Core Viewpoint - The book "命若朝霜: 〈红楼梦〉里的法律、社会与女性" by Professor Ke Lan analyzes the legal and social conditions of women in the Qing Dynasty as depicted in "Dream of the Red Chamber," highlighting the systemic legal flaws that contributed to women's low status and the despair of the author Cao Xueqin [1][12]. Group 1: Legal Context and Women's Status - The book consists of 12 chapters, each focusing on the fate of a female character in "Dream of the Red Chamber," such as Qin Keqing and Lin Daiyu, and examines how events like collusion, abduction, childbirth, and family property distribution led them into legal predicaments [1]. - The analysis reveals deep-seated structural issues in Qing Dynasty law, including feudal hierarchy and the systemic disempowerment of women, which were not only the roots of the novel's tragedies but also the broader societal issues of the time [1][3]. Group 2: Case Studies and Legal Implications - Qin Keqing's death is often misunderstood in modern interpretations, but understanding the legal context of the Qing Dynasty reveals a more terrifying reality regarding her situation [1][3]. - Traditional Chinese law severely punished incestuous relationships, categorizing them as one of the "ten evils," with harsh penalties for those involved [3][4]. - The legal framework of the Qing Dynasty was family-centric, with strict penalties for crimes that disrupted family order, particularly regarding sexual offenses among relatives [4][8]. Group 3: Gender Dynamics and Legal Outcomes - The power dynamics in Qing families were heavily skewed in favor of patriarchs, who had significant judicial and enforcement powers over their family members, leading to a legal environment that often favored male perpetrators [8][10]. - The law provided minimal protection for women, particularly in cases of sexual assault by family members, where the legal repercussions for the aggressor were often lighter compared to the victim's potential consequences for self-defense [9][10]. - The book highlights that the legal system did not offer effective remedies for women facing sexual violence within the family, making them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse [9][10].

Group 1 - The First Financial Annual Humanities Book Selection started in 2017 and introduced a mid-year humanities book list for the first time during the Shanghai Book Fair this year [1] - The top ten books of the 2025 First Financial Mid-Year Humanities Book List include titles such as "The Nine Incense Sticks of Global History," "Life Like Morning Frost: Law, Society, and Women in 'Dream of the Red Chamber'," and "The Arab Sands" [1][26] - The editor-in-chief of First Financial, Yang Yudong, emphasized the importance of humanities reporting in financial media, stating that it reflects the spirit of humanity and is essential for understanding human history and social dynamics [2][1] Group 2 - Yang Yudong highlighted the need for long-termism and idealism in society, which cannot be found in short videos but only in books, reinforcing the necessity of humanities and social science reporting [2] - The book "The Nine Incense Sticks of Global History" by Yang Bin explores the interconnectedness of seemingly distant historical events and their impact on Chinese history, advocating for a global perspective in understanding Chinese culture [4][5] - "Life Like Morning Frost" by Ke Lan examines the intersection of literature and law in the context of "Dream of the Red Chamber," providing a new understanding of female characters through the lens of Qing Dynasty legal and social conditions [7][8] Group 3 - "The Violin Maker of Delft" by Ramón Andrés delves into the cultural, artistic, and scientific milieu of 17th-century Europe, using the life of a lesser-known artist to explore broader historical themes [10][11] - "The End of Fantasy: A Biography of Mu Dan" by Yi Bin presents the life and struggles of the poet Mu Dan, highlighting his contributions to modern Chinese poetry and translation [13][14] - "Source Code: Bill Gates' First Autobiography" reflects on Gates' early life and influences, emphasizing the importance of family and education in shaping his career [16][17] Group 4 - "Abao" tells the true story of a Miao woman who was trafficked and later wrote about her experiences to inspire her daughters, showcasing resilience and the power of storytelling [19][20] - "The Shadow of the Sun: A Journey into Africa" by Ryszard Kapuściński offers a unique perspective on African life and culture through the author's extensive travels and observations over 30 years [22][23][24] - "Finding the Right Words: A Story of Literature, Grief, and the Brain" explores the author's journey with her father's Alzheimer's disease, blending personal narrative with medical insights [30][31] Group 5 - "The Men Left Behind" by Richard V. Reeves discusses the challenges faced by men in modern society, including educational and occupational disparities, and suggests structural changes to address these issues [33][34]