PUSLSH5S NOTE in this novel were typical basic political units of feudal 8O- icty. Such families were linked with the court above and the Iocaf officials below to form a network of control with the feudal autocratic state power as its tentre. The reaction ary rule of these four big families epitomizes the dark rule of feudal society As a whole, just as their decline reflects the inevitable doom of the entire feudal ystem. This novel describes the savage political oppression of the labouring masses by these four great families. Outside the Chia mansions, they use their powerful connections to in Auence local officials to hound people to death. As for the Chia mansions themselves, they are permeated with the darkness and cruelty of feudal rule: many bondmaid no better of than shaves are one by one trampled underfoot and done to death These magnificent houses described as"a place where fowers loutish, the home of pleasure and luxury, "are not shing but a slaughter-house This novel also describes the ruthless economic exploitation of the labouring masses by these great families of high officials, big landlords, tich imperial purveyors and big usurers. build up their fortunes by robbing other people and annexing their property; then by means of exorbitant land rent, high interest and their connection with local officials they insatiably suck the blood of the poor. Their aplendid mansions, glittering wealth and wanton luxury are all built on the bleached bones of the working people. Tbe book also depicts the inevitable doom of these families riven as they are by fence struggles among themselves and in society. Outside their walls, drought, food and crop failure drive the famished peasants to seize land by armed revolt; s their rule is tottering. Within their wall, their own slaver against them, giving their masters and mistresses ao rest The ruling class itself is split into contending factions, the appearnace of much rebels as Pao-yu and Tai-yu revealing the violent hammering at feudal orthodoxy by carly democratic reflects the growth of the seeds of capitalism