Dream of the Red Chamber is a masterpiece of classical Chinese literature and is widely regarded as the pinnacle of Chinese literary history. However, during the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, this masterpiece was banned from publication and was recognized as a pornographic and obscene book.
In order to understand why Dream of Red Mansions was banned during this period, we need to review the context and reasons for this period of history.
The story takes place in 18th-century China, when the Qing Dynasty ruled a very conservative dynasty. The social climate is relatively conservative, and censorship of literary works is also strict. In such a context, the emergence of "Dream of Red Mansions" has caused a series of controversies.
First of all, we need to understand Emperor Qianlong's own view of "Dream of the Red Chamber". At that time, the Qianlong Emperor had a certain appreciation for literature and art, but he also maintained a high degree of vigilance against morality and temples. He believed that the depiction of the life and secular desires of the aristocratic families of the Red Chamber in the novel did not conform to the Qing Dynasty etiquette system and Confucian moral standards.
Secondly, "Dream of Red Mansions" depicts the darkness and contradictions of feudal society in a realistic way, including the corruption of officialdom and the low status of women. These elements are challenging for social stability and the ruling class. Emperor Qianlong feared that these depictions would inspire dissatisfaction and suspicion of social reality, and even trigger social unrest.
In addition, "Dream of Red Mansions" contains some depictions of sex and marriage, which were considered intolerable to the conservative social atmosphere of the Qing Dynasty at the time. Especially for a feudal society known for its purity and chastity, such depictions were seen as indecent and obscene.
For all these reasons, Emperor Qianlong ordered a ban on the publication and dissemination of Dream of the Red Chamber. This was a great writer and a blow to his work. The Dream of the Red Chamber was classified as an "immoral" book by the Qing Dynasty, and its manuscript was circulated only in private for a long time.
However, the ban on Dream of Red Mansions did not prevent it from passing on its influence and value. After several generations of hard work and dissemination, "Dream of Red Mansions" has gradually been rediscovered and valued. Its profound descriptions, delicate emotions and reflections on human nature have made it known as the pinnacle of classical Chinese literature and a treasure in the treasure house of world literature.
In the 20th century, with the change of social concepts and the gradual arrival of cultural openness, Dream of Red Mansions was gradually re-examined and recognized for its value, and became a classic of ancient Chinese literature.