According to Liu Xinwu,A Dream of Red Mansionsis a name card for China that should be cherished, respected, and researched by Chinese people: "Les Miserablesby Victor Hugo is a great book, but it appeared later thanA Dream of Red Mansions, and Hugo's environment is way better than that of Cao Xuqin's, especially when considering that Cao lived in an era of harsh literary inquisition. How can we not respect Cao?"
Criticizing the situation in which some people in China raise Western literature works, while debasing that of China's own, Liu said, "It's a tragedy that a lot of people know more aboutShakespearethan aboutCao Xueqin. We cannot look down on China's great works, but rather should research and protect it. I hope more people will readA Dream of Red Mansions."
Author Wang Meng recently published his view that the bookA Dream of Red Mansionswas all written by Cao Xueqin himself, but Liu holds the idea that the first 80 chapters were written by Cao, and the latter 40 chapters were finished by Gao E.
"My proof comes from my intensive reading, and analysis into the leading characters Lin Daiyu and Jia Baoyu," said Liu.
"I have received a number of essays and materials. Some think that Cao wrote all 120 of the chapters, while others even hold the idea that there was no such person named Cao Xueqin. I am very pleased and willing to read their researches though I don't agree with them."
Liu further elaborated on his meaning: "Maybe someday I will think they are right, but now I don't. Nevertheless, disagreement does not mean disrespect. These ideas give me an impulse. It is very interesting that people can come to different conclusions according to different editions of the book. How wonderful it is that there are many different voices in the world!"
Email to Friends
Print
Save