袭人的城府
《蒋勋说红楼梦》（172）
一、宝玉在他青少年时期是反叛以他父亲为代表的官场和知识分子的，为了对抗这一切，结果就跑到另外一个世界里去了，那个世界是戏子的世界、玩世不恭的世界。
1. In his youth, Baoyu rebelled against the officialdom and intellectual circles represented by his father. To resist all this, he escaped into another world—the world of actors and a cynical attitude toward life.
二、袭人身上丝毫没有狐狸精的成分，没有肉体欲望。所以我觉得这里有很微妙的“母亲心理学”，王夫人一直在注意宝玉身边的这些丫头到底在搞什么。
2. There is no trace of a seductress in Xiren, no physical desire. So I think there is a subtle "maternal psychology" at play here; Lady Wang has always been watching what these maids around Baoyu are up to.
三、袭人比较像宝钗，处理事情比较理性；晴雯的个性就比较像黛玉，情感很直接，最后都是悲剧收场。
3. Xiren is more like Baochai, handling matters rationally; Qingwen's personality is more like Daiyu's—very direct with emotions. Both ultimately meet tragic ends.
四、我们知道晴雯从头到尾跟宝玉干干净净，真正和宝玉上床的是袭人，而曹雪芹就是让你看到一清如水的晴雯含冤而死，而真正有问题的袭人却讲话一派大方，深得王夫人的信任。
4. We know Qingwen remained pure with Baoyu from beginning to end, while it was Xiren who truly shared intimacy with him. Cao Xueqin makes you witness Qingwen—pure as clear water—die unjustly, while Xiren, who actually has issues, speaks with such propriety and gains Lady Wang's deep trust.
五、袭人真是个周到的丫头，她真的已经准备照顾宝玉一辈子了，觉得一定得把宝玉当下的品行和未来声名处理好，所以她肯定得到了王夫人的最大欢心。
5. Xiren is truly a considerate maid. She is genuinely prepared to care for Baoyu her entire life, believing she must manage his current conduct and future reputation properly. Thus, she has undoubtedly won Lady Wang's highest favor.
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