Valuation of Woman from Chinese Aristocratical Patriarchy in The Dream of the Red Chamber

Abstract

This research article analyzes the valuation of women in the Dream of the Red Chamber（红楼梦）based on the three cardinal guides, the five constant virtues（三纲五常）, the three obediences and the four Virtues （三从四德）.  Data were collected from the analysis of the male characters portrayed as an aristocratical group in Jia’s family and their relationship with female characters of different social status. Three types of relationship were analyzed: father and daughter, husband and wife, and master and housemaid. Initially, characters’ conversations and their different settings were analyzed, revealing that the value of daughters to fathers was based on the protection of family and stability of lineage. In relationships between husbands and wives, it was found that wives who strictly followed the Three Obediences and the Four Virtues were surrounded by love and received more appreciation from their husbands1 than the talented wives. Moreover, housemaids who understood their master’s needs were more appreciated by their masters than those portrayed as refined women. Conversely, women’s behavior typically sought benefits, appreciation and value from family leaders. These three types of relationship reflected the roles and status of men in Chinese aristocratic patriarchy, in which women were dominated by men, and the importance of women was determined by men based on family stability and their own needs. Obviously, all three types of women shared the same destiny and were restricted by traditional customs, society and men in order to further their lineage and fulfil their needs, but the women themselves remain unfulfilled.