Abstract: China's feudal etiquette system has been deeply rooted in social development since ancient times, emphasizing hierarchical order and social stability. The pursuit of individual freedom, on the other hand, is restricted and suppressed in this system. This conflict has an important impact on the characters and the development of the plot. However, with the changes in society, this conflict is also undergoing a subtle transformation.
Keywords: feudal etiquette, personal freedom, conflict.
Under the grand cultural candlestick, the conflict between feudal etiquette and individual freedom in traditional Chinese culture is hardly to be found. This internal conflict casts the organism for the characters in the story, pushes the plot to a climax, and provides the reader with profound material for thought. Ukrainian poet Eugene Marcose: "Art is always the product of contradictions. This is especially evident in traditional Chinese culture.
1. Feudal Etiquette and Individual Freedom: Conflicting Symbols.
Throughout China's history, feudal etiquette has always been an important social norm. It represents social order, hierarchy and the relationship between dignity and inferiority, and is the foundation of social stability and harmony. However, with the progress of society and the awakening of individual consciousness, the concept of individual freedom has gradually come to the fore. These two ideas clash with each other to some extent and become a kind of symbol.
Feudal etiquette emphasizes obedience and respect, and individuals must act in accordance with certain norms and etiquette, and must not violate the social order. In this system, the will and needs of the individual are limited to a certain range and must be subordinated to the interests of the whole. This concept dominated feudal society and played a positive role in maintaining social stability and harmony.
However, with the progress of society and the awakening of personal consciousness, people began to pursue more freedoms and rights. Personal freedom means that individuals have the right to determine their own actions and choices, without outside interference and restrictions. This concept emphasizes the independence and autonomy of the individual, and pursues personal happiness and satisfaction.
In this context, the conflict between feudal etiquette and individual freedom became increasingly apparent. On the one hand, people yearn for more freedom and rights, and pursue personal happiness and satisfaction;On the other hand, feudal etiquette emphasizes obedience and respect, maintaining social order and stability. To a certain extent, this conflict reflects the contradiction between social progress and the awakening of individual consciousness.
To resolve this conflict, we need to find a balance. It is necessary not only to respect individual freedoms and rights, but also to maintain social order and stability. This requires us to pay more attention to the needs and rights of individuals on the basis of respecting feudal etiquette and promote the progress and development of society. Only in this way can we truly achieve social harmony and progress.
In Dream of Red Mansions, Jia Baoyu has both the shackles of feudal etiquette and the desire for personal freedom. Jia Baoyu, an important character in the masterpiece Dream of Red Mansions, is endowed with mysterious and complex character traits. He is a shackler and escapee from feudal etiquette, and a symbol of the pursuit of personal freedom. And these two constitute a seemingly calm but actually violent tension, like two sharp blades, building a turbulent battlefield between Jia Baoyu and the surrounding social environment.
On the one hand, Jia Baoyu was trapped in the shackles of feudal etiquette and couldn't extricate himself. He is a son who is highly anticipated by his parents, born in a wealthy family, with the pressure of many family responsibilities, and a deep social system and feudal etiquette. For example, Jia's mother's birthday banquet symbolizes such a power structure and social order, and Baoyu needs to be cautious in her words and actions in this structure and order, and her actions are strictly monitored and regulated. Accept feudal education, accept the marriage arranged by the family, and continue the life trajectory of the wealthy family ......For him, these are like unsharpened arrows, firmly fixing him in the system of feudal etiquette.
On the other hand, Jia Baoyu was extremely eager for personal freedom and rebelled against the shackles of feudal etiquette. He managed to refuse to go to school because he hated that book and education, and he chose to go to the "Rong Mansion.""Enjoy leisure alone in the secret garden, and the game is in the world;He was unwilling to accept the marriage arranged by the family, and chose Lin Daiyu, whom he loved deeply, which was unacceptable to feudal etiquette;Through his dialogues with Jia Mu, Raider, Aunt Xue and others, and through his words and deeds, he strongly expressed his enthusiasm and pursuit of personal freedom. And these are precisely the challenges and rebellions against feudal etiquette.
How to obtain personal freedom in the feudal social environment and obtain the release of one's true self, Jia Baoyu is actually the call of everyone's heart for thousands of years. This seemingly silly dream shines brightly on Jia Baoyu. His straightforward character and the concept of freedom he pursued were undoubtedly like a sharp knife piercing into the fortress of feudal etiquette.
Jia Baoyu's image presents the conflict between one's ideals and reality in feudal society. He not only shouted for the pursuit of individual freedom, but also showed people the exploitation and oppression of individual life by feudal etiquette. This kind of struggle is not only reflected in Jia Baoyu, but also in all those who pursue freedom and rebel against authority. He was the one who struggled, screamed, resisted in the midst of painful predicaments, the uncompromising anti-feudal fighter, the sustained and affectionate seeker of personal freedom. He is like a torch in the depths of the jungle, always illuminating the way forward, so that everyone who pursues freedom can see the light of hope.
2. Conflict and character building.
The existence of conflict makes the characters more rich and three-dimensional, and the multifaceted nature of the characters further exacerbates the conflict. In **, the diversity of characters' personalities, experiences, values, etc., makes the conflict between them more complex and multi-dimensional. These conflicts not only show the character traits of the characters, but also drive the storyline forward, making the whole story more vivid and flesh-and-blood. At the same time, these conflicts also allow the reader to have a deeper understanding of the characters, further enhancing the reader's reading experience. Therefore, the presence of conflict not only enriches the characters, but also drives the development of the storyline and enhances the reader's reading experience.
In "Journey to the West", Sun Wukong's spirit of resistance and uncompromise is his embodiment in the conflict with feudal etiquette. He longed for personal freedom and challenged the authority of feudal etiquette, and this insistence on personal freedom showed his heroic character.
In the Journey to the West story, Sun Wukong was named the Monkey King, but he was not satisfied with this title. Feudal etiquette tied him to a specific identity and was not free to use his abilities and potential. The Monkey King aspires to break through this shackle and pursue personal freedom. He did not accept any form of restriction and did not want to be controlled by what he considered to be the constraints of feudal etiquette. This quest for personal freedom brought him into conflict with the authority of feudal etiquette.
Sun Wukong is a vigorous and talented individual, he has mastered many extraordinary abilities, such as seventy-two changes, Guanyin sitting on the lotus, etc. However, feudal etiquette forbade him to display these abilities, forcing him to hide his talents. This is in stark contrast to Sun Wukong's personality of daring to challenge feudal etiquette.
In "Journey to the West", the personal freedom of the Monkey King is an important aspect of his heroic character. He is not bound by etiquette and does not obey any constraints. His defiance and uncompromising spirit make him a hero like no other. Sun Wukong not only demonstrated his heroism through actions such as making havoc in the Heavenly Palace and fighting against Bi Ma Wen, but more importantly, the spirit of personal liberalism embodied in him.
His heroic actions and insistence on freedom have aroused the admiration and resonance of readers. Especially in the ancient society where feudal etiquette prevailed, Sun Wukong's concept of personal liberalism was a strong spiritual force for people. With his words and deeds, Sun Wukong shows readers a true heroic image: not afraid of difficulties, uncompromising, and pursuing self-realization.
The Monkey King's personal freedom is also one of the reasons for the conflict between him and the other characters. Representatives of feudal etiquette, such as the Jade Emperor and Guanyin Bodhisattva, often felt angry and shocked by his resistance in their exchanges with Sun Wukong. This conflict further exacerbates the rich three-dimensionality of the Monkey King's image, making him a flesh-and-blood, combative and resilient heroic character.
Sun Wukong's pursuit of personal freedom in "Journey to the West", the conflict with feudal etiquette, shows his heroic character. He longed for personal freedom, challenged the authority of feudal etiquette, and did not accept restrictions of any kind. This kind of heroic perseverance, especially in the ancient society where feudal etiquette prevailed, was extremely valuable and valuable. Through his spirit of resistance and uncompromise, Sun Wukong has a profound conflict with feudal etiquette, making his character image more rich and three-dimensional. At the same time, this conflict makes it easier for readers to empathize with and draw strength and courage from it in the pursuit of personal freedom and self-fulfillment.
3. Conflict and plot development.
The conflict between feudal etiquette and individual freedom was a common contradiction in ancient society. This contradiction is reflected in many literary works, and it builds the impetus for the plot to unfold.
In ancient feudal society, etiquette was the cornerstone of social order and the norm of people's behavior. However, individual freedoms are often limited and constrained by etiquette. Such restrictions and constraints can sometimes feel suffocating and even create an urge to rebel.
In many literary works, this contradiction is vividly displayed. For example, in "Dream of Red Mansions", Jia Baoyu and Lin Daiyu and others are often bound by feudal etiquette, and their pursuit of freedom and true love is often restricted. This restriction not only makes them feel miserable, but also makes them value their personal freedom even more. At the same time, in ancient societies, this contradiction was often used to shape the image of the person. For example, in "Water Margin", Wu Song did not hesitate to rebel against feudal etiquette in order to pursue personal freedom, and eventually became a hero. This kind of character creation not only gives readers a deeper understanding of the contradiction between etiquette and freedom in ancient society, but also allows readers to have a deeper understanding of the characters' personalities and fates.
In "The Legend of Children's Heroes", Yang Wenxin and Luo Xiuying, two young people, fell in love, but the ruthless feudal etiquette dismantled them and made them go against each other. Faced with such a cruel reality, they choose to rebel and are no longer bound, and at the same time, the plot is pushed to a climax.
Yang Wenxin and Luo Xiuying are two energetic and enthusiastic young people who are attracted to each other's firmness and sincerity at the beginning of their acquaintance. However, due to the limitations of feudal etiquette, they came from different families and were destined not to be together. It is this unfair and cruel reality that makes the love between them have a strong conflict.
For Yang Wenxin and Luo Xiuying, feudal etiquette is like an invisible wall, ruthlessly separating them. Feudal etiquette dictates that they must choose their spouse according to the family's arrangement, and cannot freely choose according to their true feelings. This made Yang Wenxin and Luo Xiuying feel imprisoned in an insurmountable cage. However, their desire for personal freedom and their ardent desire for true love led them to rebel.
Faced with the restrictions imposed on them by feudal etiquette, Yang Wenxin and Luo Xiuying chose to rebel. They are determined to no longer accept the shackles of feudal etiquette and insist on choosing their life partners according to their hearts. This act of rebellion is undoubtedly a sign of courage and determination, but also an insistence on personal freedom and true love.
They are no longer at the mercy of feudal etiquette, no longer worried about family opposition and the eyes of society. Instead, they chose to pursue their own happiness and freedom, daring to take risks and face all kinds of difficulties. This rebellious courage and determination made them a true hero in "The Legend of Heroes".
This rebellion is not only a challenge to feudal etiquette, but also a question of the status quo of society as a whole. Yang Wenxin and Luo Xiuying's choice is not only for their own happiness, but also for the hope of breaking the shackles of feudal etiquette, so that everyone can choose the path of life according to their own wishes and pursuits.
It was the rebellious spirit of Yang Wenxin and Luo Xiuying that pushed the plot of "The Legend of Children's Heroes" to a climax. Their love has experienced all kinds of setbacks and difficulties, but their persistence and bravery have enabled them to finally overcome all difficulties and win the victory of true love. This love story is not only the success of the two of them, but also the struggle and change of feudal etiquette.
Through the stories of Yang Wenxin and Luo Xiuying, "The Legend of Children's Heroes" conveys to readers a spirit of aggressiveness and the pursuit of personal freedom. Their rebellious actions inspire the reader to think about feudal etiquette and desire for personal freedom. This tells us that although feudal etiquette may be a powerful and insurmountable force, the dream of true love and personal freedom can still be realized as long as we bravely resist.
The conflict between feudal etiquette and personal freedom builds a strong impetus for the plot unfolding of "The Legend of Children's Heroes". Yang Wenxin and Luo Xiuying, as the protagonists, show their courage and perseverance by choosing rebellion and pursuing personal freedom. Their choices not only change their own destiny, but also give the reader courage and hope, and inspire a desire for personal freedom and the pursuit of true love. Through their stories, the reader is awakened to think and reflect on the constraints of feudal etiquette on individual freedom, and to take a brave step towards the pursuit of personal freedom.
Fourth, conflict, keep pace with the times.
The conflict between feudal etiquette and individual freedom has been repeatedly reflected in traditional Chinese culture, and with the changes in society, this conflict is also undergoing subtle changes. From the obedience of subordinates to the monarch in ancient times to the insistence on self-pursuit among young people in modern times, it reflects the efforts of each era to find a balance between personal freedom and social norms.
In ancient China, feudal etiquette occupied an extremely important position. It is a system that regulates behavior and social relations, allowing people to interact according to hierarchical sequences and family status. Under this system, the pursuit of individual freedom is often suppressed, and people are bound to the roles of monarch and courtier, parent and child. Obedience and respect for feudal etiquette were the cornerstones of social and family order and were seen as a virtue.
However, with the change of society and ideology, people began to question the constraints of feudal etiquette on individual freedom. Especially in modern society, young people's insistence on personal freedom and self-pursuit has become more and more prominent.
In the modern social atmosphere, young people pay more and more attention to the realization of personal value and self-development. They pursue independent thinking and no longer blindly follow traditional authorities and norms. They hope that through personal efforts, they will pursue their dreams and goals and no longer be bound by feudal etiquette. They stand for the right to individual freedom and for equality, diversity and inclusion. This rebellious spirit of young people and their quest for personal freedom have sparked widespread discussion and the need for change in society.
However, despite the growing awareness of individual freedom in modern society, there is still a balance between individual freedom and social norms. In real life, the promotion of individual freedom can have an impact on social order and individual responsibility. Therefore, society still needs certain norms and constraints in order to maintain social stability and harmony.
For the conflict between individual freedom and feudal etiquette, each era struggled to find a balance. Feudal etiquette is no longer an immutable system, but is constantly adjusted and changed with the changes of the times. Society is also paying more and more attention to the respect for individual freedom and individual values, and gradually forming a more inclusive and pluralistic social concept.
In this process, each individual is faced with a choice and balance between personal freedom and social norms. People need to think about the boundaries of individual freedom, and the respect and social responsibility for others while pursuing freedom. It is only in a balance between individual freedom and social norms that we can achieve a win-win situation for individual freedom and social development.
The clash of feudal etiquette and individual liberty exemplifies the efforts of each era to find a balance between individual liberty and social norms. The obedience in feudal society and the insistence on self-pursuit in modern society represent the changes in people's attitudes and ideas about individual freedom in different periods. The existence of such conflicts promotes the progress and change of society, and also promotes the formation of a harmonious relationship between individual freedom and social norms. It is only in the balance of individual freedom and social norms that we can achieve individual freedom and the harmonious development of society.
The conflict between feudal etiquette and personal freedom is a major theme in traditional Chinese culture, which creates numerous vivid characters and promotes the development of the plot. Their conflicts and collisions make us reflect on the importance of respecting the individual, while suggesting that we allow this conflict to be turned into a force for social progress. As Carl Jung said, "Conflict has a third person, and that is progress." How to explore the harmony and compromise with feudal etiquette in the freedom of personality without room and space may still be worth studying.