Xue Baochai -- A Hundred Voices on the Characters of the Dream of the Red Chamber

Author: Zhou Yuanbin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: Since the Reform and Opening Up, a true climax has emerged in the history of Dream of the Red Chamber studies, and research on Xue Baochai has reached unprecedented heights. The class struggle theory popular during the Cultural Revolution was replaced by an artistic approach, opposing the continued political criticism of Xue Baochai and emphasizing the study of her character from the perspective of the novel's art. The defining feature of research on Xue Baochai during the New Period is its comprehensiveness and depth. Every aspect of Baochai, whether previously studied or not, has been explored during this time. The hermeneutic school, which had been dormant for three decades, became active again, with the siblings Huo Guoling and Huo Jiping contributing articles on hermeneutic research. Research on Xue Baochai's (examination and verification) has also been particularly vibrant, with scholars such as Feng Qiyong, Wu Shichang, Sun Xun, Zhou Shaoliang, Zhai Shengjian, and Wu Xiaonan expanding the study of this character. Works analyzing Xue Baochai from philosophical, sociological, cultural, medical, artistic, culinary, and fashion perspectives have been numerous.
Research on Xue Baochai in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and abroad has been relatively limited, with only some studies and works appearing in modern and contemporary times. However, these have still made significant contributions, such as Huang Baofang's discussion on the design of the Huanyu Garden, Song Qi's medical research on the Lengxiang Pill, Weng Kaoming's interpretation of the symbolism behind changing "green jade" to "green candle" in Xue Baochai's character, and Yan Dongyang's examination of Cao Xueqin's first wife being "Xue Baochai." These are all valuable contributions to the study of Dream of the Red Chamber.
This book compiles and categorizes the valuable perspectives on Xue Baochai research history mentioned above, aiming to provide some benefit to the ongoing study of this character.