Author: Madeline Derango

In chapters 29-30, the author describes a major fight that broke out between Bao-yu and Dai-yu; in fact, the fight got so bad that Dai-yu ripped the tassels off the jade amulet, breaking into a fit of vomiting and crying. Although the two eventually make up in Chapter 30, these chapters continue to have characterize deep, yet psychologically excruciating, relationship between Bao-yu and Dai-yu. In Chapter 32, Bao-yu expresses his favoritism of Dai-yu, noting that she doesn’t waste her time with trivial nonsense. What do you think the author is trying to show with the development of their relationship in these chapters? How does it compare with the development of Ba0-yu and Bao-chai’s relationship development in these chapters?

In Chapter 30, Lady Wang strikes a maid -Golden- after Bao-yu begins flirting with her. Although the author notes that this is the first time Lady Wang hit a maid, the author notes that “it was the uncontrollable anger of the morally outraged that had caused her [Lady Wang] to strike Golden and call her names.” She casts her out of the household after ridiculing her. What do you think the author is hinting at with the complex relationship between Lady Wang, Golden, and Bao-yu? Why does she strike the maid for “corrupting the young man’s mind,” despite the fact that Bao-yu was the one to initiate the conversation?

In Chapter 32, Bao-yu strongly criticizes his family and his position once more. When Bao-yu loses the gold kynlin, he states “oh, losing one’s seal of office is nothing. Losing a thing like this is much more serious” (327). Furthermore, he states “I’m as common as dirt. And furthermore I have no wish to mix with people of his sort” (329). Despite the encouragement of his family to begin mixing with officials and administrators, Bao-yu continues to resist his position in life. What message do you think the author is trying to communicate with this? Why does Bao-yu grow to hate his position in life as the book continues? Is it his relationship with Dai-yu? His femininity? Or another reason?

Objectives
– Demonstrate the importance of literature (including fictional works) in understanding historical events, traditions, and customs.
– Connect legal themes in Hong Lou Meng to a wider historical overview of Chinese law.
– Emphasize how both codified and uncodified laws relates to cultural values, ideas, and history.
– Compare and contrast legal topics in modern China and the United States, using the law as a suggestive vehicle to understand societal similarities and differences between both nations.

Methods
– Powerpoint Presentation/Prezi Presentation
– Possible handout with key terms/ideas

Outline – Law and “Hong Lou Meng”
– Introduction to the Historical Context and the Novel
– Subject to audience present
– Unfamiliar audience – introduction to the dynastic cycle, explanation of the historical context of the Qing dynasty.
– Familiar audience – offer a more nuanced look at the Qing Dynasty, focus more on details of its failure than a broader historical context.
– Introduction of basic characters and connection to the major historical themes of the Qing Dynasty
– Themes include corruption, feudalism, weakening central government.
– Emphasizing what stories can tell us about history, life at a certain period, customs, etc.

Introduction to Chinese Law
– American audience: brief overview of American laws and ideas
– Explanation of common law, codified law, and uncodified law
– Explanation of Chinese law
– Brief overview of Tang Code, reformations under Qing dynasty
– Emphasis on explaining mediation, Chinese values under law (more emphasis on explanation if audience is American)
– China’s criminal law system during the Qing dynasty, codified and uncodified laws.

Hong Lou Meng’s Murder Trials and Codified Law
– Chapter 4 – Feng Yuan and the murder trial
– Details of the case.
– Explanation of court procedure.
– Verdict.
– Corruption, or Chinese values of filial piety?
– Chapter 103 – Murder trial after poisoning
– Details of the case.
– Explanation of court procedure.
– Verdict.
– Connection of two trials to Chinese customs.
– Extra emphasis and discussion on whether or not corruption was present in both cases.
– Connect to scholarly articles on topic, connecting to the historical events of the Qing dynasty and changes in Chinese law.

Uncodified Laws and Customs in Hong Lou Meng
– Explanation of the importance of concepts such as filial piety, hierarchies, etc. in controlling and shaping Chinese life.
– Comparison of the importance of codified law and uncodified law in governing daily life in the Qing dynasty – Examples from the novel of uncodified law governing daily life.
– Connect topics from the novel to historical understanding of law during the Qing dynasty.
– Connection to Chinese and American Law Today
– Summarize findings from Hong Lou Meng
– Connect understanding of the law during the Qing dynasty to Chinese law today
– Compare and contrast legal systems in America and China
– Wrap up.

Note:
– Outline heavily depends on the audience present. If it is an American audience, then there will be more emphasis on explaining Chinese law and connecting it to American law for reference. If there is a Chinese audience, then I will begin with Chinese law and compare it to American law only at the end.
– Historical context also depends on the audience present. If the audience is more knowledgable about China, then a broader overview will be condensed.
– In order to gauge audience interaction and understanding, I will use questions and landmark discussion topics to transition between topics. At the end, I will review my ideas and ask for questions.
– Keeping an engaging, easy-to-follow powerpoint is necessary to keep audience connected.
Video clips? Music? etc.

Reference Materials:
– Passages from Hong Lou Meng
– Chapter 4 – Murder Trial
– Chapter 103 – Chin-kuei’s death
– Scholarly Sources
– Xiaohuan Zhao, “Court Trials and Miscarriage of Justice in Dream of the Red Chamber”
– Valerie Hansen, “The Open Empire”

While several important themes are introduced and expanded upon in Chapters 9-29, I found the growing criticisms of feudalism and power to be the most interesting theme present in these Chapters.

In these chapters, the author provides countless examples of the greed and corruption that define the ruling classes. One of the most interesting ways the author presents this idea is with the character Xi-feng. Xi-feng quickly becomes one of the central characters in the novel, becoming the strongest power in the Jia clan. Although her strong command and personality allows her to run the household smoothly, she can be ruthless in these chapters. For example, Xi-feng strikes a deal with Euergesia, demanding three thousand taels of silver to fix the issues surrounding the affair between Mr. Li and and Jin-ge (141). Although she does not need this money, her greed and corruption prevails. When both people commit suicide, the Zhangs and Lis are brought to misery; however, the author notes that, “the only gainer was Xi-feng, who now had three housand taels of silver to sit back and enjoy at her leisure…emboldened by this taste of success, Xi-feng from now on undertook many more ventures of a similar nature” (144). In addition to misusing her power, Xi-feng is also presented as narcissistic. Others can bend her to their will if they shower her with compliments.

The author also critiques the feudal system in Chapter 18 when Yuan-chun returns to her familial home. During the festival of lanterns, the family goes out of their way to make the place extravagant. Yuan-chun is bothered by the unnecessary extravagance, and the author notes, “Looking at it from the depths of her palanquin she shook her head a little sadly and sighed: ‘Oh dear, this is all so extravagant” (173). The author also notes that Yuan-chun is often unable to visit her family, restricted by the feudal system.

One of the final examples of the corrupting influences of the feudal system is presented in Chapter 25. In this chapter, Jia Huan and his mother Aunt Zhao become a central focus. These characters, who are not direct members of the lineage, will do anything to gain power and wealth. In order to do so, however, they must dispose of Bao-yu; as a result, Jia Huan cruelly throws candle wax at Bao-yu, hoping to maim him. When this proves unsuccessful, Aunt Zhao plots to wound Bao-yu spiritually. This is yet another example of the corrupting influence of power and the inherent issues with the feudal system.

Interestingly, Bao-yu becomes an important juxtaposition to the corruption and power present in the feudal system. Although Bao-yu had always rejected some feudal traditions with his feminine tendencies and hatred of his father, Bao-yu begins rejecting feudal traditions more often throughout these chapters. Bao-yu begins to read Zhuangzi and is deeply affected by the idea that man must follow his own course in life. While many tease him for studying Daoist texts, Bao-yu begins questioning the power and corruption around him. Several examples of his rejection are present throughout these chapters, but I will only list a few here.

In Chapter 25, Bao-yu chooses to take blame for the candle incident. Instead of fiercely protecting his inheritance in the Xia family and blaming Jia Huan, he chooses to take the blame. He also rejects feudal traditions throughout Chapter 28, as is evidenced by the way he treats those lower than him. Instead of looking down upon others, he chooses to embrace and value them, running directly counter to feudal traditions. Finally, Dai-yu and Bao-yu’s relationship runs counter to feudal traditions. The book notes early on that Bao-yu and Bao-chai are meant to be, since her beauty and his personality are the perfect match; however, Bao-yu goes against this idea, expressing his love for Dai-yu several times throughout the later chapters. It will be interesting to see more examples of this in future chapters.

Here are some discussion questions I came up with after reading Chapters 9-29.

1. As I have mentioned, I’ve seen some examples of corruption with characters such as Xi-feng and Jia Huan. Where did you see examples of corruption these chapters, and what do you think the author is trying to say about the Qing dynasty?
2. In the later chapters, Bao-yu and Dai-yu have several instances of romantic tension. How do these interactions relate to larger themes in the book, and what do you think the author is trying to illustrate with this particular relationship?
3. Xi-feng has become a central character in the novel. What do you think about her personality, and how do you think she will shape the rest of the novel?
4. The maids and lower-class characters have become an increasingly present force in the novel. What do these different characters show about feudalism, and how would you describe their characterization? Are they merely pawns to keep the story moving, or are their more important reasons that they are included in the novel?

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?

My name is Madeline Derango, and I am a sophomore at North Central College majoring in History and minoring in Conflict Resolution and Political Science. As a student, I am involved in several campus organizations. I am the fundraising chair of the Mock Trial Team, an editor for the Illinois State Bar Association Journal, a member of the Ethics Bowl, a Leadership, Ethics, and Values Scholar, and a Resident Assistant on campus. In addition to participating in various groups on campus, I have also studied abroad in both Spain and Japan. Upon completing my undergraduate degree, I will attend law school, where I hope to pursue either international law or criminal law.

In my history classes, I have had the opportunity to explore various cultures and traditions, learning about the history of several groups across the world. While I have enjoyed all my history classes, I quickly became captivated by Chinese history after taking a Traditional Chinese History class. Because China has existed for centuries, it has cultivated a rich, dynamic history that captured my attention instantly. After learning more about Chinese history, I began to find Chinese law particularly fascinating; as a result, I did research the integration and application of both uncodified and codified law in Chinese society pre- and post-Tang Code.

In my reading of The Story of the Stone, I will continue to research legal history in China. I will focus my reading of the novel on the application of legal principles to everyday life. In particular, I will study the proceedings and applications of the law in the novel’s two murder trials. I will analyze not only the codified law enforced in the novel, but also the uncodified, unspoken laws that governed society during the Qing dynasty. Uncodified laws can range from informal mediation sessions to the way that people did business. Both codified and uncodified laws shape the legal system of a nation. The law is a critical facet for understanding any nation and its peoples. The legal system of a nation reflects the values and ideas that a community shares; as a result, studying the law can give important insights into culture and history. By analyzing The Story of the Stone through a legal lens, I will gain insight into the values and customs that shape Chinese society. Understanding previous legal systems also gives insight into the current legal system that shapes China. The law is a critical part of society, providing insights into the Qing dynasty culture and society that shaped and influenced modern China.

Below are my questions based on the reading from Chapters 1-5.

We have seen through Bao-yu in the most recent chapters that gender fluidity and identity will play a large role in the novel. What do you think the author is trying to communicate with this idea, and how will it shape the major themes of the novel?

In Chapter 4, the author describes a murder case and the subsequent trial. In this trial, the author makes it clear that there is a level of corruption in the legal system. Do you think corruption was this rampant, or is the author coming from a place of bias?

In Chapter 3, we were introduced more to Bao-yu. While we have only heard some of his story, do you think he will come to be characterized as a hero? An antihero? How do you think his characterization will change throughout the novel.

How do you think the lavishness and the wealth of the families is portrayed in the novel? Is it positive/negative, and will it change throughout the novel?