Three Essays on the Dream of the Red Chamber

Author: Xu Naiwei
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-12-01
Features: This book is the result of years of research by Professor Xu Naiwei of Nantong University. It primarily examines the characters, authorship, and versions of Dream of the Red Chamber. The "Authorship" section argues that Cao Xueqin was not the author of Dream of the Red Chamber but rather an editor who reviewed and revised the text, as well as the first batch of annotators before Lü Yan's additions. Through analysis, it concludes that Cao Xueqin's uncle, Cao Yan, was the original author of Dream of the Red Chamber. The "Character Analysis" section conducts an in-depth study and analysis of the main characters in the novel, exploring their possible endings and providing character analysis and aesthetic appreciation based on these findings. The "Version" section confirms that the Jia Xu edition was derived from the Ji Mao and Geng Chen editions. Originality, novelty, depth, practicality, and a return to the essence of the matter are key features of this book.