, see Zhang Yimou’s
early films, especially To
Live, but also Raise the Red Lantern and Red Sorgum.
Vernacular Novel. Also popular is Monkey,
or Journey to the West.
Autobiographical of Cao’s family. Cao
Xueqin (1715-63) Bannermen
served as the elite of the Banner army. Offered their services in exchange for
political appointments, special privileges, gifts of land and goods. Cao grandfather
is the Commisioner of Texile Imports at Nanking. In 1728, when Cao was about
13, the new emperor took the family down (stripped of commission and confiscation
of goods).
In the novel, the Jia family’s decline will
mirror that of the Cao family. We see how personal family fortunes are inextricably
linked to the affairs of state (who’s in control). We also have driven
home for us the message about the illusory nature of things in the material
world, which have a tendency to vanish.
Uncertain authorship (especially the last 40 chapters).
Qing
Dynasty –the dynasty by the Manchu or Manchurian rulers that lasted
from 1644 until the end of dynasties in 1911 (Chinese
Revolution).
This will be an unfamiliar reading exercise for most of us, but as we go on,
some of the imtrigues and interactions between characters will come to have
the kinds of tensions and resonance we expect from literature. In addition,
the novel gives us some insight into historical China—the philosophies,
religious attitudes, and social systems that affected all aspects of life in
that huge country.
Question: How much of China today is affected
by the traditions of ancient China (role of the Maoist revolution in eradicating
the “olds”).
We keep these systems of thought or behavior in
mind as we examine the text.
Confucianism—Based
on the legend of Confucius (551-479 b.c.e.) His main influence in his life was
to compile the books of poems that were to become the 4 books. His sayings,
or analects, are compiled by his disciples. An ethical system guiding social
interaction and responsibility. Emphasizes order, authority, duty, and loyalty,
is extremely patriarchal and respectful of age. Social and familial hierarchies.
Taoism—Lao
Tsu. Where yin and yang comes from, represents another kind of order that is
not striving or rigid, but is like the order of the flow of a river or stream.
Finding enlightenment through self-effacement. Emphasis on individual freedom,
spontaneity, mystical experience. Rejection of formal, learned wisdom (the antithesis
of Confucianism).
Buddhism—Founded
in the 6th century B.C.E. Spread from its origin in India throughout East and
South East Asia. Says man’s sufferings are caused by desire, and we rid
ourselves of worldly attachments on the way to achieving nirvana.
The most indispensable page—73!
Jia Bao-yu—the son of the patriarch, Jia Zheng
Lin Dai-yu, or Black Jade, his sickly lover. Incarnation of the Crimson Pearl
Flower.
Xue Bao-chai, or Precious Clasp, healthier, more sensible, and in some ways
more beautiful than Dai-yu. Bao-yu’s other lover.
For Day One, let’s run through what some
of the elements that should stick out are in the plot (and try to suggest why
these elements are there).
In Chapter 1 we get the story of the stone. Later,
we are to believe, in the character of Bow Yu we get the story of the stone
in its incarnated, earthly form.
The first encounter with the stone, by a monk and a Taoist, results in the pledge
to inscribe upon it words of great import to signify the special nature of this
stone. (mahasattva Impervioso and the Taoist Mysterioso. Then discovered by
the Taoist called Vanitas).
The conversation between Vanias and the stone
is a kind of metafiction, descriing the nature of this stone’s ‘literature”
against other popular forms (the historical romances, erotic novels and boudoir
romances).
77. the allegorical nature of the names of the places, like
Carnal Lane, Worldly Way, etc. This precedes the story of Zhen Shi-yin, who
becomes, in a sense, the first audience to the story of the Zhen family. In
the story of this monk and Taoist, the fairy Disenchantment plays a role. It
also becomes the story of the watering of the Crimson Pearl Flower.
The land of Illusion is the staging area for the birth of these “amorous
young souls” who are to be born into the illusion of human life. We kind
of learn that this whole encounter of Shi-yin has been a dream, when a rather
ragged pair accost him.
80. Segue to the story of the meeting of Yu-cun and Zi-xing
in a tavern after Yu-cun had entered the Temple of Perfect Knowledge. Here Zi-xing
begins the tale of the Jia family to Y-cun, who is a poor relation.
82. The story of the birth of Bao-yu, born with the piece of
jade with a lot of writing on it in his mouth. Sheng the father is very keen
on study (Confucian).
Bao-yu—girls are made of water and boys are made of mud.
83. another gap in the narration. The introduction of Dai-yu,
who “has taken medicine since she could eat. In comes Perppercorn Feng,
who is really Wang Xi-feng.
85. Note Dai-yu’s discomfort with the seating arrangements
(showing the Confucian character that remains). The first cup of after-diner
tea is just to rinse the palate.
86. Significant fact that Dai-yu is studying the Four Books.
See how the two are familiar to each other from some vague “before”
(when he was the jade stone and she the Crimson Pearl Flower).
88. Bao-yu’s tantrum about the jade.
Chapter 5
In which Xue Bao-chai is introduced.
Then the crucial scene and the “flower viewing party” at which Bao-yu
becomes tired and asks to take a nap. Qin-shi’s room (the red chamber?)
Fit for an immortal to sleep in.
What is the point of the dream? That Love leads to disenchantment? Look at the
final lesson given on 94, that all love is an illusion. He doesn’t seen
to get that after his “marriage” to Ke-qing, but. . .
Chapter 17. The inspection of the new garden. The relationship of Jia Zheng
and Jia Bao-yu.