Raise the Red Lantern

Main Plot

"Raise the Red Lantern," directed by Yimou Zhang, is a compelling drama set in 1920s China. The story revolves around Songlian, a young university student who, after her father's death, is forced by her stepmother to marry a wealthy and much older man as his fourth wife. Upon entering her new home, a sprawling and secluded estate, Songlian finds herself in a complex web of internal politics among the wives. Each wife competes for her husband's favor, as it brings privileges and the symbolic honor of having red lanterns lit outside her quarters. The film delves into the intricacies of the relationships within the household, exploring themes of power, tradition, and the status of women in feudal society. As Songlian navigates this competitive atmosphere, she discovers the manipulative and treacherous nature of her new family. The story builds to reveal the oppressive realities of the household, leading to intense psychological and emotional consequences for all involved. "Raise the Red Lantern" is a visually striking and emotionally powerful examination of personal and social dynamics within a rigidly structured society.

Characters

• Gong Li plays Songlian, a university student who becomes the fourth wife of a wealthy lord, navigating complex relationships and power dynamics within his household.
• Jingwu Ma plays the Housekeeper in the film, overseeing the household's operations and subtly manipulating conflicts among the master's wives.
• Saifei He plays Meishan, the third wife of a wealthy man, who struggles with rivalry and oppression in a complex household hierarchy.

Ending Explained

At the conclusion of Zhang Yimou's film "Raise the Red Lantern," the story reaches a tragic and intense climax. The film centers around Songlian, a young university student who becomes the fourth wife of a wealthy lord. Throughout the film, the competition among the wives for the master's favor, symbolized by the lighting of red lanterns at the favored wife's quarters, creates tension and rivalry. In the ending, Songlian's mental state deteriorates after the discovery of her involvement in a scandalous affair with a servant, leading to the servant's execution. The master, feeling betrayed and dishonored, ceases to visit her quarters, effectively isolating her. The psychological toll and the oppressive atmosphere of the household lead Songlian into madness. The film concludes with the introduction of a new, young concubine, signifying the cycle's continuation. Songlian, now lost to insanity, wanders aimlessly around the estate. The final scenes underscore the bleak and oppressive nature of the household, highlighting the consequences of the rigid, patriarchal structures on the women trapped within them. The ending serves as a poignant commentary on the loss of identity and autonomy faced by the women, overshadowed by the looming, unchanging traditions.