Day: March 7, 2019

From Chapter 6, I had felt intrigued by the situation with Granny Liu. I was not sure what the author wanted us to think about Granny Liu. I applauded her for speaking up to her son-in-law for their financial situation, but then I felt ashamed for her when she had to seek the Rong Mansion for help. How do you think the author wants us to view Granny Liu?

Reading further, I looked more into Granny Liu’s character. I read that her story is associated with the saying 刘姥姥进大观园. This phrase translates to Granny Visits Grand Garden and refers to someone who is simple and amazed by luxuries. I think this is demeaning, but not entirely a bad thing considering the appreciation this type of person has towards nicer things.

In Chapter 7, we see Baoyu introduced to a new male character, Zhong. Baoyu reflects on the idea that the two boys have been separated due to their wealth differences.  Then he claims to hate the fact he was born into an affluent and noble family because he could have known Zhong earlier in life. How do you understand the contrast between Baoyu and Granny Liu’s response to wealth?

In Chapter 8 we see that Baochai and Baoyu have similar inscriptions in their jade and locket. How does this novel address the idea of fate? Meanwhile, Baoyu and Daiyu have strong chemistry between them as seen when Nanny Li tells Daiyu to stop pushing Baoyu to keep drinking. How does Baoyu’s relationship between the two girls compare?

The further we delve into The Story of the Stone the more characters we are introduced to. It feels as if not a moment passes without the mention of someone new– which we can be confident in knowing there will be some character development with each person. While confusing, this adds a great deal of value to The Story of the Stone in terms of cultural depth. Cultural traits need not be unrealistically compressed into few characters. With the introduction of a new character we are promised a new perspective of and an added layer to Chinese culture. There are plenty areas of authority and hierarchy that can be explored, but given our limited reading thus far, it may be best to focus on broader topics for the moment.

1. It is stated that Granny Liu is technically not a member of the family but that they were “adopted into the clan” when their grandfathers had been working together. In American culture, if communication is lost between family friends, often times familial-like ties are also lost. This does not necessarily seem to be the case here. At what point would these ties be cut in this relationship? What role does Granny Liu play in the familial hierarchy being that she is neither related to the family by blood or hold a similar economic status? Does she still have any authority or sway in matters?
2. This story focuses mainly on the women living in the garden, which may be assumed to be because the men are likely working. Is this a stylistic choice of our author to portray perhaps a lesser known cultural aspect of China? Or do you think this is because the author finds more importance lying with the women in familial hierarchy?
3. Bao-yu, Bao-chi, and Dai-yu are all obviously different. What significance do their foiling traits hold for the future of their authority within the family? Do you predict that one character will be favored in later years based upon their characteristics? Will any character be disregarded in terms of leadership for any particular reason?
4. What appears to be the most important factor when it comes to authority, thus far in the reading? Gender, age, education, economic status, character, or something else entirely?

Although these chapters had quite a bit of content, I am choosing to keep my reflections on Chapters 6-8 brief.

One of the standout things I noticed in these chapters was the juxtaposition between wealthy rulers and rural, poor citizens. Perhaps Grannnie Liu’s visit to the Jung Mansion is the best example of the strained dynamics between these two social classes. Throughout Chapter 6, the author is careful to separate the lives of Granny Liu and Xi-feng. This same juxtaposition occurs when Bao-yu meets Qin Zhong, a poorer person. When they first meet, Bao-yu laments, questioning, “why couldn’t I have been born in the family of some poor scholar or low-grade clerk? Though I am so much richer and more nobly born than he, what use are my fine clothes but to cover up the dead and rotten wood beneath? O rank and riches! How you spoil everything!” Within these chapters, Bao-yu repeatedly laments being born into wealth. As the author becomes more critical of the ruling families, so does Bao-yu. Throughout the chapters, the author made several comments about the inner-workings of the ruling families, noting that they were beginning to experience hardships. For example, in Chapter 6, Xi-feng notes that, “as we are relations, we ought by rights not to wait for you to come to our door before helping you when you are in trouble; but there are so many things to attend to in this family.” Mentions in Chapter 7 and Chapter 8 are also made as to issues between people in the household.

Reflection Questions

1. In Chapter 6, we spend a considerable amount of time learning about Grannie Liu. How do you think the narrator paints this character? What did you think of her visit to the mansion, and how do think her relatives received her?
2. What did you think of the development of the relationships between Bao-yu, Dai-yu, and Bao-Chi in Chapter 8? What are there personalities like, and how do you think their relationships will ensue in upcoming chapters?
3. What do you think of Bao-yu’s rejection of his family’s wealth? How do you think this will shape his character, and what do you think the author is trying to say about the Qing Dynasty?