Foreword

xi

Preface 1

xv

Preface 2

xiv

Translator’s Note

xxv

Part I: Reflections on Dream of the Red Chamber

1

Introductory Notes

3

Section 1 (written between 1995 and 2004)

13

Section 2 (written in 2005)

79

Part II: Comments on Dream of the Red Chamber

135

The Eternal Value of Dream of the Red Chamber

137

1. A Spiritual Beacon for Humankind

137

2. The Universe in Dream of the Red Chamber—Wang Guowei’s Discovery

140

3. A Tragedy, and a Novel of Absurdity as Well—A Supplement to Wang Guowei’s View on Dream of the Red Chamber

146

4. Creation of Poetic Lives

158