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Chinese Dreams

In: Social Issues

Submitted By mwarimuga
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‘The Theme of Marriage and Conflict in ‘The Story of the Stones (vol. 1)’ ‘The Story of the Stone’ also called ‘A Dream of Red Mansions’ offers us a variety of struggles and conflicts but in of them, the prime one is the clash between the feudal forces (Chia Chen, Lady Dowager and Lady Wang) and the progressive forces (rebels). The conflict between the two forces is generally reflected in marriage controversies and the love affairs among Lin Tai-yu, Chia Pao-yu and Hsueh Pao-chai. Due to the enormous differences in power between the two conflicting parties, the feudal forces achieve the upper hand, whereas the progressive forces succumb in failure. Consequently, the love between Tai-yu and Pao-yu is fated to end in disaster. Marriage is personal and should be left only for the couple to decide without any social or relation ties. The fundamental storyline of the novel focuses mostly on the Chia family and their high social class. The author also talks of a concubine in the Qing dynasty and this brings awareness to the readers about existence of polygamy in the Qing dynasty. This practice was and still is restricted to some areas of the world. However, according to this dynasty, it was allowed and mostly practiced in the royal families where power meant everything, women inclusive.
The eldest grandson of Duke Ning-kuo, Chia Fu dies young, so the subsequent grandson, Chia Ching, thrives to the father’s title after his death. His father is Chia Tai-hua. However, given that his heart is set on a spiritual life, he surrenders his title to his child, Chia Chen, and dedicates his energy and time to religious learning, hoping to turn out to be an immortal after his death. Chin Pao-yu, the main character of the novel, stands for the progressive forces. He is a revolutionist living in a typically feudal, noble family. Instantaneously after he was born, the pathway to

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