Heterogeneous Repetition in a Dream of Red Mansions

Abstract

The study of A Dream of Red Mansions in China has so far been mainly based on Chinese literary critic theories. Western critic theories are needed to get more artistic value and meanings from this novel. Heterogeneous Repetition on the narrative line is a term developed for literary criticism by Hill Miller based on linguistic theories. It refers to one character or event being repeated later on in the novel yet in different forms. In A Dream of Red Mansions, some cases of conspicuous heterogeneous repetition can be identified. Analysis of heterogeneous repetition in the novel helps to shed some light on complexity of the novel’s narrative and heterogeneity of its protagonist.