Learning:
The Journey of a Lifetime
A Cloud Chamber of the Mind

2006 Literature Notebook

Wang Xi-feng ("Peppercorn" Feng) (Mrs. Lian): [3, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22] Wife of Jia Lian, a beautiful young woman (about 18 - 19 years old), who is responsible for much of the management of the Rong-guo mansion.

Jia-Lian. [7, 12, 16, 21, 22] Son of Jia She and Jia Zheng; husband of Wang Xi-feng

Bao-yu. [3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22] The Stone.

Lin Dai-yu. [2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22] 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.

Xue Bao-chai. [4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 21, 22] Xue Pan's sister.

Shi Xiang-yun. [20, 21] orphaned great-niece of Grandmother Jia.

Aroma. [3, 6, 8, 9, 19, 20, 21] A personal maid for Bao-yu.

Yuan-chun [3, 16, 18, 22] daughter of Jia Zhen & Lady Wang, now a Royal Concubine.

Xi-feng discusses arrangements for Bao-chai's birthday with Jia Lian.

Bao-yu and Dai-yu continue to have their disagreements.

A series of plays are presented at Bao-chai's birthday. Xiang-yun and Bao-yu disagree about some of the plays and Bao-yu begins to find some Taoist sayings very appropriate and momentarily thinks of becoming a Taoist.

Aroma tries to help Bao-yu out of his meloncholy mood.

Yuan-chun, the Royal Concubine, initiates an exchange of riddles with her family.