TYPES OF FEMALE CHARACTERS IN CHINESE AND RUSSIAN CULTURES (BASED ON THE NOVELS “DREAM OF THE RED CHAMBER” BY CAO XUEQIN AND “WAR AND PEACE” BY L.N. TOLSTOY)

Abstract

This article presents a comparative analysis of female images in two classic novels, “War and Peace” and “Dream of the Red Chamber,” with the aim of exploring the types of female roles and the ethical values they reflect within the cultural contexts of Russia and China. The study reveals that Tolstoy and Cao Xueqin, in creating their female characters, were significantly influenced by the folklore of their respective countries. The female characters in their works not only inherit the typical traits of traditional figures, such as the loyal wife and devoted mother, but also adapt to social changes and new conditions, gaining new characteristics and fates. In Tolstoy’s “War and Peace,” female characters like Natasha Rostova and Marya Bolkonskaya exhibit loyalty, bravery, and self-sacrifice, traits characteristic of Russian traditional culture. However, they also display a desire for personal independence and self-realization, which was innovative for that era [1, с. 196–199]. In Cao Xueqin’s “Dream of the Red Chamber,” female figures like Lin Daiyu and Xue Baochai reflect the complex position of women in feudal Chinese society. Lin Daiyu, who seeks free love and self-expression, challenges Confucian norms, while Xue Baochai embodies traditional ideals of female gentleness and submissiveness, yet also faces a tragic fate. The article also examines the similarities and differences between the classic female images from Russian and Chinese folklore and the characters created by Tolstoy and Cao Xueqin. The study highlights the significant influence of folklore on literary classics and reveals how these female images reflect societal expectations as well as the social status and fate of women in different historical periods. The findings provide new perspectives for understanding female roles in Russian and Chinese literature and represent a valuable contribution to the development of comparative literary studies.