A Comparative Study of the Clan Relationship and Clan Governance System in the Chinese and Western Aristocratic Families—Take A Dream of Red Mansions and The Age of Innocence as Examples

A Dream of Red Mansions, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature, and The Age of Innocence by American author Edith Wharton both depict the love stories of three noble youths in feudal aristocratic families against the backdrop of significant social changes. This paper seeks to compare the clan relationships and governance systems portrayed in both works, highlighting the similarities and differences between Chinese and Western aristocratic families. By doing so, this study aims to contribute to the broader field of cultural comparison between Chinese and American literature.