Jia Baoyu: As a direct descendant of the Rongguo Mansion, he was of extraordinary origin and smart. The whole family regarded him as the apple of his eye and had high hopes for him. However, he embarked on the road of rebellion, hated the eight-legged essay, and criticized Cheng Zhu. Neo-Confucianism gave those who studied and became officials the name "national thieves and beetles". He doesn't like "serious books", but prefers "miscellaneous books" such as "The Peony Pavilion" and "The Romance of the West Chamber".
Lin Daiyu: Aloof and arrogant by nature, sentimental and quick-thinking. She and Baoyu truly love each other. She is Baoyu's alliance against feudal ethics and is a firm pursuer of free love. She is a tragic figure full of poetic beauty and ideal color in the book.
Xue Baochai: She is a complex entangled body of contradictions. She is generous and elegant, and has a graceful manner. She has the outstanding temperament of a lady, a calm, gentle and peaceful character, and also has the magnanimity hidden deep in her heart. She hated the darkness of officialdom, but still advised Baoyu to study and become an official.
Extended information:
Creative background
"Dream of Red Mansions" was born at the end of China's feudal society in the 18th century. At that time, the Qing government implemented a secluded country, and the whole country was obsessed with Kangxi and Qianlong. In the dream of the prosperous age and the heavenly kingdom. On the surface, this period seemed peaceful, but underneath, various social conflicts were intensifying and developing, and the entire dynasty had reached a turning point of prosperity and decline.
Influence of the work
"A Dream of Red Mansions" reveals all the darkness and evil in the late feudal society, as well as its insurmountable internal contradictions, and has a profound impact on the decadent feudal ruling class and the impending collapse of the feudal system. It makes a powerful criticism, making readers have a premonition that it will inevitably lead to destruction; at the same time, the novel also expresses new hazy ideals by praising the aristocratic rebels.
Baidu Encyclopedia - Dream of Red Mansions