Best Kevin Wilson, William Jones Podcasts (2024)

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Ep. 85: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢 Chapter 40 part 1 1:06:34

5M ago1:06:34

1:06:34

It's Chapter 40 of Dream of the Red Chamber (Story of the Stone, Hongloumeng), and we're accompanying Grannie Liu on her tour of Prospect Garden. In what ways is the garden reflective of, and in dialogue with, Grannie’s Liu’s dreams and desires? What does Grannie Liu accurately perceive on her tour, and where does she project? And what about the “c…

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Ep. 84: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢 Chapter 39 part 2 51:14

7M ago51:14

51:14

In this episode, we puzzle over Grannie Liu’s arithmetic while questioning how age and social class more broadly inform her interactions with Grandmother Jia. A continuation of our discussion of chapter 39 of Dream of the Red Chamber (Story of the Stone), a classic work of historical Chinese literature. Support the show! https://www.buzzsprout.com/…

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Ep. 83: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢 chapter 39 part 1/2 1:01:31

9M ago1:01:31

1:01:31

We treat the first part of Chapter 39 of Dream of the Red Chamber (Story of the Stone, Hongloumeng), as Li Wan and friends wax philosophical on the importance of having good servants to dissipate loneliness... our discussion turns toward issues of social value, and the paradoxes of hierarchy and intimacy. Support the show…

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Ep. 82: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢 Chapter 38 part 4 1:06:58

11M ago1:06:58

1:06:58

The end (or is it beginning?) of our Chapter 38 review! (This was originally intended to be the first episode we’d release, but it was the last to be recorded, and we forgot to rearrange them.) The final part of our foray into this dense and rich chapter of Dream of the Red Chamber (Story of the Stone). Support the show…

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Episode 81: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢 Chapter 38 part 3 44:12

1y ago44:12

44:12

The Chapter 38 poetry review continues! No poetic stone left unturned! Support the showBy Kevin Wilson, William Jones

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Ep. 80: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢 Chapter 38 part 2 57:48

1y ago57:48

57:48

The Chapter 38 poetry review of Hong lou meng (Dream of the Red Chamber, Story of the Stone) continues! Note: as indicated in the episode, some “creative” post-production editing was performed in order to improve upon and to correct elements of our original commentary. Also note: The Greek painter whose name escapes Kevin in the episode is Parrhasi…

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Episode 79: Rereading Hong lou meng Chapter 紅樓夢 Chapter 38 part 1 1:23:06

1+ y ago1:23:06

1:23:06

After a brief but productive hiatus, in which considerable Hong lou meng’ing was happening “behind the scenes,” Rereading returns, with a poetry-pilled perusal of Chapter 38! This is the first part of our exploration of this chapter. Support the showBy Kevin Wilson, William Jones

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Ep 78: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢 chapter 37 part 2/2 57:56

1+ y ago57:56

57:56

New poetry club “The Crab-flower Club” 海棠社 just dropped, and Daiyu is sweeping up sunsets. Meanwhile Baoyu can’t seem to keep on-prompt… Support the showBy Kevin Wilson, William Jones

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Ep. 77: Hong lou meng chapter 37 part 1/2 1:32:44

2y ago1:32:44

1:32:44

“Why should the founding of poetry clubs be the sole prerogative of the whiskered male, and female versificators allowed a voice in the tunable concert of the muses only when some enlightened patriarch sees fit to invite them? Will you come, then, and rhyme with us?” New poetry club “The Crab-flower Club” 海棠社 just dropped! The latest installation o…

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Ep. 76: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢, Chapter 36 part 2/2 43:43

2y ago43:43

43:43

Baoyu expounds upon one of his favorite topics, his notion of the ideal death, linking it to idle visions shared by his soulmate. He then goes off in search of a song, only to find the baleful laments of a caged bird in a hall of mirrors. Support the showBy Kevin Wilson, William Jones

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Ep. 75: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢, Chapter 36 part 1/2 1:06:12

2y ago1:06:12

1:06:12

Time to choose: do you believe in the marriage of gold and jade, or do you believe in the marriage of stone and flower? Check out part 1 of our discussion of chapter 36 of Dream of the Red Chamber, or The Story of the Stone. Support the showBy Kevin Wilson, William Jones

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Ep. 74: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢, Chapter 35 part 2/2 42:16

2y ago42:16

42:16

Baoyu is poorly regarded by visitors, and Baochai sends subtle signals to Aroma. We discuss families and fortunes. Note: I’ve preserved a weird audio effect at the end of the episode for a behind-the-scenes feel, and because I thought it was funny. Support the showBy Kevin Wilson, William Jones

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Ep. 73: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢, Chapter 35 part 1/2 51:47

2y ago51:47

51:47

Daiyu is expertly trolled by a bird, and Baoyu tries to charm Silver. Baoyu tries to get Grandmother Jia to praise Daiyu, but she praises Baochai instead. Meanwhile we attempt to ascertain the social-hierarchical significance of who serves whom, and who sits when. Support the showBy Kevin Wilson, William Jones

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Ep 72: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢 chapter 34 part 2/2 49:38

2+ y ago49:38

49:38

Is love disgusting? Why wouldn’t it be? If your love is not reaching toward some infinite embrace, the quality of being unqualified, is it love? After a discussion of the handkerchief verses, we discuss Xue Pan and the “dark social alchemy” of violence and quantification. Support the showBy Kevin Wilson, William Jones

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Ep. 71: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢, Chapter 34 part 1/2 44:08

2+ y ago44:08

44:08

In the aftermath of the beating, who really cares and who is putting on appearances? What pain can more tears rebalance? A stained handkerchief can be a symbol, and a medium for artistic response. There is mutual understanding developing in the garden, but does falsity fatally ruin the whole concept of meta-cognition? Support the show…

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Ep. 70: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢, Chapter 33 part 2/2 29:47

2+ y ago29:47

29:47

Baoyu is beaten! How does the ideology of filial piety inform this scene, when it is intra-familial conflict that, in part, brings it in being? Support the showBy Kevin Wilson, William Jones

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Ep. 69: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢, Chapter 33 part 1/2 32:09

2+ y ago32:09

32:09

An actor, the female impersonator Jiang Yuhan, has exited the Prince of Zhongshun’s stage, his gifted sash contradicting Baoyu’s claims of ignorance. Which path of fate is being depicted, and why must extreme violence befall Baoyu? Support the showBy Kevin Wilson, William Jones

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Ep. 68: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢, Chapter 32 part 2/2 31:05

2+ y ago31:05

31:05

The death of Golden 金釧! Who is at fault for her premature demise? Is there any agency in, and meaning to one’s actions, when symbols prefigure, and fate seems fixed? Support the showBy Kevin Wilson, William Jones

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Ep 67: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢 chapter 32 part 1/2 1:09:41

2+ y ago1:09:41

1:09:41

Xiangyun 湘雲 is here, and she comes bearing gifts and opinions. What’s the meaning of a gift? Do duplicates double in value? For Baoyu, is the value of linen dependent upon the familiarity of the hand crafting it? And what’s the use in a message that reaches the wrong recipient? Support the showBy Kevin Wilson, William Jones

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Ep 66: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢 chapter 31 part 2/2 29:57

2+ y ago29:57

29:57

A short Xiangyun 湘雲 episode! We attempt to decipher her thoughts on yinyang 陰陽 philosophy and how it relates to her relationship with her maid Kingfisher 翠縷. The metaphysics of golden qilin 麒麟 in Dream of the Red Chamber/ Story of the Stone (紅樓夢, 红楼梦) are also briefly addressed. Support the showBy Kevin Wilson, William Jones

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Ep. 65: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢, Chapter 31 part 1/2 50:34

2+ y ago50:34

50:34

What are the ethics of using an object? Is it immoral to break something just for the sound of it? What social, political, and economic sacrifices are justified, when performed for those closest? DISCLAIMER: no fans were hurt in the recording of this episode. Support the showBy Kevin Wilson, William Jones

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Ep. 64: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢, Chapter 30 part 2/2 36:05

3y ago36:05

36:05

What meaning could reside in a hairpin? When is a hairpin a pen, and which character is being written? Would a false Xi Shi 西施 dream of real roses? Part 2 of our discussion of Chapter 30 of "Dream of the Red Chamber" Hong lou meng 紅樓夢, "Story of the Stone" (石頭記). Support the showBy Kevin Wilson, William Jones

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Ep. 63: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢, Chapter 30 part 1/2 1:00:45

3y ago1:00:45

1:00:45

In the space between dreaming and waking, what rules apply? What feelings are displaced in acts of judgment? Do those who dream us wish us well? A turning point in Dream of the Red Chamber (Story of the Stone 石頭記) (Hong lou meng, Hongloumeng) (紅樓夢, 红楼梦), the story of the ill-fated Golden 金釧. Support the show…

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Ep 62: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢 chapter 29 part 2/2 44:19

3y ago44:19

44:19

Plays within plays, and a meta-cognitive dispute! Is every jade tear still a microcosm? Do two false representations make one shared reality? Part 2 of our discussion of Chapter 29 of Dream of the Red Chamber (紅樓夢，红楼梦), Story of the Stone (石头记). Support the showBy Kevin Wilson, William Jones

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Ep 61: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢 chapter 29 part 1/2 55:38

3y ago55:38

55:38

In Chapter 29 of Dream of the Red Chamber (Hongloumeng 紅樓夢, Story of the Stone 石頭記), the crew is out and about in full force. Even before the plays begin, a spitting is delegated, a collision is mitigated, and a famous jade is investigated. Support the showBy Kevin Wilson, William Jones

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Ep 60: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢 chapter 28 part 2/2 1:12:10

3y ago1:12:10

1:12:10

The poetry party, an artistic dream within a dream, continues! Readers of Dream of the Red Chamber (Story of the Stone 石頭記, Hongloumeng 紅樓夢) are here first introduced to the poetic stylings of Xue Pan 薛蟠, arguably the first postmodern brutalist poet in the classical Chinese literary tradition! Support the show…

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Ep. 59: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢, Chapter 28 part 1/2 1:08:58

3y ago1:08:58

1:08:58

Baoyu and Daiyu try to work through mutual misunderstanding, and matters of medicine reemerge. At Feng Ziying’s party, verses are improvised on the subject of female joys and sorrows, yet another poetic opportunity for red chamber dream projections. Support the showBy Kevin Wilson, William Jones

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Ep 58: Hong lou meng chapter 27 part 2/2 40:11

3y ago40:11

40:11

In this episode we broach one of the most central questions of Dream of the Red Chamber 紅樓夢 — why bury fallen flowers? Attempting to answer this question, we discuss cuckoos, mottled bamboo, the end of spring, cold pillows, inner chambers, and tears of blood. We also touch upon the relationship between interpretative spaces and values to live by. S…

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Ep. 57: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢, Chapter 27 part 1/2 51:40

3y ago51:40

51:40

Baoyu seeks Daiyu, who is notably absent bemoaning the season. Baochai chases butterflies, and Crimson enumerates a bewildering array of ladies. Support the showBy Kevin Wilson, William Jones

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Ep. 56: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢, Chapter 26 part 2/2 34:45

3y ago34:45

34:45

A scion of great wealth demonstrates a dearth of erudition, while a legendary worrier transcends nature’s limits. Support the showBy Kevin Wilson, William Jones

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Ep. 55: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢, Chapter 26 part 1/2 57:28

3y ago57:28

57:28

Real affections between Crimson and Jia Yun are ornamented by dream and fantasy, while the Name of the Father is appropriated for idle pleasures. Daiyu’s feelings of social exclusion are accentuated by the proximity of desire. Support the showBy Kevin Wilson, William Jones

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Ep. 54: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢, Chapter 25 part 2/2 49:33

3y ago49:33

49:33

Things get weird when Mother Ma throws down a surprisingly efficacious curse. Xifeng starts slaughtering miscellaneous animals, and Baoyu is consumed by suicidal ideation. We discuss the fortuitous, surprising reappearance of the Daoist priest and Buddhist monk, and Baoyu’s relationship to, and identity with, his magical, metafictional jade. Suppor…

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Ep. 53: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢, Chapter 25 part 1/2 50:20

3y ago50:20

50:20

A time of danger, with molten wax and curses raining down on Baoyu! We discuss Aunt Zhao’s resentment, Mother Ma’s sesame oil subscription service, and the sublime, surprising role of the supernatural in this chapter of Dream of the Red Chamber 紅樓夢. Support the showBy Kevin Wilson, William Jones

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Ep 52: Hong lou meng review episode (Ch. 13-24) 1:29:24

3y ago1:29:24

1:29:24

Our second twelve-chapter review episode, chapters 13-24. A great chance to review one's rereading, with some fresh takes thrown in for good measure. Support the showBy Kevin Wilson, William Jones

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Ep. 51: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢, Chapter 24 part 2/2 49:36

3y ago49:36

49:36

We continue discussing Jia Yun’s perilous navigation of our constellation of stars, while Baoyu from an empty center thirsts for tea and attention. Support the showBy Kevin Wilson, William Jones

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Ep. 50: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢, Chapter 24 part 1/2 56:12

3+ y ago56:12

56:12

Let’s talk Jia Yun, a distant and poorer member of the extended Jia universe. How does this peripheral player navigate our constellation of stars? Would you take a loan from a drunken, violence-prone moneylender in order to bribe Wang Xifeng? Likewise, we observe the maids attending Baoyu viciously vying for the most favorable orbits. Support the s…

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Episode 49 Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢, Chapter 23 part 2/2 55:28

3+ y ago55:28

55:28

In this episode, we finish our read-through of Baoyu’s seasonal poems, empathizing common themes and images. Meanwhile Baoyu has newly procured scandalous romantic literature and has snuck a few texts into the garden, including the famous Xixiang ji 西廂記 Romance of the Western Chamber. Join us for one of the most iconic moments of Dream of the Red C…

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Episode 48 Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢, Chapter 23 part 1/2 1:09:24

3+ y ago1:09:24

1:09:24

An imperial injunction — to enjoy? Baoyu and the young ladies of the compound receive orders from the Imperial Concubine Yuanchun to move into the garden and reside in its various small houses. Will a life lived aesthetically affect the soul? Baoyu during the late nights transcribes improvisational visions of his waking dream, each poem dedicated t…

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Episode 47 Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢, Chapter 22 part 2/2 58:50

3+ y ago58:50

58:50

In this episode, we explore the enigmatic, prophetic riddles in the second half of Chapter 22 of Dream of the Red Chamber (Story of the Stone). What controversies exist due to there being divergent versions of the text? What branching fates and vicissitudinous fortunes are posited in these gloomy lines? And why is Jia Zheng especially affected by t…

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Episode 46 Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢, Chapter 22 part 1/2 1:12:26

3+ y ago1:12:26

1:12:26

‘Can’t you be a bit quieter and attend to the play? This is Zhi-shen at the Monastery Gate we’re supposed to be listening to, not Jing-de Acts the Madman!’ Baoyu expresses in poetic verse, following a performance during Baochai’s birthday festivities, his thoughts on Buddhist enlightenment, but Daiyu and Baochai promptly burst his bubble. Are they …

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Episode 45 Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢, Chapter 21 part 2/2 36:40

3+ y ago36:40

36:40

In our coverage of the second half of Chapter 21 of Dream of the Red Chamber, we focus on the infidelities of Jia Lian and the dynamics of his marriage with Xifeng. Observing a ritually-prescribed separation from Xifeng on account of his daughter’s recovery from smallpox, Jia Lian has the opportunity to bed another occupant of the Jia compound know…

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Episode 44 Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢, Chapter 21 part 1/2 47:55

3+ y ago47:55

47:55

Chapter 21’s quotidian garden affairs prompt a discussion of desire, identity, naming, and boundaries. Passive aggressive feuding between Baoyu and Xiren is displaced onto Baoyu’s interaction with other maids in the household; fed up with all these flagrantly fragrant designations, Baoyu on a whim re-renames a younger maid “Number 4.” His disconten…

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Episode 43 Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢, Chapter 20 part 2/2 43:31

3+ y ago43:31

43:31

Enter the garden Shi Xiangyun, one of the most beloved characters in Dream of the Red Chamber. Meanwhile the status anxieties of Jia Huan and Aunt Zhao are explored, and Baoyu and Daiyu continue perfecting the art of verbal escalation and “maybe I should just die” provocation. Support the showBy Kevin Wilson, William Jones

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Episode 42 Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢, Chapter 20 part 1/2 1:21:18

3+ y ago1:21:18

1:21:18

Enter the garden Shi Xiangyun, one of the most beloved characters in Dream of the Red Chamber. Meanwhile Nanny Li exchanges bitter words with Aroma, Jia Huan lets reveal his resentment toward Baoyu, and Daiyu is jealous of Baoyu’s time with Baochai. In this idle transitional moment, partly enforced by cultural prohibitions on labor, the garden and …

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Episode 41 Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢, Chapter 19 part 2/2 47:28

3+ y ago47:28

47:28

Baoyu, the idle subject, subjects Aroma to surprise visitation. Aroma engages Baoyu with artful artifice, as characters and readers alike question the fantasy and reality of these social roles and relations. Later on Baoyu visits Daiyu and has aromatic memories of the Land of Illusion. Plus, we break down the “Sweet Potato” story Baoyu improvises. …

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Episode 40 Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢, Chapter 19 part 1/2 57:06

3+ y ago57:06

57:06

Baoyu, idle and seeking artifice, stumbles upon real acts of desire. If Chapter 5 represents the dream as a form of desire, how does Chapter 19 represent artistic forms? In this first part of our Chapter 19 discussion, we discuss Baoyu’s ambiguous relationship with Aroma, his interactions with Nanny Li, and his lack of self-awareness. Support the s…

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Episode 39 Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢, Chapter 18 part 4/4 59:55

3+ y ago59:55

59:55

The final part of our deep-dive into the poetry showcased in Chapter 18 celebrating Yuanchun’s visit home. In this part we consider all of the contributions in Baoyu’s name. Issues of nature versus the natural reemerge, and Daiyu continues to be a poet diva. Behold the garden, behold the dream! Relax, enjoy some partially-enclosed spice mountains, …

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Episode 38 Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢, Chapter 18 part 3/4 1:19:53

3+ y ago1:19:53

1:19:53

The first part of our deep-dive into the poetry showcased in Chapter 18 celebrating Yuanchun’s visit home. In this part we consider all of the contributions except those in Baoyu’s name. Specific interpretations are offered and critiqued, while general theoretical concerns previously addressed reemerge. How do these poems reflect the personalities …

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Episode 37 Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢, Chapter 18 part 2/4 41:45

3+ y ago41:45

41:45

We continue exploring Yuanchun’s new social standing in this episode. What does it mean to live in a gilded cage, a shimmering space of ritual and power? How does her new position affect her relationship with her family? Meanwhile poet-rockstar Daiyu feels that her talents are going to waste, Baochai plays the teacher, and Baoyu cheats on the test.…

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Episode 35 Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢, Chapter 18 part 1/4 44:18

3+ y ago44:18

44:18

Imperial Concubine Yuanchun returns home to visit family, to see the garden constructed in her honor, to review and edit the names and couplets assigned to all of the most famous spots, and to hear the celebratory, yet serious, poems everyone has written for the occasion. We begin by discussing temporal discrepancies in this chapter, exploring the …

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