Dream of the Red Chamber is the pinnacle of classical Chinese fiction, depicting the colorful events of the aristocratic society of the Qing Dynasty. Among them, the encounters of characters such as Tanchun, Ping'er, and Second Sister You reflect the survival situation of ancient concubines in the real world, making people feel the ruthlessness of feudal society and the helplessness of women.
The plot of Tanchun's refusal to recognize his mother highlights the indifference of family affection in feudal families. In the aristocratic families of the Qing Dynasty, blood relations were not the only bond, but more important were status and interests. Tanchun is regarded as the granddaughter of Jia's mother, but she is indifferent to her biological mother, which reflects the supremacy of power and family interests in feudal society, making family affection insignificant.
Ping'er has no name and is another unfortunate female character in the novel. She was an orphan brought into Jia's mansion by Jia's mother, lacking formal status. In feudal society, status was crucial, and women who lacked it had a low status in the family and were easily excluded and neglected. Although Ping'er is smart and capable, she has never been able to change her status and become an unknown existence, living on the edge of a feudal family.
The tragic death of Second Sister You reveals the tragic fate of women in feudal families. She was Jia's mother's niece, but she was punished for being too close to Jia's mother's maid and finally died. This episode reflects the strict norms and unfair treatment of women in feudal society. Women are in a fragile position and can pay a heavy price if they violate family ethics or social norms. The tragedy of Second Sister You is not only her personal tragic fate, but also a cruel revelation of the entire feudal society towards women.
Together, these episodes outline the real world of ancient concubines and show their plight in a feudal family. In this society, the status of women is strictly limited, and status and status become the key to their survival. Factors such as power schemes, family interests, and social norms are intertwined, making women oppressed and constrained in this world. Through the encounters of these characters, "Dream of Red Mansions" profoundly depicts the real world of ancient concubines, presenting readers with a picture of a feudal society that is both magnificent and ruthless.