Stereotypes in Dream of the Red Chamber

Stereotypes in Dream of the Red Chamber

"Falsehood is true when it is true, and there is still nothing when there is nothing. "Dream of the Red Chamber" is the most influential of the Four Great Masterpieces, with the best literary merit and the most imaginative character portrayal. It is a true reproduction of the aristocratic families at the peak of the development of feudal society. From the rise and fall of each family, we can see that the feudal era was most likely to fall into despair. Because of the vivid portrayal of the characters of the Red Chamber, the stereotypes about it are also more diverse.

The meaning of Dream of the Red Chamber is very deep, as the saying goes, "A thousand readers have a thousand Hamlets". In fact, we have very few opportunities to read Dream of the Red Chamber in depth, and I have only skimmed through it. I think the stereotype of "Dream of the Red Chamber" is the understanding of the characters' personalities.

One of them is the playful Baoyu. In fact, when we read, we always look at Baoyu from the perspective of an adult, that is, Jia Zheng's perspective. He does not love the sage classics and only loves to waste his time with his sisters. He has no sense of responsibility, which led to Jin Chuan's jumping into the well and killing himself. He can also be cowardly and inactive, making some of his servants ignore him, and indirectly contributing to Daiyu's death in the final wavering. However, he was always a child. He had the innocence of a child, which was at odds with the feudal social order. He was a bird of prey who enjoyed his freedom, and would break his wings if he was ever confined. His love of finding his sisters is a love of beauty, not a desolation. As a child, it is his nature to seek beauty. He yearns for freedom, wants to be equal with those around him, and aspires to a romantic world of his own. In the end he chooses to become a monk after his examinations, perhaps until the end he is still escaping, perhaps he has seen through the red world.

Second, the reserved Baochai. Baochai at any time out always polite and courteous, is a standard image of feudal noble lady. However, she is also calculating and smooth in dealing with things. She always does things impartially and is loved by all. Even for the most lowly status of Aunt Zhao, she will also express respect. In the end, the Jia family chose Baochai instead of Daiyu perhaps because of this, Daiyu is too blunt, while Baochai's moderation is conducive to the development of the feudal family. We sometimes see her, like Baoyu, going after what she loves and loves, going after beauty. When she sees a butterfly, she will flap it with a light fan when no one is around, which is one of the few episodes in which Baochai shows her true nature. She is so wrapped up in herself that she forgets that she is also a girl, a lover of freedom and the constant pursuit of beauty.

Thirdly, the tragedy of love. The main line of "Dream of the Red Chamber" depicts the growth of the relationship between Bao Yu and Dai Yu, the so-called Golden Jade. But they both ended their lives in tragedy. In fact, the meaning is much more than the simple kernel of tragedy. It is set in a feudal society, and its tragedy is predestined. It has exceeded the meaning of tragedy, it is the rebirth and blooming of life. When we read it, we should not hold pitying sentiment, but should understand the deeper meaning from the exploration of human nature.

The best literature is tragedy. We all like happy endings, but flaws are often inevitable. The only way to better pursue perfection is to have flaws. Each character in the Red Chamber is full of his flaws, but correspondingly there must be his strengths, we should get rid of the stereotypes, to see each character that bland and romantic life.

Twelve women in the dream of the Red Chamber