The Dream of the Red ChamberThe classic eighteenth-century saga—a masterpiece of Chinese literature— about an aristocratic family and a forbidden love during the Qing dynasty. Considered one of the four great classical novels of Chinese literature, The Dream of the Red Chamber is believed to be a semiautobiographical account of author Cao Xueqin and his aristocratic family’s rise and fall, and focuses particularly on the women in his life, including servants. Originally circulated in hand-copied manuscripts, The Dream of the Red Chamber is not only rich with psychological insight, but also enlightening in its portrayal of Chinese society during the Qing dynasty. It is an engrossing epic of imperial politics, friendship, and romantic rivalry, with an extraordinary cast of characters. |
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Common terms and phrases
asked aunt bade caught sight Ch’in Ch'in Chung Chen Chia Cheng Chia Jui Chia Jung Chia Lien Chia Yün Chin chrysanthemums cousin cried door dowager lady Chia eunuch exclaimed explained eyes face feel felt fetch flowers forthwith garden gave girl give hand hastily head heard heart Hsi Jen Hsiang Hsiao Hung Hsüeh P'an inquired jade lady Feng ladyship laughed laughingly likewise Lin Tai-yü listen look Madame Wang mansion matrons matter mind mother nurse observed old goody Liu old lady Chia once P’ing P'ing Erh Pao-ch'ai Pao-yü Pei Ming perceived present rejoined remarked replied round seat senior servant-girls servants Shih Hsiang-yün shouted side smiled smilingly soon speedily T'an Ch'un taels Taoist teapoys tears tell there's things third watch to-day took turned uttered venerable wait waiting-maids walked what's whole wine words young ladies Yü-ts’un Yüan