Cliffs_Notes_on_Dream_of_the_Red_Chamber;英语版红楼梦学习笔记.doc

Cliffs Notes on Dream of the Red Chamber . 1991 1 DREAM OF THE RED CHAMBER (A Dream of Red Mansions) Notes including ??Life and Background of the Authors ??Introduction to the Novel ??A Brief Synopsis ??List of Characters ??Critical Commentaries ??Critical Essays ??Essay Topics and Review Questions ??Selected Bibliography by Zhang Xiugui Professor of English Beijing Second Foreign Language Institute Peoples Republic of China LINCOLN, NEBRASKA 68501 1-800-228-4078 www.CLIFFS.com ISBN 0-8220-7060-x . Copyright 1991 by Cliffs Notes, Inc. All Rights Reserved Cliffs Notes on Dream of the Red Chamber . 1991 2 LIFE AND BACKGROUND OF THE AUTHORS In the entire history of Chinese literature, Tsao Hsueh-chin (also called Tsao Shan) is recognized as being the countrys greatest realistic novelist. He was born in 1715 to a Han family, some of whom served in the Manchu army. His grandfather Tsao Yin (1658-1712) was one of the most eminent and wealthy men of his time and was in charge of the Nanking Silk Bureau during the reign of Kang Hsi. The Emperor stayed five times in Tsaos residence during his inspection tours in the Yang-tze Valley, and Tsao Yin was present during the last four visits. In addition, two of Tsao Yins daughters were chosen as the emperors concubines. Clearly, the Tsao family was quite influential at the time; their relationship with Emperor Kang Hsi was very close. Like his grandson, Tsao Hsueh-chin, Tsao Yin was fond of literature and won a name for himself as a scholar; more than ten of his texts were printed, and he left behind some additional writings, including five volumes of poems and some plays, before his post at the Silk Bureau was passed to Tsao Hsuehchins father. Tsao Hsueh-chin was born in Nanking at the end of Kang Hsis reign, and not much is known about his childhood until he was thirteen years old. At that time, his father was dismissed from his post, and Tsao Hsueh-chin accompanied him to Peking. The Tsao familys home and properties were search