紅樓夢の構成について

Abstract

The Hung-lou-meng of Ts'ao Chan 曹霑 seems to be divided into two parts; the chapters from the beginning to the fifty-fourth depict the glorious days of the Chia 賈 family, whereas the chapters 54 to 80, where Ts'ao terminated his writing chores, depict the decline of the family. The eventual decline is cleverly suggested in various parts of the first section, and is realized in the second section. Examining closer the first section, the author finds that it again is divided into three parts, each part comprising eighteen chapters. There are further indications that such was also the plan of Ts'ao Chan for the second section, again three parts, each of which were to comprise approximately eighteen chapters.