Dream of the Red Chamber

index
Chapter 1

The Dream Starts (1734 words) [160066675]

The overlooked first paragraph of Dream of the Red Chamber

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-dream-starts

originally posted: 2025-03-28T14:07:07.248Z

Dreams and Illusions (1482 words) [160072247]

Why the first paragraph of Dream of the Red Chamber matters

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/dreams-and-illusions

originally posted: 2025-03-29T10:03:09.857Z

The Discarded Stone (525 words) [160088680]

Nüwa and the mythical origins of Dream of the Red Chamber

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-discarded-stone

originally posted: 2025-03-30T10:01:40.048Z

Why Nüwa? (854 words) [160089781]

Why not choose some other legend?

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/why-nuwa

originally posted: 2025-03-31T10:02:14.573Z

The Monk And The Priest (664 words) [160133293]

Poetic foreshadowing of the entire book

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-monk-and-the-priest

originally posted: 2025-04-01T10:02:08.650Z

Embedded Poetry in Chinese Fiction (966 words) [160134605]

Prose mixed with poetry

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/embedded-poetry-in-chinese-fiction

originally posted: 2025-04-02T10:02:55.738Z

Back To The Ending (681 words) [160198679]

We jump forward to the very end

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/back-to-the-ending

originally posted: 2025-04-03T10:01:58.634Z

How To Translate Chinese Poems The Right Way (2246 words) [160199405]

An extensive commentary on translating the untranslatable

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/how-to-translate-chinese-poems-the

originally posted: 2025-04-04T10:01:55.788Z

The Great Chinese Literature Rant (1702 words) [160205686]

Surprisingly blunt language for the 18th century

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-great-chinese-literature-rant

originally posted: 2025-04-05T10:02:23.895Z

Who Were Zhou Wenjun And Cao Zijian? (1254 words) [160206854]

Making sense of archaic references

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/who-were-zhou-wenjun-and-cao-zijian

originally posted: 2025-04-06T10:01:20.470Z

The Many Names Of The Book (1025 words) [160347788]

4 additional proposed names

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-many-names-of-the-book

originally posted: 2025-04-07T10:03:16.156Z

How Cao Xueqin Subverts Buddhism (1341 words) [160350320]

Digging through a crazy phrase - and finding The Monk of Emotion

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/how-cao-xueqin-subverts-buddhism

originally posted: 2025-04-08T10:03:33.450Z

The Retired Scholar (1126 words) [160367805]

Zhen Shiyin's first appearance

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-retired-scholar

originally posted: 2025-04-09T10:01:56.783Z

The Endless Day Of Gloom (849 words) [160372051]

Embedded textual reference in Dream of the Red Chamber

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-endless-day-of-gloom

originally posted: 2025-04-10T10:00:46.059Z

Zhen Shiyin's Dream (1916 words) [160521112]

Plus — the bizarre bureaucracy of "heaven"

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/zhen-shiyins-dream

originally posted: 2025-04-11T10:01:39.569Z

Cao Xueqin Defies Convention (971 words) [160528108]

Digging into 絳珠仙草 and 神瑛侍者

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/cao-xueqin-defies-convention

originally posted: 2025-04-12T10:01:30.849Z

Repaying The Debt With Tears (1587 words) [160583454]

Lin Daiyu creates a doomed bond with Jia Baoyu

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/repaying-the-debt-with-tears

originally posted: 2025-04-13T10:00:10.751Z

When Does The Story Finally Start? (1541 words) [160607543]

Why Cao Xueqin is slow rolling us

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/when-does-the-story-finally-start

originally posted: 2025-04-14T10:00:18.225Z

Truth And Fiction (1829 words) [160637419]

Dream of the Red Chamber gets really abstract (again)

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/truth-and-fiction

originally posted: 2025-04-15T10:02:45.424Z

The Original Versions of Dream of the Red Chamber (2373 words) [160638918]

Also - what the "celestial mystery" actually is

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-original-versions-of-dream-of

originally posted: 2025-04-16T10:00:58.024Z

The Crazy Monk And Priest Intervene (1353 words) [160704850]

The fate of Zhen Shiyin's daughter Yinglian

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-crazy-monk-and-priest-intervene

originally posted: 2025-04-17T10:01:08.750Z

Whose Side Are You On Anyway? (715 words) [160715224]

Are the monk and priest good guys, bad guys, or neither?

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/whose-side-are-you-on-anyway

originally posted: 2025-04-18T10:01:32.190Z

Jia Yucun Falls In Love (2224 words) [160787334]

But is it really "love at first sight?"

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/jia-yucun-falls-in-love

originally posted: 2025-04-19T10:00:53.741Z

Jia Yucun's Self Deception (1132 words) [160789576]

How narcissistic can a character get?

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/jia-yucuns-self-deception

originally posted: 2025-04-20T10:01:03.388Z

Jia Yucun The Poet (2206 words) [160857640]

In love with the girl, or in love with himself?

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/jia-yucun-the-poet

originally posted: 2025-04-21T10:00:57.034Z

Simple Yet Ambitious (1971 words) [160857974]

How Cao Xueqin uses poetry to describe character

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/simple-yet-ambitious

originally posted: 2025-04-22T10:02:31.831Z

Disaster Strikes (1819 words) [160970138]

Zhen Shiyin's child vanishes

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/disaster-strikes

originally posted: 2025-04-23T10:01:23.428Z

The English Translations (1726 words) [160971216]

A look at the various translations of Dream of the Red Chamber — and why I don't like any of them

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-english-translations

originally posted: 2025-04-24T10:00:49.394Z

Zhen Shiyin Loses Everything (1734 words) [161024700]

One calamity is followed by another

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/zhen-shiyin-loses-everything

originally posted: 2025-04-25T10:02:32.619Z

The Bootstraps Myth (736 words) [161025579]

Why a 250 year old Chinese novel is still relevant today

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-bootstraps-myth

originally posted: 2025-04-26T10:01:22.059Z

Zhen Shiyin's Bitter Lament (2800 words) [161093096]

Zhen Shiyin remarks bitterly about the absurdism of life, hinting at a better way.

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/zhen-shiyins-bitter-lament

originally posted: 2025-04-27T10:00:31.779Z

Sewing Another Girl's Wedding Dress (1938 words) [161097619]

The raw emotional power of Dream of the Red Chamber

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/sewing-another-girls-wedding-dress

originally posted: 2025-04-28T10:00:30.976Z

Zhen Shiyin Runs Away (763 words) [161203850]

The end of the first chapter of Dream of the Red Chamber (紅樓夢)

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/zhen-shiyin-runs-away

originally posted: 2025-04-29T10:02:16.388Z

Abandonment Is Not The Answer (1563 words) [161207555]

Why Zhen Shiyin is not the hero of Dream of the Red Chamber

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/abandonment-is-not-the-answer

originally posted: 2025-04-30T10:01:03.985Z

Chapter 2

Jiao Xing Becomes Lucky (1614 words) [161313362]

Chapter 2 of Dream of the Red Chamber begins

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/jiao-xing-becomes-lucky

originally posted: 2025-05-01T10:00:51.371Z

My Language Learning Secret (3288 words) [161313801]

How to learn how to read Dream of the Red Chamber in the original

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/my-language-learning-secret

originally posted: 2025-05-02T10:00:14.894Z

Start Here (310 words) [161374642]

Guide to my Dream of the Red Chamber project

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/start-here-fff

originally posted: 2025-04-15T11:18:47.573Z

Lin Daiyu Enters (2024 words) [161410431]

The connection between Lin Daiyu and the Jia family

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/lin-daiyu-enters

originally posted: 2025-05-03T10:01:03.761Z

What's In A Name? (1206 words) [161412577]

Why Cao Xueqin called her Lin Daiyu

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/whats-in-a-name

originally posted: 2025-05-04T10:00:38.423Z

Jia Yucun Misses Transcendence (1461 words) [161750123]

A brief passage full of philosophic meaning

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/jia-yucun-misses-transcendence

originally posted: 2025-05-05T10:01:59.292Z

4 Ways AI Can Hack Literature (2500 words) [161750823]

Going beyond "cheating" into worlds of crazy literary depth

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/4-ways-ai-can-hack-literature

originally posted: 2025-05-06T10:02:33.916Z

Jia Yucun Gossips (2630 words) [161925389]

Also: the birth of Jia Baoyu

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/jia-yucun-gossips

originally posted: 2025-05-07T10:01:17.992Z

Breaking The Narrative Rules (730 words) [161925756]

Cao Xueqin subverts expectations

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/breaking-the-narrative-rules

originally posted: 2025-05-08T10:00:33.300Z

Jia Baoyu on Men and Women (704 words) [162005104]

Jia Baoyu's unusual character is revealed

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/jia-baoyu-on-men-and-women

originally posted: 2025-05-09T10:02:49.448Z

The Jia Baoyu In All Of Us (1200 words) [162005976]

Making sense of Jia Baoyu

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-jia-baoyu-in-all-of-us

originally posted: 2025-05-10T10:00:54.497Z

The Metaphysics of Jia Baoyu (2651 words) [162052191]

Jia Yucun tries to explain stuff he doesn't understand

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-metaphysics-of-jia-baoyu

originally posted: 2025-05-11T10:00:53.381Z

Jia Yucun Misses The Point (1560 words) [162056155]

How we know he was talking nonsense

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/jia-yucun-misses-the-point

originally posted: 2025-05-12T10:00:48.266Z

The Spring Cycle (3288 words) [162359099]

The name of the Jia sisters mirrors the eventual fate of the family

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-spring-cycle

originally posted: 2025-05-13T10:01:36.757Z

Is It Really Fate? (1534 words) [162361820]

Taking a deep dive into 原應嘆息

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/is-it-really-fate

originally posted: 2025-05-14T10:00:27.957Z

Chapter 3

Lin Daiyu Leaves Home (2006 words) [162480654]

The action begins

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/lin-daiyu-leaves-home

originally posted: 2025-05-15T10:00:56.384Z

The Chinese Language in Dream of the Red Chamber (1614 words) [162482568]

Or — why I don't offer a complete glossary in pinyin

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-chinese-language-in-dream-of

originally posted: 2025-05-16T10:02:08.329Z

Lin Daiyu Arrives at Rongguo Mansion (1783 words) [162721615]

Plus: Jia Yucun weasles his way into a job

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/lin-daiyu-arrives-at-rongguo-mansion

originally posted: 2025-05-17T10:00:54.512Z

Why The Architecture of Rongguo Mansion Matters (455 words) [162722130]

And what it symbolizes

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/why-the-architecture-of-rongguo-mansion

originally posted: 2025-05-18T10:00:58.530Z

Lin Daiyu Meets The Family (1668 words) [162911861]

And a bit more insight into Lin Daiyu's cosmic fate

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/lin-daiyu-meets-the-family

originally posted: 2025-05-19T10:00:45.459Z

Character Descriptions in Chinese Literature (908 words) [162912375]

Diving into an old art

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/character-descriptions-in-chinese

originally posted: 2025-05-20T10:00:23.228Z

Wang Xifeng Enters (1618 words) [162982090]

A masterclass in Chinese descriptive language

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/wang-xifeng-enters

originally posted: 2025-05-21T10:01:36.210Z

Wang Xifeng and Lin Daiyu (506 words) [163012367]

An underrated rivalry

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/wang-xifeng-and-lin-daiyu

originally posted: 2025-05-22T10:01:19.102Z

Tacit Communication (1732 words) [163079368]

More of Lin Daiyu and Wang Xifeng

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/tacit-communication

originally posted: 2025-05-23T10:01:42.554Z

Why Jia She Refused Lin Daiyu (427 words) [163080698]

A dive into indirect communication

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/why-jia-she-refused-lin-daiyu

originally posted: 2025-05-24T10:00:41.211Z

Chapter 4

The Heart Of The Mansion (1977 words) [163213169]

Lin Daiyu discovers the great Jia family secret

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-heart-of-the-mansion

originally posted: 2025-05-25T10:00:33.792Z

Cao Xueqin and Chekhov's Gun (887 words) [163214755]

Modernism before Modernism was a thing

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/cao-xueqin-and-chekhovs-gun

originally posted: 2025-05-26T10:02:29.053Z

Politeness (2526 words) [163582177]

Lin Daiyu minds her manners

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/politeness

originally posted: 2025-05-27T10:01:23.442Z

Lost In The Details (1492 words) [163582811]

Wading through a book rich with information

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/lost-in-the-details

originally posted: 2025-05-28T10:01:15.318Z

Daiyu's First Meal (678 words) [163639127]

A study in manners

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/daiyus-first-meal

originally posted: 2025-05-29T10:00:54.247Z

Much Ado About Mealtime (770 words) [163664406]

Why Lin Daiyu's first meal is important

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/much-ado-about-mealtime

originally posted: 2025-05-30T10:02:44.123Z

Lin Daiyu Meets Jia Baoyu (1475 words) [163736031]

Their first encounter

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/lin-daiyu-meets-jia-baoyu

originally posted: 2025-05-31T10:00:46.743Z

Meaningful Poetry Translation (1484 words) [163736913]

Why cute tricks just don't work

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/meaningful-poetry-translation

originally posted: 2025-06-01T10:00:58.106Z

Jia Baoyu's Attraction To Lin Daiyu (1444 words) [164014339]

A master class in poetic characterization

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/jia-baoyus-attraction-to-lin-daiyu

originally posted: 2025-06-02T10:02:29.927Z

Emotion in Dream of the Red Chamber (892 words) [164015336]

Diving into the world of 情

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/emotion-in-dream-of-the-red-chamber

originally posted: 2025-06-03T10:00:54.570Z

Baoyu Throws Away His Jade (1552 words) [164109318]

A frequently misunderstood scene

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/baoyu-throws-away-his-jade

originally posted: 2025-06-04T10:01:15.783Z

What Jia Baoyu's Jade Means (1234 words) [164110047]

A complex tapestry of meaning

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/what-jia-baoyus-jade-means

originally posted: 2025-06-05T10:01:49.598Z

We Meet The Maids (1972 words) [164277040]

Xueyan and Xiren make their first appearance

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/we-meet-the-maids

originally posted: 2025-05-24T00:33:22.483Z

The Attacking Fragrance (666 words) [164277758]

Where Xiren's name comes from

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-attacking-fragrance

originally posted: 2025-06-07T10:00:42.962Z

Doomed To Domestic Servitude (1508 words) [164732588]

The fate of Li Wan

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/doomed-to-domestic-servitude

originally posted: 2025-06-08T10:00:21.028Z

Virtuous Women And Talented Women (586 words) [164733003]

Insight into what Dream of the Red Chamber is actually about

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/virtuous-women-and-talented-women

originally posted: 2025-06-09T10:00:31.547Z

The Official Protection Register (1407 words) [165031081]

An insight into Qing dynasty official corruption

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-official-protection-register

originally posted: 2025-06-10T10:02:19.974Z

Trivial Information (571 words) [165031733]

What does and doesn't matter

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/trivial-information

originally posted: 2025-06-11T10:02:40.901Z

Zhen Yinglian Returns (1085 words) [165213541]

The sad tale of a kidnapped child

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/zhen-yinglian-returns

originally posted: 2025-06-12T10:02:40.394Z

Jia Yucun Is Interrupted (406 words) [165213924]

A fascinating example of literary technique

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/jia-yucun-is-interrupted

originally posted: 2025-06-13T10:01:22.285Z

Poor Yinglian (1224 words) [165276263]

Zhen Yinglian's hopes of a better life are dashed

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/poor-yinglian

originally posted: 2025-06-14T10:00:29.273Z

Dreamlike Karmic Love (812 words) [165276713]

Jia Yucun the hypocrite

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/dreamlike-karmic-love

originally posted: 2025-06-15T10:01:47.172Z

Hiding Murder With Fate (809 words) [165371889]

Jia Yucun's plan to exonerate Xue Pan

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/hiding-murder-with-fate

originally posted: 2025-06-16T10:02:49.603Z

Karmic Justice (292 words) [165372159]

Jia Yucun gets it wrong

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/karmic-justice

originally posted: 2025-06-17T10:01:27.686Z

Jia Yucun Bends The Rules (395 words) [165566643]

And Xue Pan gets off scott free

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/jia-yucun-bends-the-rules

originally posted: 2025-06-18T10:02:38.653Z

Trafficking of Women in the Qing Dynasty (510 words) [165567086]

A bit of historical context

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/trafficking-of-women-in-the-qing

originally posted: 2025-06-19T10:01:15.816Z

The Murderer Heads to the Capital (1572 words) [165658901]

Xue Pan leisurely departs with his family

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-murderer-heads-to-the-capital

originally posted: 2025-06-20T10:01:54.813Z

What's In A Name? (704 words) [165659636]

Jia Baoyu, Lin Daiyu, and Xue Baochai's names

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/whats-in-a-name-476

originally posted: 2025-06-21T10:01:45.464Z

Xue Pan's Paradise (1396 words) [165717978]

The murderer finds himself free to do whatever he wants

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/xue-pans-paradise

originally posted: 2025-06-22T10:00:39.159Z

Chapter 5

Chapter 5 Preview (375 words) [165718466]

What to expect

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/chapter-5-preview

originally posted: 2025-06-23T10:00:26.363Z

The Rivalry Begins (1808 words) [166019530]

Lin Daiyu and Xue Baochai start to face off

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-rivalry-begins

originally posted: 2025-06-24T10:02:15.852Z

Why Jia Baoyu Hated The Painting (1075 words) [166019880]

It's not just rebellion against learning

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/why-jia-baoyu-hated-the-painting

originally posted: 2025-06-25T10:01:36.172Z

Jia Baoyu Visits A Sensual Bedroom (629 words) [166099649]

Things start to get spicy

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/jia-baoyu-visits-a-sensual-bedroom

originally posted: 2025-06-26T10:01:23.550Z

Locked Dreams (587 words) [166106660]

Jia Baoyu caught between two poems

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/locked-dreams

originally posted: 2025-06-27T10:00:57.174Z

More About The Erotic Room (849 words) [166351519]

Literary allusions galore

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/more-about-the-erotic-room

originally posted: 2025-06-28T10:02:23.058Z

Making Sense Of The Allusions (422 words) [166352201]

What is Cao Xueqin talking about?

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/making-sense-of-the-allusions

originally posted: 2025-06-29T10:01:34.543Z

Jia Baoyu Falls Asleep (712 words) [166804231]

The dream begins

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/jia-baoyu-falls-asleep

originally posted: 2025-06-30T10:02:57.558Z

Whose Fault Is It? (512 words) [166804479]

Is Romance Doomed?

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/whose-fault-is-it

originally posted: 2025-07-01T10:03:22.043Z

Jia Baoyu Sees The Goddess Who Unveils Illusion (1142 words) [166959861]

Crazy dream

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/jia-baoyu-sees-the-goddess-who-unveils

originally posted: 2025-07-02T10:00:38.841Z

Active And Passive Verbs (638 words) [166960379]

The conundrum of Chinese poetic interpretation

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/active-and-passive-verbs

originally posted: 2025-07-03T10:00:38.483Z

The Goddess Who Unveils Illusion (914 words) [167125138]

Jia Baoyu comes face to face with divinity

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-goddess-who-unveils-illusion

originally posted: 2025-07-04T10:01:52.032Z

What The Goddess Who Unveils Illusion Does (695 words) [167125464]

Digging through the old poems

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/what-the-goddess-who-unveils-illusion

originally posted: 2025-07-05T10:00:54.067Z

Jia Baoyu Enters The Illusory Realm Of The Great Void (1133 words) [167206894]

Inspecting the fates of all girls

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/jia-baoyu-enters-the-illusory-realm

originally posted: 2025-07-06T10:00:47.561Z

The Evil That Entered Jia Baoyu's Heart (497 words) [167207307]

Diving into a very confusing passage

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-evil-that-entered-jia-baoyus

originally posted: 2025-07-07T10:02:41.949Z

The Prophetic Poems Start (1303 words) [167271589]

Jia Baoyu is utterly confused

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-prophetic-poems-start

originally posted: 2025-07-08T10:01:05.391Z

Who Are The First Two Poems About? (1032 words) [167272093]

Unraveling the puzzle

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/who-are-the-first-two-poems-about

originally posted: 2025-07-09T10:01:13.735Z

Bound With The Lotus Flower (492 words) [167385892]

On to the next predictive poem

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/bound-with-the-lotus-flower

originally posted: 2025-07-10T10:03:26.770Z

Who Is Bound Together With The Lotus? (374 words) [167386124]

Unraveling another poem

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/who-is-bound-together-with-the-lotus

originally posted: 2025-07-11T10:02:51.645Z

The Hanging Jade Belt And The Buried Golden Hairpin (810 words) [167512874]

The frightening fate of our heroes

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-hanging-jade-belt-and-the-buried

originally posted: 2025-07-12T10:01:34.795Z

Hanging In The Forest, Buried In The Snow (745 words) [167513039]

Who is this poem talking about?

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/hanging-in-the-forest-buried-in-the

originally posted: 2025-07-13T10:01:53.676Z

The Blooming Pomegranates Light The Palace Walls (446 words) [167599847]

Another puzzling poem

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-blooming-pomegranates-light-the

originally posted: 2025-07-14T10:02:18.339Z

The Girl In The Palace (724 words) [167599988]

What yesterday's poem means

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-girl-in-the-palace

originally posted: 2025-07-15T10:01:11.584Z

Crying On The Boat (506 words) [168029151]

Another tragic image

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/crying-on-the-boat

originally posted: 2025-07-16T10:02:25.361Z

Kites and Wind (675 words) [168029605]

Trying to make sense of yesterday's poem

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/kites-and-wind

originally posted: 2025-07-17T10:01:47.617Z

The River Flows To Nothingness (492 words) [168100195]

An extremely mysterious poem

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-river-flows-to-nothingness

originally posted: 2025-07-18T10:01:18.543Z

So What Gives? (346 words) [168100487]

Why are these poems so cryptic and mysterious?

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/so-what-gives

originally posted: 2025-07-19T10:02:27.449Z

Jade In The Mud (475 words) [168238164]

Another mysterious poem

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/jade-in-the-mud

originally posted: 2025-07-20T10:01:16.103Z

Is It Fate? (243 words) [168238427]

What's the deal with all the negative poetry?

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/is-it-fate

originally posted: 2025-07-21T10:00:54.621Z

The Zhongshan Wolf (644 words) [168395386]

Another cryptic poem

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-zhongshan-wolf

originally posted: 2025-07-22T10:02:35.997Z

Spoiling The Story To Explain The Poems (365 words) [168396318]

A pet peeve

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/spoiling-the-story-to-explain-the

originally posted: 2025-07-23T10:02:54.880Z

From Splendor To Black Clothing (386 words) [168490515]

Another sad prediction

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/from-splendor-to-black-clothing

originally posted: 2025-07-24T10:00:41.321Z

A Practical Guide To Reading The Chinese Classics In Chinese (895 words) [168490777]

Advice from years of experimentation

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/a-practical-guide-to-reading-the

originally posted: 2025-07-25T10:02:44.546Z

Tricky Text (691 words) [168645091]

Wang Xifeng's fortune

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/tricky-text

originally posted: 2025-07-26T10:02:33.145Z

Why Chinese Needs To Be Written In Characters (953 words) [168645524]

Addressing an old controversy

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/why-chinese-needs-to-be-written-in

originally posted: 2025-07-27T10:02:00.618Z

When Fortune Fails, Don't Talk Of Nobility (270 words) [168862269]

Another cryptic poem

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/when-fortune-fails-dont-talk-of-nobility

originally posted: 2025-07-28T10:02:28.687Z

How Not To Write Great Literature (494 words) [168862500]

Cao Xueqin breaks the rules (again)

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/how-not-to-write-great-literature

originally posted: 2025-07-29T10:03:09.794Z

Li Wan's Fate (609 words) [169048521]

The orchid in the pot

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/li-wans-fate

originally posted: 2025-07-30T10:01:46.818Z

The Plan (495 words) [169048782]

A look at what lies ahead

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-plan

originally posted: 2025-07-31T10:00:45.240Z

When Raw Emotions Meet (641 words) [169140795]

Our final cryptic poem (for now)

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/when-raw-emotions-meet

originally posted: 2025-08-01T10:02:37.382Z

A Look At The Predictive Poems (449 words) [169141658]

A brief summary

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/a-look-at-the-predictive-poems

originally posted: 2025-08-02T10:00:52.115Z

Exploring The Celestial Palace (786 words) [169265125]

Jia Baoyu is distracted

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/exploring-the-celestial-palace

originally posted: 2025-08-03T10:00:31.177Z

More Than Just Ornamentation (625 words) [169265421]

Why yesterday's poem was exciting

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/more-than-just-ornamentation

originally posted: 2025-08-04T10:01:31.918Z

Sensuality As A Cure (971 words) [169743926]

Somewhat bizarre logic

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/sensuality-as-a-cure

originally posted: 2025-08-05T10:02:59.424Z

Who The Goddess Really Is (871 words) [169786620]

Plus: what's up with that smell?

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/who-the-goddess-really-is

originally posted: 2025-08-06T10:00:32.362Z

The Spiritual World Of Grief (727 words) [170071100]

Jia Baoyu continues to explore this "heaven"

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-spiritual-world-of-grief

originally posted: 2025-08-07T10:00:49.192Z

The Four Noble Truths (710 words) [170071394]

Cao Xueqin subverts Buddhism once again

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-four-noble-truths

originally posted: 2025-08-08T10:01:11.470Z

Remembering The Gold And Mourning The Jade (1177 words) [170451616]

Where the name Dream of the Red Chamber comes from

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/remembering-the-gold-and-mourning

originally posted: 2025-08-09T10:01:33.384Z

The Debate Over 情 (420 words) [170452834]

Is it love, passion, or something broader?

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-debate-over

originally posted: 2025-08-10T10:02:11.399Z

The Old Pact Between The Tree And Stone (982 words) [170650434]

Regret at the End of Life

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-old-pact-between-the-tree-and

originally posted: 2025-08-11T10:02:43.804Z

Starting From The End (413 words) [170743685]

The literary craft of Cao Xueqin

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/starting-from-the-end

originally posted: 2025-08-12T10:02:34.347Z

Tears That Flow All Year Round (616 words) [170817301]

An incredibly ambiguous poem

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/tears-that-flow-all-year-round

originally posted: 2025-08-13T10:03:02.044Z

Deliberate Ambiguity (1181 words) [170817817]

Let's dive in

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/deliberate-ambiguity

originally posted: 2025-08-14T10:02:48.222Z

The Evanescent Life (529 words) [170919391]

More Buddhism for you

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-evanescent-life

originally posted: 2025-08-15T10:01:07.557Z

Is This Pro-Buddhist? (545 words) [170920103]

Another look at yesterday's poem

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/is-this-pro-buddhist

originally posted: 2025-08-16T10:02:06.877Z

Detachment (270 words) [171049807]

Another sad poem

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/detachment

originally posted: 2025-08-17T10:00:49.579Z

Implicit Criticism? (291 words) [171050039]

Was yesterday's poem actually a criticism of Buddhist teachings?

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/implicit-criticism

originally posted: 2025-08-18T10:00:35.327Z

Sorrow In The Midst Of Joy (1037 words) [171212212]

Why bother with fate?

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/sorrow-in-the-midst-of-joy

originally posted: 2025-08-19T10:02:45.071Z

The Clouds of Gaotang (710 words) [171212894]

Diving into a difficult reference

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-clouds-of-gaotang

originally posted: 2025-08-20T10:03:12.521Z

Jade In the Mud (394 words) [171286033]

Another lament

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/jade-in-the-mud-d0a

originally posted: 2025-08-21T10:03:08.233Z

Purity Culture (330 words) [171286338]

A timely lament

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/purity-culture

originally posted: 2025-08-22T10:00:44.682Z

The Mountain Wolf (315 words) [171495512]

More literary allusion

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-mountain-wolf

originally posted: 2025-08-23T10:02:24.899Z

The Change In Tone (211 words) [171495729]

More about yesterday's unusual poem

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-change-in-tone

originally posted: 2025-08-24T10:02:37.430Z

The Enlightenment of the Illusory Flowers (1311 words) [171766355]

A surprisingly vivid and stark poem

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-enlightenment-of-the-illusory

originally posted: 2025-08-25T10:03:04.689Z

The Violence Of Peace (336 words) [171768370]

Deeper into yesterday's poem

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-violence-of-peace

originally posted: 2025-08-26T10:02:51.338Z

The Futility of Planning (345 words) [171824722]

More poetic tragedy

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-futility-of-planning

originally posted: 2025-08-27T10:02:44.023Z

My Chinese Source (215 words) [171829897]

Quick note

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/my-chinese-source

originally posted: 2025-08-28T10:03:00.702Z

Remaining Blessings (324 words) [171908899]

Why you should do good things for others

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/remaining-blessings

originally posted: 2025-08-29T10:01:55.306Z

The Calculations Of Heaven (276 words) [171909312]

Doing good for selfish reasons?

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-calculations-of-heaven

originally posted: 2025-08-30T10:00:45.458Z

Late Springtime (658 words) [172219749]

Another puzzling, sad poem

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/late-springtime

originally posted: 2025-08-31T10:02:38.619Z

Rebellious Poetry (433 words) [172219899]

More of the magic of Dream of the Red Chamber

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/rebellious-poetry

originally posted: 2025-09-01T10:03:05.543Z

Good Things Come To An End (506 words) [172273014]

There's no way out

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/good-things-come-to-an-end

originally posted: 2025-09-02T10:02:06.930Z

Is Emotion (情) Good Or Evil? (527 words) [172273316]

Looking closer into a paradox

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/is-emotion-good-or-evil

originally posted: 2025-09-03T10:03:11.660Z

The Birds Fly Away (617 words) [172372942]

Summing up all the chapter 5 poems

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-birds-fly-away

originally posted: 2025-09-04T10:01:05.091Z

The Chapter 5 Poems (339 words) [172373182]

Looking back

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-chapter-5-poems

originally posted: 2025-09-05T10:00:40.684Z

The Most Passionate Person In The World (1242 words) [172431289]

Jia Baoyu and the theory of lust and passion

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-most-passionate-person-in-the

originally posted: 2025-09-06T10:02:16.846Z

Sensuality in Dream of the Red Chamber (666 words) [172431577]

A deeper look into the book's philosophy

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/sensuality-in-dream-of-the-red-chamber

originally posted: 2025-09-07T10:02:28.123Z

Jia Baoyu Learns The Secrets (1632 words) [172822303]

Jia Baoyu's first erotic encounter

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/jia-baoyu-learns-the-secrets

originally posted: 2025-09-08T10:03:02.384Z

David Hawkes on Two-In-One (1353 words) [172823251]

What do you think?

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/david-hawkes-on-two-in-one

originally posted: 2025-09-09T10:03:15.238Z

Chapter 6

Jia Baoyu's First Sexual Encounter (1086 words) [172975397]

And you'll never guess who it was with

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/jia-baoyus-first-sexual-encounter

originally posted: 2025-09-10T10:00:37.244Z

Jia Baoyu The Sexual Deviant (515 words) [172975639]

Diving into a troubling passage

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/jia-baoyu-the-sexual-deviant

originally posted: 2025-09-11T10:00:29.024Z

An Odd Interlude (447 words) [173044898]

Have you ever seen a classical author do this?

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/an-odd-interlude

originally posted: 2025-09-12T10:02:57.057Z

The Literary Style of Dream of the Red Chamber (325 words) [173045177]

Looking closely at a minor passage

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-literary-style-of-dream-of-the

originally posted: 2025-09-13T10:01:34.787Z

The Plan (2065 words) [173143164]

Introducing Granny Liu

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-plan-75a

originally posted: 2025-09-14T10:02:09.991Z

Granny Liu's Chinese (444 words) [173143708]

One of those great little things

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/granny-lius-chinese

originally posted: 2025-09-15T10:02:48.734Z

Setting The Plan In Motion (1169 words) [173582273]

Granny Liu Approaches The Jia Family

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/setting-the-plan-in-motion

originally posted: 2025-09-16T10:01:26.479Z

Little Textual Treats (428 words) [173582616]

The Genius of Dream of the Red Chamber

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/little-textual-treats

originally posted: 2025-09-17T10:02:37.257Z

The True Head Of Household (864 words) [173843523]

A glimpse into Jia family politics

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-true-head-of-household

originally posted: 2025-09-18T10:02:58.183Z

Why Wang Xifeng Is Powerful (1342 words) [173843904]

A look at the Jia family tree

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/why-wang-xifeng-is-powerful

originally posted: 2025-09-19T10:03:19.442Z

Wang Xifeng's Speaking Ability (419 words) [173986901]

A short segment

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/wang-xifengs-speaking-ability

originally posted: 2025-09-20T10:01:25.926Z

The Women Are Smarter (230 words) [173987182]

Wang Xifeng and the capable women of Dream of the Red Chamber

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-women-are-smarter

originally posted: 2025-09-21T10:02:50.609Z

Granny Liu Is Blown Away (1227 words) [174069953]

Granny Liu enters the world of high society

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/granny-liu-is-blown-away

originally posted: 2025-09-22T10:01:55.966Z

Zhou Rui's Wife (422 words) [174070259]

What's in a name

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/zhou-ruis-wife

originally posted: 2025-09-23T10:02:44.445Z

Granny Liu Discovers Clocks (520 words) [174286675]

A brief but fun interlude

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/granny-liu-discovers-clocks

originally posted: 2025-09-24T10:03:32.926Z

Why The Clock Startled Granny Liu (446 words) [174286969]

A bit more insight into what was going on

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/why-the-clock-startled-granny-liu

originally posted: 2025-09-25T10:02:54.321Z

Waiting For Wang Xifeng (570 words) [174568716]

Granny Liu waits

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/waiting-for-wang-xifeng

originally posted: 2025-09-26T10:03:11.922Z

The Color Red (346 words) [174569263]

The color that stands out the most

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-color-red

originally posted: 2025-09-27T10:02:39.091Z

The Power Broker (1107 words) [174661181]

Wang Xifeng shows her might

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-power-broker

originally posted: 2025-09-28T10:01:47.472Z

Wang Xifeng The Godfather (540 words) [174661454]

More about the power broker

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/wang-xifeng-the-godfather

originally posted: 2025-09-29T10:02:11.159Z

Jia Rong Arrives (723 words) [174726123]

Granny Liu remains embarrassed

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/jia-rong-arrives

originally posted: 2025-09-30T10:03:09.751Z

Why Granny Liu Felt Embarrassed (265 words) [174729209]

A cultural note

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/why-granny-liu-felt-embarrassed

originally posted: 2025-10-01T10:02:57.296Z

A Favor For Jia Rong (665 words) [174786166]

Jia Rong succeeds

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/a-favor-for-jia-rong

originally posted: 2025-10-02T10:04:01.367Z

Wang Xifeng The Godfather: Part Two (786 words) [174788910]

More on Wang Xifeng's power

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/wang-xifeng-the-godfather-part-two

originally posted: 2025-10-03T10:03:31.434Z

Granny Liu's Triumph (1445 words) [175221082]

The end of chapter 6

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/granny-lius-triumph

originally posted: 2025-10-04T10:02:10.660Z

How To Create Believable Characters (780 words) [175221693]

Learning from Granny Liu

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/how-to-create-believable-characters

originally posted: 2025-10-05T10:03:01.111Z

Chapter 7

Xue Baochai's Medicine (2027 words) [175378262]

Another interesting form of characterization

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/xue-baochais-medicine

originally posted: 2025-10-06T10:01:57.487Z

Why Xue Baochai Is Sick (291 words) [175378574]

An interesting form of characterization

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/why-xue-baochai-is-sick

originally posted: 2025-10-07T10:00:31.276Z

Zhen Yinglian Returns (714 words) [175468326]

Where the victim of the first chapter winds up

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/zhen-yinglian-returns-a28

originally posted: 2025-10-08T10:02:59.069Z

The Trafficked Girl (726 words) [175468702]

What Zhen Yinglian Represents

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-trafficked-girl

originally posted: 2025-10-09T10:03:02.253Z

Walking Around With Zhou Rui's Wife (545 words) [175570661]

Another transition scene

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/walking-around-with-zhou-ruis-wife

originally posted: 2025-10-10T10:02:59.426Z

How To Transition (989 words) [175571041]

The Narrative Threads of Dream of the Red Chamber

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/how-to-transition

originally posted: 2025-10-11T10:00:58.916Z

Jia Xichun And The Nun (796 words) [175754019]

An unusual interlude

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/jia-xichun-and-the-nun

originally posted: 2025-10-12T10:02:36.528Z

Why The Interlude (570 words) [175754305]

Diving into a short and odd passage

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/why-the-interlude

originally posted: 2025-10-13T10:02:37.264Z

Wang Xifeng's Nap (767 words) [176041636]

Jia Lian and Wang Xifeng engage in daytime exercise

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/wang-xifengs-nap

originally posted: 2025-10-14T10:02:14.083Z

Wang Xifeng The Victim (852 words) [176042163]

The sexual politics of Dream of the Red Chamber

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/wang-xifeng-the-victim

originally posted: 2025-10-15T10:02:51.299Z

More Drama (840 words) [176145054]

Zhou Rui's wife's daughter complicates things

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/more-drama

originally posted: 2025-10-16T10:03:03.892Z

Internal Deportation (498 words) [176146415]

The threat against Zhou Rui's wife's son-in-law

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/internal-deportation

originally posted: 2025-10-17T10:03:13.402Z

Jia Baoyu Admires The Flowers (1252 words) [176449832]

And Lin Daiyu reacts coldly

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/jia-baoyu-admires-the-flowers

originally posted: 2025-10-18T10:02:38.788Z

The Baguenaudier (563 words) [176450626]

What the "Nine Linked Rings" refer to

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-baguenaudier

originally posted: 2025-10-19T10:02:32.895Z

Leng Zixing's Mess (678 words) [176602539]

Another transitional passage

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/leng-zixings-mess

originally posted: 2025-10-20T10:09:24.171Z

The Silk Flowers (1027 words) [176698813]

Digging into a literary device

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-silk-flowers

originally posted: 2025-10-21T10:02:59.223Z

The Short Journey (395 words) [176794702]

And an interesting peek at the hierarchy of the Jia family

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-short-journey

originally posted: 2025-10-22T10:02:26.553Z

Who's The Boss? (571 words) [176880693]

Looking into the hierarchy of Dream of the Red Chamber

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/whos-the-boss

originally posted: 2025-10-23T10:02:47.817Z

Confusing Family Relationships (788 words) [176994936]

Trying to piece together who is who

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/confusing-family-relationships

originally posted: 2025-10-24T10:02:23.838Z

The Family (829 words) [177062219]

Explaining the Jia family dynamics

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-family

originally posted: 2025-10-25T10:01:18.252Z

Jia Baoyu's First Love (2283 words) [177138569]

Jia Baoyu meets Qin Zhong

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/jia-baoyus-first-love

originally posted: 2025-10-26T10:01:37.438Z

Jia Baoyu's Homosexuality (1831 words) [177138810]

You knew this was coming

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/jia-baoyus-homosexuality

originally posted: 2025-10-27T10:02:56.767Z

What's A Friend For? (753 words) [177260788]

Jia Baoyu starts talking with his closest friend

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/whats-a-friend-for

originally posted: 2025-10-28T10:02:42.968Z

Close Friends (749 words) [177261487]

A look at the term 知己

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/close-friends

originally posted: 2025-10-29T10:02:41.924Z

Jia Baoyu's Plan (947 words) [177359190]

Jia Baoyu arranges to get closer to Qin Zhong

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/jia-baoyus-plan

originally posted: 2025-10-30T10:01:07.199Z

Jia Baoyu's Formal Language (406 words) [177360142]

An odd linguistic register shift

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/jia-baoyus-formal-language

originally posted: 2025-10-31T10:00:49.579Z

The Drunken Rant (1624 words) [177556607]

Jiao Da tells it like it is

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-drunken-rant

originally posted: 2025-11-01T10:02:40.630Z

The Qin Keqing Affair (1198 words) [177557139]

Crawling in the ashes

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-qin-keqing-affair

originally posted: 2025-11-02T11:01:52.949Z

Chapter 8

Chapter 8 Begins (789 words) [177757223]

Jia Baoyu convinces Grandmother Jia

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/chapter-8-begins

originally posted: 2025-11-03T11:02:37.465Z

The Translation Paradox (911 words) [177763664]

Much ado about 通靈

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-translation-paradox

originally posted: 2025-11-04T11:03:06.433Z

An Odd Discursion (1279 words) [178021323]

Yet another strange interlude

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/an-odd-discursion

originally posted: 2025-11-05T11:02:24.738Z

What Was That All About? (476 words) [178021618]

Looking at yesterday's passage

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/what-was-that-all-about

originally posted: 2025-11-06T11:02:29.636Z

Jia Baoyu Sees Xue Baochai (1076 words) [178132184]

A subtle and elegant description

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/jia-baoyu-sees-xue-baochai

originally posted: 2025-11-07T11:02:52.419Z

Lin Daiyu and Xue Baochai (1054 words) [178132616]

A contrast in descriptions

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/lin-daiyu-and-xue-baochai

originally posted: 2025-11-08T11:01:17.932Z

Xue Baochai Sees The Jade (1024 words) [178370455]

And a complex poem muddies the waters

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/xue-baochai-sees-the-jade

originally posted: 2025-11-09T11:02:24.459Z

The Subversive Romance Book (549 words) [178371339]

More on how Dream of the Red Chamber is different

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-subversive-romance-book

originally posted: 2025-11-10T11:03:14.987Z

Dream of the Red Chamber Podcast Episode 1 (37 words) [178379701]

A New Project

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/dream-of-the-red-chamber-podcast

originally posted: 2025-11-09T12:03:03.896Z

The Inscriptions (1079 words) [178449908]

Is Jia Baoyu fated to be together with Xue Baochai?

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-inscriptions

originally posted: 2025-11-11T11:01:01.636Z

How The Couplets Match (888 words) [178462388]

A look at the match between Jia Baoyu and Xue Baochai

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/how-the-couplets-match

originally posted: 2025-11-12T11:00:34.496Z

Baoyu and Baochai Square Off (1184 words) [178640323]

The tension rises

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/baoyu-and-baochai-square-off

originally posted: 2025-11-13T11:03:12.042Z

What If Jia Baoyu Took Xue Baochai's Medicine? (745 words) [178640956]

An odd hypothetical

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/what-if-jia-baoyu-took-xue-baochais

originally posted: 2025-11-14T11:01:35.043Z

Much Ado About Wine (1157 words) [178820729]

A somewhat confusing exchange

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/much-ado-about-wine

originally posted: 2025-11-15T11:01:58.512Z

Hot And Cold (615 words) [178836557]

Why all the worry about hot and cold things

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/hot-and-cold

originally posted: 2025-11-16T11:02:47.827Z

The Hand Warmer Incident (609 words) [178933925]

A cryptic passage

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-hand-warmer-incident

originally posted: 2025-11-17T11:03:06.126Z

What In The World Is Lin Daiyu Talking About? (695 words) [178934829]

Unraveling a complex passage

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/what-in-the-world-is-lin-daiyu-talking

originally posted: 2025-11-18T11:02:53.072Z

Drunken Fun (802 words) [179188932]

Jia Baoyu has one too many

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/drunken-fun

originally posted: 2025-11-19T11:03:31.653Z

Outsider And Insider (378 words) [179190342]

A bit more insight into what Lin Daiyu said

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/outsider-and-insider

originally posted: 2025-11-20T11:03:19.093Z

More Drinking (490 words) [179415745]

Jia Baoyu drinks to excess

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/more-drinking

originally posted: 2025-11-21T11:03:17.459Z

How This Blog Works (1368 words) [179416092]

Quick Guide For New Readers

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/how-this-blog-works

originally posted: 2025-11-22T11:02:35.061Z

The Cone Hat (659 words) [179512095]

Jia Baoyu and Lin Daiyu get ready to leave

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-cone-hat

originally posted: 2025-11-23T11:02:26.504Z

The Sexual Politics of the Jia Family (523 words) [179512427]

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-sexual-politics-of-the-jia-family

originally posted: 2025-11-24T11:01:59.293Z

The Sexual World of Dream of the Red Chamber (52 words) [179762156]

Episode 002

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-sexual-world-of-dream-of-the

originally posted: 2025-11-23T22:23:39.023Z

Returning Home (398 words) [179775375]

And a subtle development

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/returning-home

originally posted: 2025-11-25T11:02:52.578Z

Ordinary Language (1285 words) [179775603]

The brilliance of Cao Xueqin

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/ordinary-language

originally posted: 2025-11-26T11:03:00.443Z

Baoyu's Drunken Stupor (1142 words) [180075559]

Is this real life, or just a fleeting moment?

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/baoyus-drunken-stupor

originally posted: 2025-11-27T11:02:05.017Z

What's Going On? (799 words) [180112449]

What did yesterday's post mean?

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/whats-going-on

originally posted: 2025-11-28T11:03:14.749Z

Jia Baoyu Says Too Much (630 words) [180212814]

And Hua Xiren fights back

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/jia-baoyu-says-too-much

originally posted: 2025-11-29T11:02:13.025Z

Hua Xiren's Defiance (716 words) [180289345]

How are we supposed to interpret this?

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/hua-xirens-defiance

originally posted: 2025-11-30T11:01:51.792Z

Why I'm Not Planning On Publishing A Book (139 words) [180352263]

Dream of the Red Chamber Podcast Episode 003

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/why-im-not-planning-on-publishing

originally posted: 2025-11-30T22:09:02.465Z

Qin Zhong Returns (517 words) [180363421]

And Grandmother Jia loves him

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/qin-zhong-returns

originally posted: 2025-12-01T11:02:05.914Z

The Girly Man (468 words) [180466698]

Diving into Qin Zhong

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-girly-man

originally posted: 2025-12-02T11:02:16.795Z

Qin Keqing's Origin Story (1036 words) [180564065]

And the story of Qin Zhong's father

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/qin-keqings-origin-story

originally posted: 2025-12-03T11:02:19.758Z

What's In A Name? (1141 words) [180566076]

More significant names and controversies

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/whats-in-a-name-937

originally posted: 2025-12-04T11:02:39.855Z

Jia Baoyu Gets Ready For School (964 words) [180763997]

And Hua Xiren plays the role of his mother

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/jia-baoyu-gets-ready-for-school

originally posted: 2025-12-05T11:02:59.819Z

Hua Xiren's Role (340 words) [180764254]

Another odd development

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/hua-xirens-role

originally posted: 2025-12-06T11:00:44.249Z

Jia Zheng and Jia Baoyu (805 words) [180930802]

An interesting way to speak to your son

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/jia-zheng-and-jia-baoyu

originally posted: 2025-12-07T11:02:51.209Z

Indirect Communication in the Chinese Language (85 words) [180989092]

Podcast Episode 004

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/indirect-communication-in-the-chinese

originally posted: 2025-12-07T22:04:55.677Z

The Ever Shifting Chinese Grammar (1483 words) [181002011]

A translator's nightmare

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-ever-shifting-chinese-grammar

originally posted: 2025-12-08T11:01:38.468Z

Li Gui Recites A Poem (1050 words) [181106058]

And Jia Zheng reveals his attitude towards literature

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/li-gui-recites-a-poem

originally posted: 2025-12-09T11:03:16.850Z

Jia Zheng and Thomas Gradgrind (554 words) [181200439]

Finding Dickens in Dream of the Red Chamber

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/jia-zheng-and-thomas-gradgrind

originally posted: 2025-12-10T11:02:05.412Z

Fragrant Blossoms and Homemade Makeup (744 words) [181282707]

Jia Baoyu heads to school

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/fragrant-blossoms-and-homemade-makeup

originally posted: 2025-12-11T11:03:04.532Z

Why Jia Baoyu Didn't Say Goodbye To Xue Baochai (621 words) [181283096]

The plot thickens

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/why-jia-baoyu-didnt-say-goodbye-to

originally posted: 2025-12-12T11:03:09.494Z

Jia Baoyu and Qin Zhong (719 words) [181480765]

Rumors start flying

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/jia-baoyu-and-qin-zhong

originally posted: 2025-12-13T11:01:44.744Z

The Family School (803 words) [181537407]

What the term 義學 means

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-family-school

originally posted: 2025-12-14T11:02:41.944Z

The Homosexual Lovers (1412 words) [181624397]

Things start to get spicy

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-homosexual-lovers

originally posted: 2025-12-15T11:03:20.546Z

The Excessive Use Of Classical Phrases (607 words) [181625860]

Literary Allusion in Dream of the Red Chamber

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-excessive-use-of-classical-phrases

originally posted: 2025-12-16T11:03:02.296Z

Understanding Jia Baoyu's Homosexuality (37 words) [181628211]

Podcast Episode 005

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/understanding-jia-baoyus-homosexuality

originally posted: 2025-12-14T22:36:40.708Z

Bum Cake (994 words) [181751780]

The homosexual references continue

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/bum-cake

originally posted: 2025-12-17T11:02:32.614Z

Homosexual Terminology in Classical Chinese Literature (428 words) [181827097]

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/homosexual-terminology-in-classical

originally posted: 2025-12-18T11:02:45.796Z

Schoolroom Politics (862 words) [181945598]

A difficult passage to translate

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/schoolroom-politics

originally posted: 2025-12-19T11:00:43.277Z

Helping King Zhou Perform His Cruelty (772 words) [181945869]

Explaining an old idiom

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/helping-king-zhou-perform-his-cruelty

originally posted: 2025-12-20T11:00:29.108Z

More Homosexual Scandals (748 words) [182141403]

Caught in flagrante delicto(?)

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/more-homosexual-scandals

originally posted: 2025-12-21T11:02:43.457Z

Why Was Jia Zhen Afraid? (737 words) [182141804]

What was the scandal?

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/why-was-jia-zhen-afraid

originally posted: 2025-12-22T11:02:43.897Z

How To Have Success On Substack (503 words) [182144126]

Why this project has been successful (so far)

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/how-to-have-success-on-substack

originally posted: 2025-12-21T12:02:59.062Z

Yet Another Triangle (1315 words) [182384090]

Another complex relationship comes up

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/yet-another-triangle

originally posted: 2025-12-23T11:02:47.178Z

Homosexuality and Masculinity (924 words) [182475210]

What does all this messing around really mean?

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/homosexuality-and-masculinity

originally posted: 2025-12-24T11:02:39.757Z

Jia Qiang's Plan (473 words) [182547904]

Jia Qiang riles up Mingyan

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/jia-qiangs-plan

originally posted: 2025-12-25T11:01:21.259Z

Cao Xueqin's Specialty (707 words) [182617786]

Introducing characters without introducing them

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/cao-xueqins-specialty

originally posted: 2025-12-26T11:02:39.565Z

I Wanna Riot (536 words) [182707967]

Things start to go crazy

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/i-wanna-riot

originally posted: 2025-12-27T16:42:25.450Z

The F Word (1105 words) [182708405]

History of the word 肏

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-f-word

originally posted: 2025-12-28T11:22:45.072Z

Why All The Homosexuality? (66 words) [182766990]

Podcast Episode 007

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/why-all-the-homosexuality

originally posted: 2025-12-28T13:23:25.151Z

Revolution in the Classroom (735 words) [182821351]

The chaos continues

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/revolution-in-the-classroom

originally posted: 2025-12-29T11:02:21.075Z

Translating Names (990 words) [182821545]

The hardest part of this book

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/translating-names

originally posted: 2025-12-30T11:00:47.972Z

Things Quiet Down (1282 words) [182902642]

The chaos comes to an end - for now

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/things-quiet-down

originally posted: 2025-12-31T11:01:26.508Z

What Chapter 9 Is All About (304 words) [182904221]

Looking back on the chaos

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/what-chapter-9-is-all-about

originally posted: 2026-01-01T11:02:56.080Z

Swallow Your Pride And Get Back To Work (825 words) [183006712]

Jin Rong gives in

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/swallow-your-pride-and-get-back-to

originally posted: 2026-01-02T11:02:22.398Z

Face (441 words) [183007963]

Understanding what just happened

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/face

originally posted: 2026-01-03T11:00:45.842Z

The Generational Line (429 words) [183305385]

How Jin Rong is related to the family

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-generational-line

originally posted: 2026-01-04T11:02:27.750Z

Direct And Indirect Family Lines (218 words) [183305677]

Explaining a few confusing terms

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/direct-and-indirect-family-lines

originally posted: 2026-01-05T11:03:18.578Z

Modern Chinese in Dream of the Red Chamber (44 words) [183478969]

Podcast Episode 008

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/modern-chinese-in-dream-of-the-red

originally posted: 2026-01-04T21:00:42.324Z

Opening Pandora's Box (608 words) [183628295]

Jin Rong inadvertently starts a family crisis

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/opening-pandoras-box

originally posted: 2026-01-06T11:02:36.622Z

Wait - Who's Doing What? (1271 words) [183744988]

What to do when you get confused

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/wait-whos-doing-what

originally posted: 2026-01-07T11:00:18.084Z

Qin Keqing's Illness (1427 words) [183864285]

And Lady Jin's anger subsides

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/qin-keqings-illness

originally posted: 2026-01-08T11:02:22.997Z

Realism (662 words) [183966195]

More clues about what sets Dream of the Red Chamber apart

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/realism

originally posted: 2026-01-09T11:01:44.158Z

Searching For A Doctor (1043 words) [184108823]

More on Qin Keqing's Sickness

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/searching-for-a-doctor

originally posted: 2026-01-10T11:02:04.158Z

Buying Office (565 words) [184231758]

Why doesn't Jia Baoyu just buy a position?

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/buying-office

originally posted: 2026-01-11T18:35:42.870Z

Dream of the Red Chamber and Modern Chinese Grammar (50 words) [184240354]

Podcast Episode 009

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/dream-of-the-red-chamber-and-modern

originally posted: 2026-01-11T19:39:00.954Z

Cut Off From The World (536 words) [184268922]

Jia Zhen and his father Jia Jing

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/cut-off-from-the-world

originally posted: 2026-01-12T11:02:49.077Z

Tract of the Hidden Deeds (572 words) [184269343]

Why this is mentioned here

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/tract-of-the-hidden-deeds

originally posted: 2026-01-13T11:02:58.385Z

The Doctor's Reply (515 words) [184476447]

And a bit of interesting rhetoric

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/the-doctors-reply

originally posted: 2026-01-14T11:03:38.917Z

Pranayama (252 words) [184476893]

The doctor's excuse

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/pranayama

originally posted: 2026-01-15T11:03:30.083Z

Classical Humility (462 words) [184725828]

A lesson in self-deprecating language

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/classical-humility

originally posted: 2026-01-16T11:02:54.144Z

Humble Language (546 words) [184829842]

More about Dr. Zhang

- https://www.redchamber.blog/p/humble-language

originally posted: 2026-01-17T11:01:53.703Z