Dream of the Red Chamber, Volume 1

One function of Story of the Stone is its capacity to shed light on Chinese customs, value systems, and social hierarchies during this period in Chinese history. As such, the social and economic relationships between various characters illuminate a larger system of social hierarchy and a broader understanding of the Eastern world during this period. The book isn’t an instructional guide in the art of social customs; instead, the characters often serve as warnings against certain inappropriate or immoral behaviors, even those that are higher class. In that sense, the book also serves as a cultural critique of the idea that high social class automatically indicates spiritual or social superiority. In fact, many of the moral characters in the book—Bao-chai, Qin Zhong, and the maid Crimson—are not those of the highest social standing.

The intimidation and ingrained nature of proper social customs is clear when Dai-yu first arrives at the Rong mansion. Dai-yu is not a poor girl and came from a relatively comfortable household, with money to pay for a private tutor for her schooling. However, when Dai-yu meets the servants from the Rong house, she realizes quickly how much wealthier and more powerful they are than her own family: