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200多年来，《红楼梦》所留下的种种疑团一直是红学专家、学者、读者不断钻研的课题。有人甚至将红学界长期争论不休的疑问分门别类，汇编出版成书。在此列举数道“谜”题，意者可自行推敲。
For over two centuries, “Dream of the Red Chamber” has remained shrouded in mystery, with countless questions surrounding the novel continuing to captivate scholars and readers. Some enthusiasts have even compiled collections of these enduring enigmas into entire books. Here, we highlight a selection of intriguing puzzles for readers to ponder.
《红楼梦》为何有那么多书名？
Why does “Dream of the Red Chamber” have so many titles?
书中于开卷第一回写到：“从此空空道人因空见色，由色生情，传情入色，自色悟空，遂易名情僧，改《石头记》为《情僧录》。至吴玉峰题曰《红楼梦》。东鲁孔梅溪则题曰《风月宝鉴》，后因曹雪芹于悼红轩中披阅十载，增删五次，纂成目录，分成章回，则题曰《金陵十二钗》。”同一段落中接连提及了5个书名，这些书名有何关联？另，曹雪芹所提为《金陵十二钗》，为何最后盛行于后世的，却是身份不明的吴玉峰所题的《红楼梦》？
In the opening chapter of the novel, no fewer than 5 different titles appear. How are these titles connected? And why did “Dream of the Red Chamber”, attributed to the otherwise obscure Wu Yufeng, ultimately become the one most widely recognised, rather than Cao Xueqin’s own preferred title, “The Twelve Beauties of Jinling”?
中华书局出版的列宁格勒藏钞本《石头记》。The manuscript of “The Story of the Stone” (Leningrad Copy) published by Zhonghua Book Company. 资料·图片
曹雪芹有没有完成《红楼梦》？
Did Cao Xueqin complete “Dream of the Red Chamber”?
《红楼梦》真正出自曹雪芹之手的只有前80回，后40回是后人续写，意即它是一本未完残缺的小说。究竟曹雪芹有没有写完《红楼梦》？是写完在传阅时因某些原因遗失了后面数十回，还是根本就没写完呢？不少人认为曹雪芹晚年生活贫困交加，《红楼梦》未写完即逝；也有人根据脂砚斋批注中对80回后很多情节的透露，认为曹雪芹完成了《红楼梦》。
Of the novel’s 120 chapters, only the first 80 are reliably attributed to Cao Xueqin. The remaining 40 were added by later hands, leaving open the question of whether Cao ever finished his masterpiece. Some believe that Cao, beset by poverty in his later years, died before completing the novel. Others, however, point to hints in the Zhiyanzhai’s commentaries, which reveal plot details beyond the 80th chapter, suggesting that Cao may indeed have completed the work, though the final portions were lost during circulation.
南京曹雪芹纪念馆的曹雪芹像。The statue of Cao Xueqin located at Nanajing Cao Xueqin Memorial Hall. 白色瑰宝 摄
《红楼梦》后40回的作者是谁？
Who wrote the final 40 chapters?
最为流行的说法是：后40回是由高鹗增补的。一些人认为高鹗所写结局并非《红楼梦》本来面目，也有人认为曹雪芹实际上已写完120回，后40回未经最终定稿便去世，高鹗只不过作了简单整理。另外，也有人相信高鹗与程伟元为后40回的整理者，其真实作者已不可考。
The prevailing view holds that the final 40 chapters were appended by Gao E. However, opinions differ as to whether Gao’s ending reflects Cao Xueqin’s original vision. Some argue that Cao had finished writing all 120 chapters, but passed away before finalising the manuscript, leaving Gao E to perform only a modest editorial role. Others propose that both Gao E and Cheng Weiyuan served merely as compilers, with the true author of the last 40 chapters remaining a mystery.
后期出版的《红楼梦》均列高鹗与程伟元为整理者。In later published editions of “Dream of the Red Chamber”, Gao E and Cheng Weiyuan are credited as the compilers.资料图片
脂砚斋到底是谁？
Who was Zhiyanzhai?
在《红楼梦》中，有很多眉批、夹批、回前回后批，这些批语的批者署名多为脂砚斋等。对于脂砚斋是谁，红学家各持己见：有人认为是曹雪芹之叔父曹顤，有人认为是曹雪芹的堂兄弟，有人认为是曹雪芹本人，有人认为是曹雪芹的好友敦诚和敦敏，还有人说是曹雪芹的续妻。
Numerous marginal notes and preface and postscript commentaries in “Dream of the Red Chamber” bear the signature of Zhiyanzhai, an enigmatic figure whose identity has long puzzled Redology scholars. Some speculate that he was Cao Xueqin’s uncle, Cao Yao; others suggest he may have been a cousin, a close friend such as Dun Cheng or Dun Min, or even Cao Xueqin himself. Still others believe Zhiyanzhai could have been Cao’s second wife.
脂砚斋的批注。Commentaries from Zhiyanzhai. Wikimedia CC图
林黛玉是怎么死的？
How did Lin Daiyu die?
关于林黛玉之死，脂砚斋批语透露是“泪尽夭亡”，意指林黛玉为绛珠仙子，转世目的就是为了还神瑛侍者露水之恩，眼泪哭干缘份自然也就尽了。然而也有人从林黛玉判词中的“玉带林中挂”，认为她是自缢身亡。而她与史湘云在中秋节的联句“冷月葬花魂”，则让一些人认为她乃投湖自尽。
According to the Zhiyanzhai commentaries, Lin Daiyu’s death is a poetic fulfilment of her celestial identity as the reincarnated Crimson Pearl Flower, sent to the mortal world to repay the kindness by shedding tears. However, interpretations of her fate vary. Some point to her prophecy poem, believing this implies she hanged herself. Others cite the poetic couplet she composed with Shi Xiangyun during the Mid-Autumn Festival as evidence that she drowned herself in a lake.
费丹旭十二金钗图册之黛玉葬花。Lin Daiyu Burying the Fallen Flowers, from Fei Danxu’s Album of the Twelve Beauties of Jinling. Wikimedia CC图
贾宝玉最终命运是什么？
What was Jia Baoyu’s final fate?
在高鹗续书的版本中，贾宝玉最终出家当了和尚，但有人认为与曹雪芹所写结局有出入。坊间流传的版本众多，有宝玉翻然悔悟重新做人、贾宝玉最终潦倒而死、宝玉寒窗苦读金榜题名、宝玉路遇高人随行而去等。
In Gao E’s continuation, Jia Baoyu eventually renounces worldly life to become a monk. Yet many believe this ending diverges from Cao Xueqin’s original intent. Alternative folk interpretations abound: in some, Baoyu repents and reforms; in others, he dies destitute; in yet others, he attains scholarly success after arduous study, or encounters a wise sage and departs on a spiritual journey.
西厢共读，1987年版《红楼梦》电视连续剧剧照。Reading the “Romance of the Western Chamber”, still from the 1987 television adaptation of “Dream of the Red Chamber”. 资料图片
秦可卿的真实身份是什么？
Who was Qin Keqing, truly?
书中写秦可卿是秦业从养生堂抱出来领养的一个“没有出处”的婴儿；但她能够嫁入贾府，死时又享受高规格待遇，均表示了她身份的不一般，有人因而猜测她的真实身份是废太子之女（公主）。
In the novel, Qin Keqing is described as an orphan of unknown origin, adopted by Qin Ye from a welfare home. Despite her obscure background, she married into the prestigious Jia family and was accorded extraordinary honours upon her death. This has led some to speculate that she may have been the daughter of a deposed crown prince—a secret royal heir raised in concealment.
费丹旭十二金钗图册之秦可卿太虚幻境。Qin Keqing in the Land of Illusion, from Fei Danxu’s Album of the Twelve Beauties of Jinling. Wikimedia CC图
妙玉的真实身份是什么？
What was Miaoyu’s true identity?
书中指妙玉家道中落，“衣食起居不宜回乡”“不合时宜，权势不容”，最终静居于大观园。从她在笼翠庵所使用的茶具，可知其身份十分尊贵，不在天下望族贾府之下。
Miaoyu was depicted as a young woman from a fallen aristocratic family who, because of straitened circumstances and political misfortune, was sent to live in seclusion at Longcui Nunnery within the Grand View Garden. Clues to her noble origins are scattered throughout the text, not least her use of exquisitely rare tea utensils, suggesting her family’s status was once on par with—or perhaps even above—that of the Jia clan.
费丹旭十二金钗图册之妙玉品茶。Miaoyu Tasting Tea, from Fei Danxu’s Album of the Twelve Beauties of Jinling. Wikimedia CC图
