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HONGLOU MENG (also known as THE DREAM OF THE RED CHAMBER, or THE STORY OF THE STONE) was written in mid-eighteenth century China and published in 1793. From the first it was received with tremendous interest, although censors found passages to disapprove of. Its closely observed portraits of women, in particular, transformed the traditional Chinese novel and also challenged traditional gender norms. And in attracting women readers in great numbers, it altered the reading public in significant ways. Even today, the novel remains intensely studied. It provides an important window on such diverse matters as garden architecture, constructions of the supernatural, and the ethnic group know as the Manchus, who ruled China from 1644-1911. Moreover, it is a perennial source of inspiration for Chinese cinema and television. Whether it is Taiwan, Mainland China, Singapore, or elsewhere in the Chinese Diaspora, there is no one who has not heard of the troubled love triangle around which this story revolves. We will read the novel, in translation, from beginning to end. Because it is very lengthy, secondary readings will be kept to a minimum, but background material will be supplied during class meetings. In addition, excerpts from HONGLOU MENG-based films and television series will be shown.
COURSE FORMAT: Discussion
Level: UGRD Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: HA AL&L Grading Mode: Graded
Prerequisites: NONE
Last Updated on MAR-21-2005
Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459