Author: stone Buddha
The artistic image of Wang Xifeng in A Dream of Red Mansions is rich and complicated. Since the publication of A Dream of Red Mansions, there have been many comments on Wang Xifeng in the history of redology. She is regarded as "a capable minister who manages the world and a traitor in troubled times", and Wang Xifeng is called "female Cao Cao" and "rouge tiger", that is, tigress. In many comments, it is "hate Wang Xifeng, scold Wang Xifeng, but miss Wang Xifeng", which is probably the feeling that every dream lover will have.
First, the uniqueness of the characters.
The character Wang Xifeng plays a very important role in A Dream of Red Mansions, and it can be said that this image is unique. She has the function of supporting, focusing or radiating in the sense of artistic structure and artistic noumenon. Because A Dream of Red Mansions is not only about the love and marriage between Xue Baochai and Lin Daiyu, but also about more than 400 characters in this big family. If there were no Wang Xifeng, what would be the result of a dream of red mansions? It can be said that if the Jia family's complicated interpersonal relationships, such as seniority, seniority, intimacy, humility and subjectivity, are compared to a net, then the character Wang Xifeng is in a relatively central position. This highlights the uniqueness of this character's image. She has to deal with all kinds of characters, so-called three-level in-laws, including countless uncles, sisters-in-law and even aunts, maids and concubines, as well as a large group of lower-level housekeepers, servants, maids and pages. The relationship between Wang Xifeng and any one of them is either related or contradictory, or both, which is a reflection of certain social relations. Supposedly, in the whole Jia family, Wang Xifeng's qualifications are very low. She is a granddaughter-in-law. How can someone like Rainbow Xifeng be in charge? This reason is also the result of the development of various contradictions. She has the background of "King Jinling", Jia's support, the contradiction between Mrs. Xing and Wang, and of course the subjective conditions of her own desire. At the same time, Wang Xifeng was pushed to the crater and became the target of public criticism. The result of many old contradictions has become the cause of new contradictions. She is an extremely complicated role! It can be said that Wang Xifeng summed up all kinds of contradictions, a kind of housework that parents manage short, so-called uncles and sisters-in-law, and so on, which is not the case. Because in China's feudal patriarchal society, home and country are isomorphic and have always come down in one continuous line, and home is a simplified form of country. The ups and downs, factional disputes and factional struggles of the feudal emperor's power to "rule the world" can be seen in the family. Therefore, the contradiction from that Wang Xifeng, concentrated on her, or radiated by her, gives people a sense of depth and cannot be regarded as a family contradiction. As far as the breadth of social life tolerated by the artistic image of Wang Xifeng is concerned, it is also beyond the reach of other images, such as borrowing money and earning interest. Wang Xifeng took out the money of the month to lend usury. In the novel, written more than once. Pinger said, "You have to pay a thousand pieces of silver every year at least." Even the amount is very specific. It is impossible to put such economic details on others. For example, the old lady won't do such a thing, and she doesn't bother to do such a thing. The young lady doesn't manage money at all, and only Wang Xifeng can bear it. Therefore, the social tentacles of the image of Wang Xifeng are the longest, which can go beyond the walls of the Jia family and extend to the government, Buddhism and the court. In other words, Wang Xifeng's artistic image is irreplaceable and indispensable in reflecting the depth and breadth of life. Without Wang Xifeng, A Dream of Red Mansions would be greatly discounted in reflecting the depth and breadth of life, and it would not even be called A Dream of Red Mansions.
Wang Xifeng's "tough measures" are manifested in more situations and more occasions as overbearing power and indiscriminate punishment. In this regard, there are many descriptions in A Dream of Red Mansions. What is her usual way of punishing the girl? She said, "Kneeling in the sun with tiles, no tea, no food", "Even if it is made of iron, it will confess one day." When she found the little girl who stood guard for Jia Lian, she ordered her to "take a rope whip and smash her little hoof without a master", and threatened her to brand her mouth with a red-hot soldering iron, cut the meat with a knife, and immediately pulled out the hairpin to poke the little girl's mouth. This kind of hairpin is called boudoir torture device, and it hurts to poke people. She immediately gave the little girl a slap in the face. In addition, when you were in the Qingxu Pass, a little Taoist, who was really a child, accidentally met Wang Xifeng, and Wang Xifeng slapped him with his hand, making the little Taoist unable to stand up. In this place, Wang Xifeng's hands are heavy, hard and fast, which is truly "difficult". Among Jia Fu's masters, it's rare to see anyone who pushes himself like this. In people's eyes, just like those little girls and young monks, it's really terrible. Wang Xifeng at this time is really like a demon. No wonder some slaves cursed her behind her back, calling her a "bitch" and a "hag star". At this time, the so-called "war determination" has a new air conditioner, which really makes people shudder.
Here, you can also cite the famous "Iron Threshold Temple". In this scenario, old ni asked Wang Xifeng to do so. Wang Xifeng has a famous saying, which is often quoted. Search said that I "never believed in the underworld. I just said I would do it. " This sentence is often quoted by everyone, and some people think that Wang Xifeng is not superstitious. Indeed, this sentence sounds very heroic, that is, ghosts and gods are irresistible and have this kind of courage, but it is a pity that this kind of courage is used in evil. Here, it is not that Wang Xifeng is not superstitious. Like ordinary women, she is also a god of plague and named her daughter happiness. It's not that she is not superstitious, but that she is ungodly, reckless and reckless. She can do whatever it takes to achieve her goal regardless of the consequences. So it is obvious that she is playing politics in this place. If we say "associate with Ningguo House", that "Tiexi Temple" means that she is playing politics. Outside her house, she colluded with the government and relied on her power to deceive her superiors in the house. Jia Lian made such a dirty deal in the name of Jia Lian without knowing it. If "assisting Ning" means "using power", then it is "playing politics", that is, playing politics in the palm of your hand by hook or by crook. So this is different. The novel also points out that since then, Wang Xifeng has become more courageous and willful. It can be seen that "playing politics" is a "case" for people to learn Wang Xifeng's means. She is a hard bone to chew, and there is no way out. The so-called "small amount is not a gentleman, non-toxic is not a husband." Compared with Mrs. Wang, Wang Xifeng and other women have no "woman's benevolence" or "compassion". After she did something, she never regretted it. She wanted to uproot the grass. If we don't forget, Jia Yucun finally gave him a long way to go. Then Wang Xifeng must finally find a way to put Zhang Hua and his son to death. From this place, we can fully appreciate Wang Xifeng's spicy means, which others can't feel. The "tough hand" is often external, but the machine heart is hidden inside. Of course, the two are related. Although the "machine heart" is hidden inside, there are traces to follow. It is often said that Wang Xifeng seldom talks about "having ten thousand minds", which is to describe the speed of her scheming and machine change. It can be seen from Wang Xifeng's daily performance. In her daily communication, Wang Xifeng often has the balance of interests and the calculation of gains and losses. Once at the expense of the Grand View Garden Poetry Club, Sister Wang Xifeng and Sister Li Wan were joking there. Because this poetry club needed some expenses, Wang Xifeng laughed at Li Wan: "You are still a sister-in-law!" She even said, "Your monthly salary of twelve taels of silver in January is twice that of us. There is also a child, and there are twelve more-you are in the middle of the year, and you are in the middle of the year ... In total, you have four or five hundred silver a year. " "Now you are afraid of spending money to annoy them-",and Li Wan said a lot. "Listen, I said one thing, and she said so many things-""The whole world has been set up by you!" Although Li Wan's words are a joke, they are actually a proper evaluation of Wang Xifeng. She said, "the whole world has been set up by you." When Wang Xifeng embezzled the monthly money to pay interest, she not only embezzled the servant's money, but also dared to embezzle the old lady's and her husband's money. Therefore, even the "1282 odds and ends" should be saved together and released. Therefore, Li Wan said that she was "good at calculating two pounds" and did not wronged her at all. After Mrs. Wang's golden pheasant was thrown into the well, the number of maids was vacant. As a housekeeper, Wang Xifeng has been slow to fill in this number. Why? She said it was enough to wait for a gift, because many people took a fancy to this vacancy and thought it was a "smart son". Everyone had to ask for this job, and Wang Xifeng put it off until everyone gave gifts. There are many such things. When "making a scene in Ningguo Mansion", I didn't forget to ask you for five hundred and twenty pieces of silver. In fact, she only spent 320, asked for 520, and she earned another 220. Wang Xifeng is famous for her shrewd calculation and calm accumulation. Even she knows. She said to Pinger, "I have a bad reputation. If I leave it for another year, I will be eaten alive. " It can be seen that Wang Xifeng's money loan and Wang Xifeng's accumulation are famous. This is her calculation, and all her efforts are used in this respect. In fact, Wang Xifeng's scheming is of course used to collect money, but it is more reflected in dealing with interpersonal relationships. She is careful in dealing with interpersonal relationships and has a more wonderful performance.
Second, the complexity of the characters.
In dealing with the world, I feel that Wang Xifeng is like a brilliant psychologist. She is very good at reading and judging the wind direction, and often she guesses before the other party says it; The other party just said that she had done it, and there are many such examples. Look, Lin Daiyu came out and just entered Jia's house. Did Mrs. Wang say that she made clothes out of materials? Wang Xifeng said, "I was prepared." In this place, Zhi Yanzhai has a comment: She didn't prepare the materials, but improvised, and Mrs. Wang nodded and believed it. For example, the poetry club in the Grand View Garden is up, and Tanchun just exits here, saying that Wang Xifeng wants you to be a "supervisor". Tan Chun said that Wang Xifeng immediately guessed that you lacked a "rich copper merchant" and wanted to sponsor it. He said, "I will take office immediately tomorrow and give you five hundred and twenty pieces of silver to start the club slowly." As soon as you said this, she guessed, and everyone laughed, so Li Wan said, "You are really a man with a crystal heart." Said this Wang Xifeng is translucent. Wang Xifeng's ability to guess each other's psychology, and her ability to ponder words and feelings are better than anyone else. This character image is more complicated. Sometimes, she can make a 180 degree turn and occasionally say the same thing, but what she said is very reasonable and beautiful. For example, Mrs. Xing wants to please Yuanyang. Mrs. Xing first came to consult with Wang Xifeng and said that the master wanted Yuanyang to be a concubine, so she told Wang Xifeng in advance. Hearing this, Wang Xifeng quickly replied, "Don't touch this nail," she blurted out. She said: "The old lady can't eat without Yuanyang, not to mention that the master can't maintain her body, and neither can the gods." She advised Mrs. Xing to object. "It's no use keeping it." She said this first, and this Mrs. Xing didn't listen at all. Instead, she sneered, "She has three rooms and four concubines, so gray beard …", which means there is nothing wrong with having concubines. She said that the old lady might not be able to refuse. Instead, I blamed Wang Xifeng and said that I hadn't gone yet, but you sent me instead. When Wang Xifeng listened to Mrs. Xing, she knew that Mrs. Xing wouldn't listen. Mrs. Xing was furious. Knowing that what she just said was completely wrong, Wang Xifeng immediately turned around and changed the subject. She smiled apologetically at once: "Madam, it's true. I know how long I can live. I want to go to my parents. Don't mention a girl. Such a big live baby. I won't give it to my master. " She gave an example. It means that the old lady treats Jia Lian like this and the parents treat their son like this. Now the old lady naturally treats the old man like this. You see how ready-made and convincing her speech is. At that time, Mrs. Xing fell in love again. The same story of offering a mandarin duck, one positive and one negative, comes from Wang Xifeng's mouth, which is actually reasonable and beautiful. Being able to conform to each other's hearts like this and turn sharply without leaving a trace is the only skill that Wang Xifeng has in A Dream of Red Mansions. So Wang Xifeng's mind and speed of change are really amazing. Speaking of machine heart, the most famous event about Wang Xifeng's machine heart strategy in a Dream of Red Mansions, if we only talk about some ordinary interpersonal relationships and ordinary communication with family members, then once we encounter that event, Wang Xifeng has an interest, which damages her dignity and endangers her status, then Wang Xifeng will try her best, and her machine heart strategy will be vividly displayed at this time. If The Decision of World War I shows her masculine side, then her clever strategy shows her insidious side. Here, we can't help but mention those two famous events: one is called "Poisonous Acacia Bureau"; One is called "Earn Second Sister You", and the so-called "See the big with the small, kill with the sword". Wang Xifeng's advantages to people are not only money and power, but also her psychological status, which is an important advantage. So Gary and Sister You are two completely different people, which are also two completely different stories, and their deaths are also different in nature. But one thing is similar. At first, for Wang Xifeng, there were some advantages at first, and then they all became disadvantages under the direction of Wang Xifeng, and finally they came to a dead end.
Third, the richness of characters.
Wang Xifeng, who lived under the feudal patriarchal clan system, could not get rid of the shackles of "husband's outline" and "woman's virtue" in the end, and had to admit that it was natural for her husband to take concubinage. As the saying goes, "there are three unfilial, and no heir is the greatest." For the sake of children, even three wives and four concubines are high-sounding and not suitable for ceremonies. Therefore, in the face of strong patriarchal clan system and public opinion, Wang Xifeng, who is competitive, should also try to wash his reputation of being jealous and establish an image of being virtuous. This is essentially a kind of submission. Wang Xifeng will eventually be restricted by the patriarchal clan system. First of all, Wang Xifeng's submission is conditional forbearance. For example, Pinger was accepted as a "servant girl" largely because of Pinger's kindness and loyalty, not to mention the purpose of "tying my heart". Secondly, it shows proper restraint on Jia Lian and Wei Shi's throwing vinegar. Wang Xifeng is not that kind of bitch, and she is hot enough to collect the bill and turn the rudder. Make a scene in ningguo mansion. After Bao Er's affair was exposed, although it caused an uproar, in the end, I had to accept Jia's ruling. Jia's ruling obviously favored Jia Lian. Although Wang Xifeng won face, Jia Lian was obviously protected by the old lady. Back in the house, Jia Lian asked, "Think about it carefully. Who didn't have a little more yesterday? " In other words, on Wang Xifeng's birthday, we should think as usual. Whose fault is this? On search's birthday, Jia Lian not only didn't come, but also had an affair with Bao Er's family. Of course it's Jia Lian's fault. However, Wang Xifeng could not confidently answer the question "whose fault is not much", nor could he reprimand and warn Jia Lian. She had to run to the old woman and say, "Sir Zhong is going to kill me". Why didn't she report Jia Lian? I can't, so she can only cry on the topic of "Mr. Zhong wants to kill me" and finally have to pass it on to the boss. Wang Xifeng's submission is to point her sharp edge at other women who compete with her for favor. Those who play the two treasures are more obvious in You Erjie, and they are more consciously transferred to the competing women, making them victims; The contradiction between husband and wife turns into the contradiction between wives and concubines. If you can't cure the problem, turn to the palliative, and use all hatred, all resentment and all strategic means to treat the symptoms. In other words, "jealousy" has become the poison arrow of women's self-destruction under feudal patriarchal ethics, mainly pointing to women with lower status and no personal freedom, such as concubines. In the novel, Sister You, Bao Er and Pinger are very similar. Then the relationship between Wang Xifeng and these people, especially the whole process of the relationship between Wang Xifeng and Second Sister You, shows this point incisively and vividly, and how the contradiction between husband and wife turns into the contradiction between wives and concubines, and all hatred, resentment, scheming and strategy are used in it. Compared with the jealousy between wives in Jin Ping Mei, the description of jealousy in A Dream of Red Mansions has a more advanced form. In the contest between Wang Xifeng and Second Sister You, it is particularly meaningful: First, Wang Xifeng tried her best to create the illusion of being virtuous. After learning that she had stolen the secret, she took the initiative to introduce it to her grandmother, which pleased the second sister and the elders, and everyone was amazed. Its purpose is to get rid of the hat of "jealousy" and occupy the "commanding height" in patriarchal ethics; Secondly, Wang Xifeng also used all means to put Second Sister You in the position of a famous sinner, exposing the past of Second Sister You's "slutty running", insisting that she had been married and remarried, and a woman had two husbands. Therefore, the so-called "sword killing" is not just a fake hand like Qiu Tong, but a mechanism relying on all the forces of feudal patriarchal clan system and public opinion. Its smart and skillful manipulation and operation are really amazing, and it can kill people without any legal and moral responsibility.
On the one hand, Wang Xifeng's jealousy shows less subordination in his relationship with Jia Lian; When it is aimed at other women, it reaches to death, and the expression of "civilization" is because it is wrapped by official Taoist ethics. This is an important feature of Wang Xifeng's jealousy. In a word, Wang Xifeng's subordinate consciousness, which has been integrated into the bone marrow of China women's personality, is relatively weak in her body, and she can not only compete with men, but even be condescending. Wang Xifeng is not only brilliant, but also has a strong desire for self-realization. All this makes us feel extremely happy and proud when we demonstrate to a male-centered society; When she does whatever she wants and does whatever she can, she tramples on the personality, dignity and even the right to life of others, especially those who are women. For the sake of unlimited selfish desires, people can't help but feel chilling and hate it. The two are intertwined, tangled and overlapped, forming the uniqueness, richness and complexity of the so-called "Phoenix Pepper" China female image.