Research On Significance Of Jonathan D. Spence’s Ts’ao Yin And K’ang-hsi Emperor To A Dream Of Red Mansions’ Studies

Ts’ao Yin and K’ang-hsi Emperor, a doctoral dissertation of history completed by Jonathan D. Spence in 1965, researches mainly on Ts’ao Yin’s lifetime and special relationship between Ts’ao Yin and K’ang-his. Jonathan D. Spence quotes many parts of contexts in A Dream of Red Mansions in order to support his historical research. He also puts forward his own views to literary research concerning A Dream of Red Mansions. Ts’ao Yin and K’ang-hsi Emperor which is influenced largely by Zhou Ruchang’s book New Evidence of A Dream of Red Mansions has limited achievements in the collection of historical materials. However, the book makes breakthroughs in the following two aspects. One is its special narrative of combining theme-centered narrative and time sequence narrative. Two is its analysis on Ts’ao Yin’s personality and thoughts as well as his relationship with K’ang-his by adopting a micro view. Previous studies on Ts’ao Yin and K’ang-hsi Emperor mostly centers on the book’s historical value, with few research paying emphasis on the book’s value for Redology studies. Zhang Hui, a professor in Hong Kong Baptist University, is the only scholar who generally researches on its value for Redology studies. On the basis of her research, the author of this thesis is willing to explore deeper towards the book’s value for Redology studies in a more comprehensive and systematic manner. The thesis includes six main parts, which are as followed:The first is introduction of the thesis. The part will make a detailed analysis on research background of Ts’ao study when Ts’ao Yin and K’ang-hsi Emperor is published, summarize the book’s research features and its contribution and inspiration to redology study. Chapter one centers on Jonathan D. Spence’s research of Ts’ao family’s background from both political and cultural educational perspectives. It helps us understand deeper about the sources of material and spiritual culture in A Dream of Red Mansions. Chapter two will explore the close relations between Ts’ao family’s Baoyi identity and the political tone of A Dream of Red Mansions based on research of Ts’ao family’s identity and social status. Chapter three will list some secret memorials and historical materials in Ts’ao Yin and K’ang-hsi Emperor, and analyze the special relationship between Ts’ao Yin and K’ang-his from human inner emotions’ perspective. The chapter aims at making clear that the special relationship has a decisive influence on Ts’ao family’s fate, whether the family being prosperous or not. It helps understand the fundamental reason behind the rise and fall of the Four Families. Chapter four points out some misconceptions in Ts’ao Yin and K’ang-hsi Emperor, and several related doubtful points in redology study. The chapter will also correct these misconceptions by using the method of "mutual reflection of literature and history’" and provide the author’s opinions on these doubtful points. The final part is the conclusion and summary of the whole thesis. The thesis aims at summarizing research features and findings in Ts’ao Yin and K’ang-hsi Emperor. It pays special emphasis on the research features and findings that have enlightenments and significance towards A Dream of Red Mansions studies. It will also analyze the close bonds between the features and findings and A Dream of Red Mansions studies.