Zhishanyuan Criticism of the Dream of the Red Chamber (Volume 1 and 2)

Author: Cao Xueqin (Qing Dynasty)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-06-01
Features: "A wild tale of madness, a heartbroken tear! Though all say the author is mad, who understands the depth of it?" The well-known novel Dream of the Red Chamber is a masterpiece that embodies Cao Xueqin's life's work. The story, centered on the tragic love between Jia Baoyu and Lin Daiyu, weaves together the rise and fall of the four great families—Jia, Wang, Shi, and Xue. With vivid characters and a poignant love story, it is a timeless classic that can never be fully read or discussed. The edition of this book is based on one of the eleven extant ancient manuscripts of Dream of the Red Chamber, which is the most complete and authentic preservation of the author's original draft. It allows readers to experience the true style of Cao Xueqin's original manuscript and directly appreciate over 2,100 precious annotations left by his "red and white jade confidante," Lü Yanzhai, on the Gengchen manuscript, offering unique artistic, academic, and bibliographic value.
The establishment of classical masterpieces in Chinese literary history is, of course, primarily due to their unique charm. However, it is also closely related to the efforts of numerous insightful literary critics who rigorously analyzed and commented on these works after their publication. Names like Li Zhuo, Jin Shengtan, Mao Zonggang, and Lü Yanzhai are inseparably linked to Journey to the West, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Water Margin, and Dream of the Red Chamber. They not only pioneered a new era in the history of Chinese classical novel criticism but also helped readers delve deeper into the essence and charm of these classics through their critiques. Lü Yanzhai, in particular, is irrevocably tied to Dream of the Red Chamber. His annotations reveal a close relationship with Cao Xueqin, though the exact nature of their connection remains a subject of debate, with theories ranging from them being the same person to Lü Yanzhai being the prototype for Shi Xiangyun in the novel, or simply close friends. Regardless of who Lü Yanzhai was, his critiques of Dream of the Red Chamber undoubtedly added brilliance to the already magnificent Grand View Garden, captivating readers even more and leaving later generations with endless speculation about the fates of the characters in the remaining eighty chapters.
That day, Lin Ruhai taught his daughter to cherish life and take care of her health, advising her to finish eating her meal before drinking tea to avoid harming her stomach. This detail subtly reflects Lin Ruhai's scholarly demeanor. Brilliant! Now, Daiyu saw that many things here did not conform to the customs of her home and had to adapt. She made a series of changes, including drinking tea and rinsing her mouth as others did. After finishing her handwashing, tea was served again, and only then did she drink it. This incident is a brief portrayal of Daiyu's adjustment to life in the Grand View Garden.
Grandmother Jia said, "You may leave now. Let us talk freely." Upon hearing this, Lady Wang quickly rose and chatted for a few more moments before escorting Li and Feng away. Grandmother Jia then asked Daiyu what books she was reading. Daiyu replied, "I have just finished reading the Four Books." Excellent! The author of the Dream of the Red Chamber often uses the phrase "possessing the knowledge of five carloads of books" to describe such characters. Daiyu then asked her sisters what books they were reading. Grandmother Jia said, "What books are they reading? They can recognize only a few characters, but they are not blind." Before she could finish, a sound of footsteps was heard outside the courtyard. It came at the same time as Feng Yuhuan's arrival, yet they did not interfere with each other. A maid entered and laughed, saying, "Baoyu is here." I was pleased. Daiyu was puzzled in her heart: This Baoyu was such a foolish and carefree person, his words and actions lacking refinement, failing to capture the essence of the main narrative. He seemed to come from the Records of the State Council. A muddled and unruly child?—If only he were not such a fool! But this fool was not the fool, yet he had an even greater fool to deal with—how marvelous! Just as she was thinking this, she saw a young gentleman enter before the maid had even finished speaking. He wore a purple gold crown with embedded jewels, tied at his brow with a gold ribbon adorned with two dragons fighting for a pearl. He wore a red arrow-sleeve robe of two-colored gold, embroidered with a hundred butterflies amidst flowers, fastened with a long silk sash woven with colorful patterns. Over it, he wore an eight-embroidered brocade robe with hanging tassels, and on his feet, small court boots with white soles. His face was like the full moon of mid-autumn, his complexion like the flowers of spring dawn, his temples neatly cut, his eyebrows as dark as ink, his eyes like peach petals, and his pupils like the autumn waves. Though angry, he seemed to smile, and though scolding, he showed kindness. Truly a masterful portrayal. Around his neck was a gold dragon rosary, and he wore a five-colored silk sash tied to a precious jade. Daiyu was greatly startled upon seeing him. How strange! She thought to herself, "This is so familiar—it seems as if I have seen him before. How could he be so familiar?" Indeed. She must have met him by the banks of the Spirit River on the shore of the Three-Life Stone in a past life.
Seeing that Baoyu had greeted Grandmother Jia, she ordered, "Go see your mother." Baoyu turned and left. After a short while, he returned, having changed into different attire. His short hair was tied into small braids, tied with red silk at the top, where his natural hair was gathered into a single long braid, shiny as lacquer. Four large pearls were strung on gold pendants, hanging from the end of his braid. He wore a half-worn silver and red embroidered robe, still adorned with his jade pendant, amulet, and protective charm. Below, his loose silk pants with floral patterns and brocade edges, along with his ink-dyed silk socks and thick-soled red shoes, made his face even more pale and rosy, his lips as red as ointment, his gaze full of emotion, and his words often accompanied by laughter. His natural charm lay in his eyebrows, while his lifetime of thoughts were all gathered in his eyes. Though his appearance was excellent, his true character remained unknown. Later generations composed two couplets in the style of West River Moon, which perfectly described Baoyu. The couplets read:
"Without reason, he seeks sorrow and grief,
Sometimes appearing foolish or mad.
Though born with a fine appearance,
His mind is but a wilderness of grass.
Unable to handle worldly affairs,
He fears reading literature.
His behavior is eccentric, his nature unruly,
Unmindful of the world's scorn!
Rich, yet unaware of happiness,
Poor, yet unable to endure sorrow."