Learning:
The
Journey of a Lifetime
A
Cloud Chamber of the Mind
2006 Literature Notebook
The Story of the Stone vol. 1
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Learning: 2006 Literature Notebook |
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The Story of the Stone vol. 1 |
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| Introduction | ||||
| Setting | the capital city |
| Characters | Lin Dai-yu. [2, 3, 4, 5] Young daughter of Lin Ru-hai. She received tutoring from Jai Yu-cun but now she is being brought up by the Jias of Rong-guo mansion. Grandmother Jia. [3, 4, 5] Patriarch of the Jia Rong-guo mansion. Jia Qin-shi. [3, 5] young wife of Jia Rong of the Ning-gue mansion of the Jia family. Xue Bao-chai. [4, 5] Xue Pan's sister. Disenchantment. [1, 5] A fairy. Ke-qing. [5] A fairy. |
| Action | Xue Bao-chai makes a favorable impression in the Jia household, resulting in some natural jealousy between her and Lin Dai-yu. Grandmother Jia attends a reception at the Ning-gue mansion with her family. Bao-yu becomes tired and Jia Qin-shi lets him sleep in her bed. While asleep he has a dream where he sees the fairy Disenchantment as well as the soul of Qin-shi. Disenchantment hopes to implant some amorous thoughts into some nearby humans. By Bao-yu thinking about a saying on an archway about passion, he attracts the attention of the demon Lust, who inserts a little of his poison into Bao-yu's body. Disenchantment then shows Bao-yu some registers that describe the future for a number of Jinling women. The information provides clues about the future for many of the women in this story. Disenchantment then introduces Bao-yu to a group of fairies who were expecting her to introduce Crimson Pearl. Disenchantment explains that she was asked to do something to help Bao-yu become less irresponsible by his relatives who are concerned about the future of their families. "It is my hope that a full exposure to the illusions of feasting, drinking, music and dancing may succeed in bringing about an awakening in him some time in the future." [p. 137]. The fairies enjoy some wine and watch a troupe of 12 dancers interpret "A Dream of Golden Days". Disenchantment then offers Ke-qing to be his bride and instructs him in the art of love. They spend the evening together. Bao-yu then awakes. (Ke-qing is the name that Qin-shi used when she was a girl). |
| Comment | This story is beginning to look a lot like a Greek epic, with the gods interacting with humans, not always to good effect. There is a good discussion of different types of lust on page 146. |