Cliffs Notes: Tsao Hsueh-Chin's Dream of the Red Chamber (A Dream of Red Mansions)

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer a look into critical elements and ideas within classic works of literature. CliffsNotes on Dream of the Red Chamber explores China's best-known novel, a massive, sprawling story set during the Ching Dynasty, China 's last feudal society. Following the ups and downs of four leading aristocratic families, this study guide provides summaries and commentaries for each chapter within this wide-sweeping eighteenth-century novel. Other features that help you figure out this important work include Introduction to and historical background on the novel Background on the authors Character list and selected genealogies Critical essays on the significance and limitations of the novel Suggested essay topics Selected bibliography Classic literature or modern-day treasure -- you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides. DREAM OF THE RED CHAMBER (A Dream of Red Mansions)......Page 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE NOVEL......Page 4 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND......Page 5 A BRIEF SYNOPSIS......Page 6 LIST OF CHARACTERS......Page 8 CHAPTERS 1-5......Page 13 CHAPTER 6......Page 16 CHAPTERS 7-15......Page 17 CHAPTERS 16-19......Page 20 CHAPTERS 20-30......Page 21 CHAPTERS 31-40......Page 27 CHAPTERS 41-50......Page 31 CHAPTERS 51-61......Page 35 CHAPTERS 62-70......Page 41 CHAPTERS 71-80......Page 45 CHAPTERS 81-90......Page 49 CHAPTERS 91-100......Page 52 CHAPTERS 101-110......Page 56 CHAPTERS 111-20......Page 60 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE NOVEL......Page 64 PROGRESSIVE VERSUS FEUDAL FORCES......Page 67 ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT......Page 69 LIMITATIONS OF THE NOVEL......Page 70 ESSAY TOPICS AND REVIEW QUESTIONS......Page 71 SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 72 This concise supplement to Tsao Hsueh-Chin's Dream of the Red Chamber helps students understand the overall structure of the work, actions and motivations of the characters, and the social and cultural perspectives of the author Presents summaries and commentaries, background on the author, essay topics, review questions, and other study tools for "Dream of the Red Chamber" by Tsao Hsueh-Chin