The Image of Wang Xi-Feng in the Dream of the Red Chamber and The Life of Dai Yu

Abstract

This research analyses the images and the representation of Wang Xi-Feng, a character in two dramas, The Dream of the Red Chamber (version of 1987, 1996 and the 2010 version, respectively) and the Life of Dai Yu in 2010. The study employed the imaging concept and the character presentation as the conceptual framework. In the dramas, the five aspects of the main character, i.e.: 1) her ability; 2) the brutal actions and the actions that were against the tradition of Chinese feudalism; 3) wifehood; 4) motherhood; and 5) the painful experiences in life, were studied and emphasized as the extent of the study. The results found that the character’s brutal images and the actions against the tradition of society were vividly presented, demonstrating the character’s ability to manage the situations in her life. The images of wifehood and motherhood were the least presented. In the four dramas, the images of the painful experiences in life were presented in very distinctive ways. It reflected how in the Chinese feudal system women were always subject to the strict traditions of Sāncóng sìdé (obeying three men and having the four virtues) which was used as the rationale to limit their roles in the society. The plots of the four dramas are portrayed based on the original literary works, especially on Wang Xi-Feng’s ability, her cruel actions and her downfall. As for the end of Wang Xi-Feng’s life, the four dramas presented it differently. The dramas reflected Wang Xi-Feng’s good deeds, even though her brutality could not be totally erased. However, the dramas helped the viewers to have more understanding on this character’s behaviours by portraying how hard she tried to retain her social status and roles in the society. Moreover, the four dramas clearly mirrored the hardship of women’s lives under Chinese feudalism.