THE DREAM OF THE RED CHAMBER
PLOT
In ancient Nanjing, a boy was born into the great JIA FAMILY with a
rare jade in his mouth. He was named BAOYU (
The Jade) and
quickly became the favorite of all of who lived at the great Rong
Palace. BAOYU, with inborn tenderness and affection, cared much for
the ladies around him, especially for DAIYU, his cousin. DAIYU'S
mother died when she was a child leaving her alone in the world.
She soon deemed BAOYU as her only true love. But the love between
BAOYU and DAIYU was challenged by the interference of the popular
and charming, BAOCHAI, another cousin of BAOYU from another noble
family, who was far better at meeting and pleasing people. BAOYU
becomes a rebel against his feudal family, objecting to the idea of
scholarly honor and official rank. DAIYU is the only one who
understands him. Love becomes a tacit understanding and mutual
expectation between the two young innocents. When the bride, chosen
by the family for BAOYU, turns out to be BAOCHAI ; DAIYU weeps to
death in depression. BAOYU proceeds with his helpless and hopeless
filial resistance; leaving his family to become a cloistered monk
and to live out his days on earth alone in spiritual
contemplation.