Welcome to My Research Blog
My name is Madeline Derango, and I am a senior studying History, Conflict Resolution, and Political Science at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois. This summer, I had the unique opportunity to travel to China to pursue research on Hong Lou Meng. Here, you can explore both my trip to China and my research as it continues to develop.
Written by Cao Xueqin in 18th-century China, Hong Lou Meng – otherwise known as Dream of the Red Chamber or The Story of the Stone – tells the story of the rise and fall of the powerful Xia family. Considered one of China’s four great works, the novels’ expansive 120 chapters act as an encyclopedia of knowledge on Chinese life during the Qing Dynasty. Cao Xueqin masterfully introduces the reader to a wide variety of topics ranging from fashion, romance, and traditions to politics, medicine, and law.
Today, Hong Lou Meng remains an integral part of Chinese culture; in fact, its stories and characters can be found on the gaokao, China’s national college entrance exam. While the novel continues to hold a place in Chinese society, its stories remain foreign to most Americans. Through our research project, we hope to bring the stories of Hong Lou Meng – and the lessons it teaches us about China – to an American audience.
“They [the Jias] are not able to turn out good sons, those stately houses, for all their pomp and show.” – HLM, Chapter 2
Born with jade in his mouth, Jia Baoyu is the reincarnation of the stone. Raised as the heir to the Jia family, Bao-yu is spoiled by Granny Jia. Much to the frustration of his family, Bao-yu is an effeminate character son who refuses to take on responsibility. He constantly rebels against his Confucian father; in fact, instead of completing his studies, Baoyu prefers to write poetry, read short stories, and talk with the women of the garden. Despite his refusal to study, Baoyu is shown throughout the novel to be an intelligent, compassionate character.
Early in the novel, Baoyu forms a close relationship with his cousin Lin Daiyu. Connected from a previous lifetime, the two characters eventually grow feelings for one another. Their love ends in tragedy when the Jia family decides that Baoyu was fated to be with Xue Baochai. After the collapse of the Jia family and the death of Lin Daiyu, Baoyu retreats from society and becomes a monk.
“Why grieve to watch / The Wheel of Karma turn? A moonlike purity remains / My constant goal.” – HLM, Chapter 87
Born to a Jinling scholar official, Lin Daiyu’s world is turned upside-down when her mother dies. Forced to move into Granny Jia’s household, Lin Daiyu becomes a critical character in the novel. Frail and prone to illness, Daiyu at first may seem weak; however, she proves to be a strong, proud character. She excels at poetry and music, and her unique beauty catches the attention of Jia Baoyu.
Upon meeting Jia Baoyu, Lin Daiyu falls in love. While their love grows throughout the novel, Lin Daiyu was never fated to be with Baoyu. After learning of his marriage to Xue Baochai, Lin Daiyu burns her treasured love letters from Baoyu. Her grief causes her to fall ill, and she eventually passes away.
“Ne’er leave me, ne’er abandon me:
And years of health shall be your fee.” – HLM, Chapter 8
The only daughter of Wang Xifeng, Xue Baochai is the ideal Confucian woman. Graceful, polite, and beautiful, Baochai acts as a foil to the temperamental, emotional Lin Daiyu. Xue Baochai is admired by all the staff and servants of the household, and she quickly becomes comfortable with helping to run the household. She is also a talented artist, writer, and musician.
As a young girl, Xue Baochai was given a golden locket by a monk. Inscribed on the locket is a message very similar to that of Jia Baoyu’s jade; as a result, the Jia family believes Baochai is destined to marry Baoyu. Although she expresses love towards Baoyu, Baochai meets a tragic end when she learns that her husband, Jia Baoyu, will always love Daiyu.
Over the course of 120 chapters, Hong Lou Meng covers an incredible number of topics; however, for my research, I chose to focus on the role of law in the novel. Often ignored by scholars, readers, and students, law is an important part of the novel; in fact, Cao Xueqin chose to dedicate an entire chapter to the murder trial of Xue Baochai’s older brother Xue Pan. Still, despite its prominence in the novel, little work has actually been done on its role.
It may not be apparent at first, but law reveals a great deal about the culture, social norms, and ideals of a country. According to law professor Naomi Mezey, “when law and culture are [traditionally] thought of together, they are conceptualized as distinct realms of action and only marginally related to one another.” However, a closer look at the law reveals a deeper understanding of the values that a culture holds. The way the law is written – and the way the law is enforced – are just important for understanding culture as topics such as music, politics, and theater.
In Hong Lou Meng, there are two major instances where law is explored: Xue Pan’s initial trial in Chapter 4 and Xue Pan’s second trial in Chapter 85, 86, 99, 100, and 119. These trials closely mirror historical trials from the Qing Dynasty, demonstrating that power could lead to great corruption. In my research, I am exploring how Hong Lou Meng’s portrayal of law connects with Chinese society today.
By a judicious bending of the law to suit the circumstances, Yu-cun managed to arrive at some sort of agreement whereby the plaintiffs received substantial compensation and went off tolerably well satisfied…[but] Yu-cun for some time went about in great discomfort of mind.
– Xue Pan’s Trial, Hong Lou Meng, Chapter 4
Interested in knowing more about Hong Lou Meng? On the North Central College ASIANetwork fellows research blog, you can find a wide variety of topics including business, architecture, education, and poetry. You can also find our thoughts on various chapters from the novel.
You can find my classmates’ thoughts and research here.
Dream of the Red Chamber 