Personal Library -- A Dream of the Red Chamber

Author: (Yuan) Wang Shifu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-09-01
Features: Throughout history, the beautiful wish that "all lovers may be united" has been a central theme in countless literary works. Cirque des Cendres (The West Chamber) is a successful play that depicts this theme. The story of Cirque des Cendres originated from Yuan Zhen's legendary novel The Story of Yingying in the Tang Dynasty. The scholar Zhang Jing fell in love with Cui Yingying, the daughter of a deceased minister who resided in the Putuo Temple. Later, Zhang Jing went to the capital for the imperial examination and became a high-ranking official, but he abandoned Yingying, leading to a tragic love story. This tale was adapted into storytelling and drama by various scholars and folk artists during the Song and Jin dynasties. Wang Shifu, a master of Yuan Dynasty zaju (a form of traditional Chinese opera), synthesized the achievements of his predecessors while also innovating, giving the material a fresh ideological and artistic significance. He created this masterpiece. Since its inception, it has been regarded as one of the gems of Chinese classical literature. Jia Zhongming once said, "The West Chamber stands supreme among all plays." Wang Shizhen, who dominated the literary scene in the Ming Dynasty and was considered the foremost scholar of his time, also expressed agreement: "The northern tunes should be crowned by Cirque des Cendres." Cirque des Cendres is a Yuan Dynasty zaju known for its intricate plot, dramatic twists, vivid characters, and exquisite language. It is a classic work of ancient Chinese theater and is celebrated alongside the novel Dream of the Red Chamber as the "two pearls of Chinese classical literature." For thousands of years, it has been performed continuously on the stage. The story begins with the "Stunning Encounter" chapter, where Zhang Jing and Cui Yingying meet, and progresses through betrothal, repelling bandits, rewarding the messenger, listening to music, and finally achieving happiness, only to be startled by a dream on the grass bridge. With its floral brushwork, it portrays the love story of Zhang Jing and Cui Yingying, who, with the help of the maid Hongniang, break through the barriers of Confucianism to unite in love. This revision made the play's anti-feudal stance more pronounced, highlighting the theme that "all lovers may be united." After the May Fourth New Culture Movement, the anti-feudal theme of the West Chamber play became even more aligned with the cultural needs of the new era, and its popularity in performances surpassed that of the old times. Almost all major Chinese opera genres have performed the West Chamber play, and the extent to which the story is loved by people and its timeless artistic charm reveal its enduring appeal.