| Abstrakt: |
Dream of the Red Chamber is examined from the perspective of the work as literary folklore with the aim of understanding its historical value, of researching the author's means of utilizing folk tradition in creating art, and to explore the common laws of literary creation and its influence on the richness of Chinese characteristics in literary folk art today. In Dream of the Red Chamber, Cao Xueqin pays especially close attention to the dipiction of folk life, deeply and thoroughly reflecting the customs of Qing dynasty society. The historical facts recorded are detailed and accurate in a concrete, stylistic and moving depiction, thus re-creating the life habits and environment of the period while preserving a portion of Qing dynasty customs in their original form. It is an invaluable collection of information, and worthy of being considered the encyclopedia of Qing dynasty tradition. Cao Xueqin didn't generally record customs, but rather utilized custom to create art. In doing so he took the bright and colorful bouquet that is folk custom and changed it into the flesh and blood, or substance of a great work. Custom played an important role in plot expansion and development, the depiction of historical background, and in deepening the central theme, painting an almost exaggerated version of the typical environment of the time. Cao Xueqin not only strongly characterized the Chinese people in the work, but also expressed life within the society in a rich and true manner, the characters taking on a moving, lively form resulting in an even deeper and more subtle plot. For this reason, Cao Queqin could be considered the master of using folklore and customs in creating literary art. In conclusion it is pointed out that the importance of Cao Queqin's work lies in the fact that it guided literary development during the Qing dynasty in three important ways, and that this influence continues now, First, folklore unique to a people is an important source of literary work. Second, a large portion of literature concerns itself with the depiction of folklore and custom, therefore becoming a measure of the level at which a work reflects a nation, and art takes on life. The third point is that deeply penetrating life, familiarizing oneself with folk tradition, and opening the mind and heart to the people is the only road for a great writer to take. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
