Questions and Topics We Can Help You Answering; 

One way to read The Story of the Stone is in relation to the traditional Chinese Confucian view, which was further emphasized by the Qing empire that was ruling when this book was written (see the background reading): namely, that the important thing for a boy of Baoyu’s social status is preparation for government service through dedication to his studies. Given how Bao-yu is handled by Cao Xueqin (remember “Cao” is the author’s surname), what do you think The Story of the Stone’s take on (attitude to) the Confucian ideal is?