Author(s)

Wujuan Wang

School of Arts and Sciences, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi’an, China.

Based on Hofstede’s theory of cultural dimensions, this study examines the manifestation of collectivism and power distance in Confucian culture through the analysis of conversations in two episodes of A Dream of Red Mansions. The analysis was carried out through probing into the dual identity of each character involved, the messages encoded and decoded, the words and actions of each participant depicted in the conversation. Through a detailed conversation analysis, the study concludes that interdependence plays an important role in Confucian culture. The distinction between in-group and out-group members results in different expectations and treatment of the two groups in the interpersonal relationship. Hierarchy is a major feature of traditional Chinese culture; a woman’s position varies in accordance with the change of her marital status, a distinctive feature of Confucian culture. The study findings are applicable to international negotiation and intercultural communication.

Confucian Culture, A Dream of Red Mansions, Hofstede’s Theory of Cultural Dimensions, Collectivism, Power Distance

Wang, W. (2021) Collectivism and Power Distance in A Dream of Red Mansions. Open Journal of Modern Linguistics, 11, 67-82. doi: 10.4236/ojml.2021.111006.