Redology (Hongxue红学) is the field of study devoted to one of the best-known classic Chinese novels, Dream of the Red Chamber (Honglou Meng 红楼梦). As a documentary literary work, this book describes the history of the development of Redology in the past 100 years. Academic as it is, the Redology has been profoundly influenced by China’s political and social changes. The book shows the life course of major Redology scholars, reflecting the fluctuating fate of these intellectuals in modern China.
The two-volume book is divided into twelve chapters. It begins from Hu Shih and his two students who initiated the study of ‘New Redology’ in 1921 using Western scientific methods. Around 1949, Zhou Ruchang pushed the idea that the novel was the author’s autobiography to an extreme through textual research. In 1954, Mao Zedong identified Yu Pingbo as a ‘bourgeois intellectual’ and personally launched a criticism of the thoughts of Yu Pingbo and Hu Shih. Following this, two young men Li Xifan and Lan Ling represented the rise of Marxist literary criticism, but Lan Ling was falling into a ‘right-wing’ in 1957. Then it tells about the experiences of the Redology scholars during the ‘Cultural Revolution’. After 1980, Feng Qiyong became a leading figure in the academic field of the new era. These above scholars became the main characters in this book, and also involved dozens of other figures. The book introduces the knowledge of the Redology, involves the true and false secrets of various versions and cultural relics, and discusses the contradictions and disputes between different factions, units and figures. The author tries to achieve a broad vision, true historical data, strict structure, vivid details, full characters, and objective evaluation.
The author has paid attention to the Redology for more than 50 years and was a member of the Chinese Redology Society in his early years. He used to be an insider scholar and had personal contact with many of the protagonists in this book. However, He is independent of the Redology circle and has settled in North America for more than 30 years. Thus, he is able to observe calmly from a long distance. The author integrates his own personal experience into the book and has a unique perspective. Facing the complex contradictions within the Redology circle or the political background, this book is not shy of being sensitive. It intends to objectively record and sort out those origins, and excavates historical mysteries that have not been revealed by the predecessors.
Tabella dei contenuti
Redology is the field of study of the classic Chinese novel, Dream of the Red Chamber. As a documentary literary work, this book describes the history of the development of Redology in the past 100 years. This academic field has been profoundly influenced by China’s political and social changes. There are five Redology scholars acted as main characters in the book, but they also involved a web of modern intellectuals. Focusing on their life experience, this book reflects the fluctuating fate of these intellectuals in modern China.
Table of Contents
Prelude 1963 Forbidden City
Chapter 1. 1917-1947 New Redology began
Chapter 2. 1947-1953 At the time of revolution
Chapter 3. 1949-1955 A big critical movement
Chapter 4. 1954-1958 Consolidate the team
Chapter 5. 1956-1963 Aggregation of team members
Chapter 6. 1964-1971 Chaotic struggles
Chapter 7. 1970-1976 Extraordinary heat
Chapter 8. 1976-1980 Reunion party
Chapter 9. 1980-1987 Cultural exchange
Chapter 10. 1979-1995 Became divided
Chapter 11. 1995-2019 Like encircle a city
Chapter 12. 2005-2018 Curtain calls
Coda 2019-2020 National Museum
This vol II is from chapter 7 to the end. The vol I is ISBN 978-1-7388488-0-5. Please order both of them at the same time.
Circa l’autore
Was born in China. Graduated from Peking University. Was a reporter & editor of People’s Daily. Living in Canada for more than 30 years.
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