Literary Analysis- Dream of the Red Chamber (Cao Xueqin)

By Niña Amato
As someone who truly cherishes literature and delves into its layers, I've chosen Cao Xueqin's
remarkable Chinese novel, Dream of the Red Chamber, as a literary piece that I would like to
give an analysis of in China.

Written in the mid-18th century during the Qing Dynasty, it's widely regarded as one of China's
"Four Great Classical Novels." This book is a vast, semi-autobiographical tapestry, famous for its
detailed portrayal of an aristocratic family's decline, woven with philosophical insights and even
a touch of the supernatural. To truly grasp its depth, I find the historical approach offers the
most revealing path, especially when we look at it through the lens of Marxist literary
criticism. The novel is so deeply rooted in the social, political, and economic world of 18th-
century Qing China that understanding its historical context is simply essential. Cao Xueqin
himself came from a prominent family that lost its standing, mirroring the fictional Jia family's
journey (Hsia, 1968). This makes the novel a poignant reflection of a period when the old
aristocratic order was fading and society grappled with underlying tensions (Feuerwerker, 1975;
Naquin & Rawski, 1989).

Marxist literary criticism is a powerful perspective in this literary piece because it helps us see
how class, economics, and power dynamics play out in the story. Dream of the Red Chamber is
incredibly rich for this kind of analysis. For one, it vividly portrays the decline of the feudal
aristocracy. The central narrative of the Jia family's fall from grace isn't just a personal tragedy;
it's a small-scale version of bigger shifts in Chinese society. The novel shows how this class,
whose wealth came from inherited privilege rather than actual work, was slowly crumbling.
Their ruin, fueled by corruption, mismanagement, and lavish spending, perfectly illustrates the
fragility of a feudal system that just couldn't keep up with changing times (Zhong, 2018).

Then there are the material conditions and social relations. The book paints a detailed picture
of the Jia family's opulent world, their grand mansions, extravagant feasts, and countless
servants. From a Marxist perspective, this shows us how their wealth was built upon and, in turn,
reinforced the exploitation of others. The family's fortunes rested on the labor of many, from
estate managers to the humblest servants, whose lives were entirely dictated by the Jia family's
whims (Wang, 1994). The novel also subtly critiques the very ideologies that propped up the
feudal system. While characters outwardly followed Confucian norms, the story often exposes
the hypocrisy and moral decay beneath the surface. Tradition, it shows, could often mask deeper
corruption and idleness (Zhong, 2018).

Finally, though not a direct critique of capitalism, the novel's meticulous descriptions of
possessions and the characters' attachment to them offer a glimpse into what might be called
commodity fetishism. The objects in the Jia household aren't just things; they're filled with
social status, often disguising the labor that went into making them. Hence, Dream of the Red
Chamber isn't just a story about a family; it is a reflective social commentary. Through the
meticulous account of the Jia family's ascent and decline, Cao Xueqin forcefully critiques the
inherent flaws and eventual downfall of the Qing Dynasty's aristocratic society, rendering it an
exemplary text for a Marxist historical analysis (Spence, 1990; Zhong, 2018).

References

Feuerwerker, A. (1975). State and society in eighteenth-century China: The Ch'ing Empire in its
last decades. University of Michigan Press.
Hsia, C. T. (1968). The classic Chinese novel: A critical introduction. Columbia University
Press.
Naquin, S., & Rawski, E. S. (1989). Chinese society in the eighteenth century. Yale University
Press.
Spence, J. D. (1990). The search for modern China. W. W. Norton & Company.
Wang, J. (1994). The Story of the Stone: A cultural analysis. Princeton University Press.
Zhong, X. (2018). A critical study of "Dream of the Red Chamber" from a Marxist perspective.
Journal of Literature and Art Studies, 8(1), 105-110.
 Literary Analysis- The Tale of Genji (Murasaki Shikibu)
By Niña Amato

While exploring the beauty of Japanese literature, I've chosen to create a literary analysis of the
famous Murasaki Shikibu's seminal work, The Tale of Genji (Genji Monogatari), from Japan.

This literary piece was written in the early 11th century, during the Heian period. It is a
sprawling narrative that is often considered the world's first novel. It intricately details the life
and loves of Prince Genji, exploring the refined courtly society, its intricate social protocols,
aesthetic sensibilities, and underlying melancholy.

To truly highlight the novel’s brilliance, I find the cultural approach to be the most insightful
path, particularly when viewed through the lens of feminist literary criticism. The novel is not
merely a chronicle of events; it is a deep reflection of the highly stratified and aesthetically
driven Heian court, making a cultural analysis paramount. Murasaki Shikibu herself was a lady-
in-waiting, offering an unmatched insider's perspective on the very culture she so meticulously
depicted.

Feminist literary criticism provides an exceptionally potent framework for understanding The
Tale of Genji by focusing on the roles, constraints, and agencies of women within the rigid
patriarchal structures of Heian aristocratic society. The novel offers rich ground for feminist
analysis through several key aspects. Firstly, it meticulously portrays the limited agency and
societal expectations placed upon women within the Heian court. Women, particularly those of
noble birth, were often confined to their quarters, their lives dictated by marriage alliances,
family prestige, and the whims of powerful men (Shirane, 1987). Their education, while
extensive in arts and poetry, was primarily geared towards making them desirable wives or
concubines. The very concept of "marriage by abduction" or informal unions, common in the
Heian period, highlights women's precarious social positions, often left waiting indefinitely for a
man to formally acknowledge them or abandon them (Bowring, 1988).

Secondly, the novel showcased the power dynamics inherent in polygynous relationships.
Prince Genji, as a privileged male, engages in numerous affairs and marriages, creating complex
and often heartbreaking situations for the women involved. From Murasaki's quiet resignation to
Genji's indiscretions, to the poignant suffering of Lady Aoi and the tragic fate of the Third
Princess, the novel sensitively explores the emotional and social consequences for women who
were often without true choice or voice in their own lives. These women frequently found solace
and expressed their deepest emotions through poetry and calligraphy, becoming their primary
means of communication and self-expression within their secluded existences (Mostow, 2005).
Thirdly, The Tale of Genji can be read as a subtle yet powerful critique of the ideals of female
beauty and conduct prevalent in the Heian court. While the narrative revels in describing the
aesthetic perfection of its female characters, it also exposes the vulnerability and emotional toll
exacted by these societal ideals. The pressure to conform to strict beauty standards, cultivate
artistic talents, and maintain an air of aristocratic refinement often overshadowed individual
desires and aspirations, leading to deep psychological distress for many of Genji's lovers and
wives (Washburn, 2007). Murasaki Shikibu, writing from within this very culture, masterfully
weaves a narrative that, while appearing to celebrate the court's elegance, simultaneously reveals
the reflective limitations and often tragic realities faced by its female inhabitants. In essence, The
Tale of Genji stands as a groundbreaking work that, through its detailed cultural portrayal, offers
a critical lens into the patriarchal structures and gendered experiences of Heian Japan, making it
an exceptional text for feminist analysis.

References

Bowring, R. (1988). Murasaki Shikibu: The Tale of Genji. Cambridge University Press.

Mostow, J. S. (2005). The Woman's Hand: Gender and Theory in Japanese Women's Writing.
Columbia University Press.

Shirane, H. (1987). The Bridge of Dreams: A Poetics of The Tale of Genji. Stanford University
Press.

Washburn, D. R. (2007). The Way of the Heavenly Sword: The Japanese Historical Film, 1910-
1945. Wiley-Blackwell.
 Literary Analysis- Si Phaendin (M.R. Kukrit Pramoj)
By Niña Amato
In terms of Thai literature, M.R. Kukrit Pramoj's Si Phaendin, translated as Four Reigns, is an
incredibly insightful window into Thai society. This celebrated novel, first serialized in the
1950s, is a sweeping historical saga that follows the life of Phloi, a woman who is born into a
noble family and lives through the reigns of four pivotal Thai monarchs: King Chulalongkorn
(Rama V), King Vajiravudh (Rama VI), King Prajadhipok (Rama VII), and King Ananda
Mahidol (Rama VIII). Through Phloi's personal experiences, from her childhood in the royal
court to her later life as a wife and mother, the narrative intricately weaves together her domestic
world with the immense social, political, and cultural transformations that reshaped Thailand
from the late 19th century through the tumultuous period of World War II.

To fully appreciate its depth, I believe the historical approach offers the most profound
understanding, particularly when informed by a post-colonial perspective. This approach is
crucial because Four Reigns directly engages with Thailand's unique position as a nation that,
while never formally colonized, faced immense pressure and influence from Western imperial
powers, shaping its modernization in profound ways. A post-colonial lens illuminates Four
Reigns by allowing us to examine how Thailand, despite avoiding direct colonial rule,
nonetheless grappled with the pervasive impact of Western dominance on its identity,
sovereignty, and development.

Firstly, the novel vividly portrays the tension between tradition and modernity as Thailand
navigated the era of Western expansion. King Chulalongkorn's reforms, aimed at modernizing
the country to safeguard its independence, are central to the early parts of Phloi's life (Spence,
1990). The narrative captures the societal shifts as Thailand selectively adopted Western
advancements while striving to preserve its unique cultural heritage, a complex process of "auto-
colonialism" or "semicolonialism" that distinguished it from its directly colonized neighbors (see
research on semicolonialism in Thailand, e.g., by Reynolds, 2005).

Secondly, the novel explores the construction of national identity in the face of external
pressures. Phloi’s life, initially centered on the traditional court, gradually expands to encompass
a changing Bangkok and a nation forging a modern identity. The shifts from absolute monarchy
to constitutional monarchy, and the increasing global conflicts leading to World War II, are
experienced through her deeply personal, yet representative, perspective (Goodreads, n.d.). The
narrative, written by a former prime minister, often reflects a nostalgic view of the monarchy and
aristocracy, which can be interpreted as a cultural mechanism to reinforce a distinct Thai identity
and historical continuity amidst foreign influence, a characteristic often found in national
narratives of states aiming to assert their uniqueness in a post-colonial world (Chaloemtiarana,
2018).

Finally, Four Reigns can be seen as a literary effort to assert Thai agency and resilience in a
world dominated by colonial powers. While it doesn't depict overt anti-colonial struggle, it subtly
highlights the efforts of Thai leadership and society to adapt, innovate, and maintain
independence against overwhelming odds. The characters’ reactions to Western ideas, the
adoption of new technologies, and the political machinations all underscore a continuous effort
to define "Thainess" on its terms, rather than solely as a response to external pressures.

The novel, therefore, serves as a noteworthy cultural artifact reflecting Thailand's complex, semi-
colonial experience, offering a nuanced understanding of a nation striving for autonomy and
identity in a world shaped by imperial ambitions.

References

Chaloemtiarana, T. (2018). Read till it shatters: Nationalism and identity in modern Thai
literature. ANU Press.
Goodreads. (n.d.). Four Reigns by Kukrit Pramoj. Retrieved from
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/665789.Four_Reigns
Reynolds, C. J. (2005). Semicolonialism and the problem of comparison: Thailand and
postcolonial theory. Journal of Asian Studies, 64(4), 843–861.
Spence, J. D. (1990). The search for modern China. W. W. Norton & Company.