试析薛宝钗性格的发展
试析薛宝钗性格的发展
摘要：红楼梦是我国四大名著之一，其主人公之一的薛宝钗又是一位颇具争议的人物。从宝钗身上，我们看到了当时封建社会名门淑媛的形象：容貌美丽、才华出众、品格端正、学识渊博。作者对宝钗的性格在不同时期有着不同的诠释，她的性格一直在适应时代需要，却仍逃不脱成为家庭奴隶和封建道德殉葬品的悲惨命运。本文试图从不同阶段分析其性格发展，从而还原一个真实的宝钗，批判那些对她只作出片面评论的观点。
关键词： 薛宝钗，性格，发展，批判。
Abstract: A dream of red mansions is one of China's four major classic novels; one of the major protagonists, Xue Baochai is a controversial figure. From her, we know the virtue of a fair maiden from gentlefolk at that feudal society: beautiful, uncommon brilliance, great learning and proper. The author described different personalities of Xue Baochai in different time. Her characters were adapted to the requirement of the times all the time. She can not still escape from the family slave and miserable destiny of the feudal morals funerary object. This article tries to analyze her characters development at different times, and restore a real Baochai. Criticize those points that only made one-sided.
Key words: Xue Baochai, personality, development, criticism.
Introduction
A dream of red mansions is not only the most popular of Chinese classical novel, but also a famous novel in world. Its rich and deep ideological content and consummate, perfect artistic skill, is not a classic Chinese novel in history that can comparable. The character images created in A dream of red mansions, are reached the highly unification between personality and common. A dream of red mansions used Jia mansion as the background, which played with more than 600 people. The author put a large number of the aristocracy, civilians and slaves from women's different lives circumstances into the stage of history, combined with the extremely complex feudal society, the typical environment for posterity ,created out of many memorable and classic characters. Cao Xueqin created so many lively figure images that constitute some beautiful pictures of living, promulgate the theme of the whole novel step by step.
So as Xue Baochai this character's typical personality is "neither treat people far nor nearly, treat the disgusted person would not see any indifferent attitudes, and the lovely person also has seen no close to devotion." She is kind, and is good at thoughtful to other people, helpful; she does not dispute the language of sharp ridicule. Having this magnanimousness’ virtue, so she has the feudal parents’ loving deeply. She is beautiful, uncommon brilliance, great learning and proper. She is regarded as a plump and charming peony in all the sisters.
In A dream of red mansions, Xue Baochai is the most difficult figure image to describe; we can not simply divide her into “good” or “bad”. From this article, I want to restore a real Xue BaoChai go through my understanding of A dream of red mansions especially on the perception of Xue BaoChai this image, talk about the development of Xue Baochai’s character.
1. The valuations of Xue Baochai from the academia
1.1 Xue Baochai is the most difficult figure image to describe
“Though heartless she has charm” is the most relevant describe to Xue Baochai under the written by Cao Xueqin. From the perspective of being a “man", she follows the faith, ideals, moral, and pitch she recognized to alive. From the charm of artistic, her multifaceted characters caused a never-ending debate, this become the scriptures of "good role but written opposite" in history of article. Throughout many comments, many people think Xue BaoChai is a women that preserve our sanity, some people even think she is a sinister treacherous, and intrigue contemptible everywhere through many analysis. Although this kind of analysis, are have seen and heard, accord the view of "one thousand readers have 1,000 Hamlets”. But I think this is undoubtedly a literature image in manufacturing, it should not have been happened. I want to go through to my understanding of a dream of red mansions works, especially on the perception Xue BaoChai this image, talk about my own view, I hope help to restore a real Xue BaoChai to do some bits.
1.2 The affirmation of Xue Baochai
Besides Xue Baochai,s brilliance of mind, Xue BaoChai is a feudal lady in the moral conduct; she is a standard of good girl. She never fails to use feudal moral to restraint herself and often admonishment other girls around. In the chapter of forty--two, because Daiyu said a sentence from The Peony Pavilion, Baochai gave Daiyu a well-meaning feudal preaches: "Poetry-writing and calligraphy are not required of us, nor of boys either for that matter. As for us, we should just stick to needlework. If we happen to have a little education we should choose proper books to read, if we let ourselves be influenced by those unorthodox books, there is no hope for us." This is not a fake sincerity, but the words full of faith. So Baochai and Daiyu had been really friends and sisters from “The Lady of the Alpinia Warns Against Dubious Tastes in Literature” and “Two Girls Pledge Friendship After a Heart-to-Heart Talk” these two chapters.
These descriptions are not as some people analysis, because of Xue Baochai was clever, even Lin Daiyu were faked. On the contrary, this only shows that the feudal orthodox morality at that time still has an absolute advantage, not only the feudal lady Xue Baochai religious believes, even Daiyu also have rebellious tendencies. This is a faithful believer of feudalism carefully aboveboard performance; this is standing in the feudal orthodox standpoint in aboveboard. So Daiyu said to Baoyu then: "“You would not take my word for it before. Now you two are getting on fine, but I am left out in the cold.” I never knew how truly good she was, but used to think she had ulterior motives." Daiyu said Baochai is "good" rather than the "bad ", "good" does not equal not feudal.
Read through the whole piece of A dream of red mansions, we think Xue Baochai is really a standard of feudal lady,
1.3 The misunderstanding of Xue Baochai
As for the chapter which was often cited to prove Baochai scheming against Daiyu "escape by crafty scheme" is one-side. The psychological activity in Baochai was explicitly confessed in a dream of red mansions, later she still thought” it is very funny, it finally covering over; I don't know how the two people are". Baochai was to find Daiyu, because of suspected and avoid away, for butterfly citing, heard Xiao Hong wisped with other overheard, her random strain, as with the plan for the conviction, and not leave to go against the conviction in haste, but a kind of instinct reaction. Her first thought Daiyu rather than others, it is very natural, because she was to find Daiyu. So that the said that Baochai trap Daiyu intentionally is untenable. Because of Baochai did not intend to strive for Baoyu with Daiyu, she even make jokes about the love relationship between Baoyu and Daiyu sometimes. In the chapter of twenty--five, " Before the rest could say anything, Daiyu exclaimed: "Buddha be praised!” Baochai turned to look at her and gave a laugh. This passed unnoticed by all but Xichun. “What are you laughing at, Cousin Baochai?” She asked.” I was thinking how much busier Buddha must be than men are. Apart from expounding the truth and saving all living creatures, he has to preserve the sick and restore them to health, as he has done with Baoyu and Xifeng who are on the mend today. And he’ll have to take care of Miss Lin’s marriage as well. Just think how busy he must be! Don’t you find it amusing? "And in the chapter of forty—five: “Two Girls Pledge Friendship after a Heart-to-heart Talk”, Baochai said: "It only means providing one extra dowry in future and it is too early to worry about that yet.” These words with faith are Baochai said to Daiyu.
Back in A dream of red mansions, the chapter of fifty--seven "Kindly Aunt Xue Comforts Daiyu" writes that aunt Xue loves Daiyu very much, said to Baochai: "Since the old lady is so fond of Baoyu and he is such a handsome boy, she will never agree to a wife from outside for him. Then why not engage him to Daiyu? Would not that please everyone?" If aunt Xue and Baochai have the heart of drive a wedge between Daiyu and Baoyu, they would not say that; they ought to avoid talking about this problem.
This section illustrates forcefully that Baochai did not have the heart of drive a wedge between Daiyu and Baoyu, the idea for Baoyu and Daiyu’s marriage is already tacitly approved by Jia mansion from Cao Xueqin’s works.
2. Baochai is a considerate image of women in feudal system
2.1 She has the brilliance of mind that only Lin Daiyu can compare with.
In the verdict about Xue Baochai, the author expressed her of two stars with Lin Daiyu:
“Alas or her wifely virtue,
Her wit to sing of willow-down, poor mailed!
Buried in snow the broken golden hairpin
And hanging in the wood that the belt of jade."
Xue Baochai is a gifted smart, knowledgeable tabled girl under Cao Xueqin,s description. The family environment which full of rich cultural cultivated and intelligent mind, made her have profound artistic accomplishment and extensive knowledge, she has extensive dabbling to literature, art, history, medicine and the Buddhism classics. Her poems conceive outline novel, the profound mood, implicative profound style. The poet in the grand view garden, only Lin Daiyu can compared with.
2.2 She is a normative fair lady in feudal system.
The chapter of twenty-seven ----Playing butterfly accidentally behind the pool, write Baochai is not a woman teacher. Although Baochai has deeply feudal thought, she is not a pedantic unbearable "female teacher ". Her character is various: learned much knowledge, open-minded magnanimous, a shrewd, well behave, be good at avert suspicion hide misfortune, and, when necessary, will also propriety and aggressive. These qualities and character is difficult to use "hypocrisy” this word to be simply negation.
Because the thought disposition on Baochai, it is decided that she would never struggle Jia Baoyu with Daiyu. (And understand this, we would have been less unjustly to Baochai and also can treat her has always been a controversial figure more fairly.) The ingrained in her heart wreathed interlocutions feudal moral ideas don't allow her to voluntarily love a heterosexual, let alone with another women to the title. Her personality and accomplishment also makes it is impossible to do things like that. The chapter of twenty-seventh in A dream of red mansions wrote clearly: "Bayou and Daiyu grew up under one roof,” she reflected. “They’re so free and easy together; they don’t care how they tease each other or show their feelings. And Daiyu’s rather jealous and petty-minded. If I follow Baoyu in, he may not like it and she may resent it. I’d better go back." To fear Baoyu "inconvenience" and Daiyu "suspect", herself stay away. Is there having such a "rival in love"? We are not in denial that Baochai love Baoyu a bit, but this is a natural emotion. The attraction between the sexes in the conscious of Baochai is self depressive.
2.3 The criticism for Baochai is one-side
In all fairness, with the conviction of the Xue Baochai and Daiyu, we often regard then as a rival in love and sympathy sponsor. Most readers’ sympathy to Daiyu who is depend on Jia mansion for living and suffers strict phase in 360 days a year, think Baochai is incontrovertible advantage, is intent on treasure, and two grandma's throne is a Jesuit and hypocrite. So analyze a works by emotional and irrational, analyzes a character image, is impossible to fair, so we of course have the criticism for Baochai one-side easily
3. The different personalities of Xue Baochai in different time
3.1 When Xue Baochai was at her home, her families, influence on her
The formation and development of Xue BaoChai,s character is tie up with her family background.
Xue BaoChai was born in a business family, they have millions of rich. It is the family of the scholarly; her childhood had a good culture. Because of his father's love, she received a formal education of feudalism. According to the dominance of the feudal, people are not allowed in the lusts, and numerous "ladies training ""women's commandments" and so on, to the women, they are especially severed the bondage of thought. In addition, she also peep The Western Chamber and The Peony Pavilion and other novels. And then she did not pay more attention to these, only worded for needlework in family and etc. She always shared depends with her mother. This feudal slave philosophy of ethics education and "that woman no is the virtue" had become her behavior. Her knowledge to the cleave and to the customs, derives from the imperial business urbanity of family edify, made her lose a pure nature of girls, then had some consciousness, her advise to Xiangyun that "not only make ourselves convenient, then square all interests “that shake illustrates her by the imperial business deeply.
3.2 At the beginning of her entering Jia mansion, Xue Baochai is “well behavior”
The lady who was born in a business family, the elder brother is "a bully in Jinling", when she first came to RongGuo mansion, the people have an impression to her is:
“Although only slightly older, she was such a proper young lady and so charming that most people considered Daiyu inferior to her. Besides, Baochai,s generous, tactful, and accommodating ways contrasted strongly with Daiyu,s standoffish reserve and won the hearts of her subordinates, so that nearly all the maids like to chat with her. "
In RongGuo mansion such a hundreds of population, personnel complex and contradictory interlaced feudalism nobility extended family, which can get so sticking up in praise of the sound, Xue Baochai really give us a unusual impression on her first entering Jia mansion.
“The Lady of the Alpinia Warns Against Dubious Tastes in Literature” and” Two Girls Pledge Friendship After a Heart-to-Heart Talk” this two chapters mean that her won the faith from Daiyu. It is because all her good faith to other people.
3.3 When Xue Baochai became Jia Baoyu’s wife, she accepts her destiny
Xue BaoChai’s marriage is a tragedy.
Xue Baochai this artistic image is worth loving and compassion under Cao Xueqin’s creation. Her "cold" is not born, her hot poison inborn was said to be ill by the feudal parents, and actually this hot poison is youthful enthusiasm and passion! But she has to use "cold pill" to restrain it, not only the restriction of feudal system and the feudal parents, even Baochai herself agree to obey this system. She stolen read” The Western Chamber" and" The Peony Pavilion" these forbidden novels earlier than Daiyu, with her own words is too naughty, flapping butterfly's classic picture by BaoChai was unforgotten to many readers. That is such a well-read, youthful lady will abide by the feudal system, it is no doubt that this is her biggest sorrow, compared to the discontent and the boycott to the feudal system of Jia Baoyu,Baochai deviance it the right way walk so-called official exacerbating the economic differences with her and Baoyu, causing the Baoyu,s valuable on the marriage, but the differences on thoughts didn't let BaoChai realized that, although a neat eyebrow end to heave case means the Daiyu smooth, her thought from the service to ruled his deviance the right economic official for Baoyu is her duty and responsibility been as a wife, and hope that this to change the status quo, but causes the leave of Baoyu forever. Then BaoChai died eventually, and it's her most tragic ending.
Jia Baoyu also had to have a moment to the beauty of BaoChai expectations, but face the fate that she has been his wife, Baoyu never forget Daiyu. And he never had sex with Xue Baochai. It also let me see the preciousness of human nature in Baoyu---- not only for the love with single mind , but reflect the fishing for the respect. But it is really Xue Baochai’s acceptance to her destiny.
3.4 When Jia mansion was in decline, her cool to the circumstance
As the turn round of the author, we feel the characters gradually clean- up. The girl is not only good at interpersonal. She is also good at finance and beneficially in things, and "light speech, dignified and dignified minority language" .It is also since Kennedy stoicism in her life , "does not love flowers and powder "; And what she lived in the yard, decorate simply, even Lady Dowager saw, she also praised: "this child is too honesty." Plus her reading,, this will give us added the initial impression, we felt she was a very perfect person.
Xue Baochai is not only the common good at interpersonal, she still has the feudal society "governance connect ". These “cures", it is only the pillar of Jia mansion when it set to topple and fall. In the upcoming of rags feudal society, Xue Baochai plays the role of the pillar performance in everywhere.
Xue Baochai’s whole life is real a tragedy in a dream of red mansions
Conclusion
"Love then knows its ugly, hate then know its well, well and evil must be noted". In A dream of red mansions ", the author wander make the characters speak for itself, or allow the reader to address. The different personalities of Xue Baochai in different time were expressed by her correctly. Her characters were adapted to the requirement of the times all the time. She can not still escape from the family slave and miserable destiny of the feudal morals funerary object. Although Xue BaoChai abide by feudalism moral scrupulously, she still willing to bear the weight of the feudal etiquette, but like all girls in the grand view garden, is also a "life without luck" person, finally end up with the tragic of " buried in snow the broken golden hairpin" in the end of feudalism. This is a tragedy and not merely a tragedy of the personality and love, but a tragedy of a social and an era. It is also the irony to inevitable of ruin feudal system.