In my dream, I was at a book club with a girl, discussing an English novel written by a Chinese author. We were curious why a Chinese writer would choose to write in English.
The book club took place inside a European-style antique department store. After it ended, I wanted to catch a ride. Passing through a food court, I saw a blonde classmate who invited me for coffee and a chat. I thought, "Sure, it's nice to have company."
While waiting in line to pay, I also noticed several male classmates there. They seemed sharp and intelligent, possibly working as prosecutors during the day. In the dream, I was a charming woman, and one of them seemed interested in me, but I wasn't particularly interested.
Initially, I just wanted to buy a cup of coffee, but then decided to stay longer and added some peppermint cookies. Since I'm writing a novel about Holland, the blonde classmate mentioned that peppermint cookies in their culture actually carry a hint of disdain or mockery.
I asked her to explain, and it turns out peppermint cookies have a metaphorical meaning of "character assassination" or something similar. I didn't quite understand her explanation, so I changed the subject and asked her opinion on the English novel by the Chinese author.
The novel tells the story of a Chinese person in Europe, exploited through sweat and blood but eventually overcoming hardships. The life story of this Chinese writer is also quite legendary.
It seems the Chinese author grew up in a small village on the China-Russia border, working in the fields with his family, enduring difficult days. In winter, they even sat in the snow with several large white dogs.
As he grew older, the Chinese writer worked in a bar where everyone knew he was writing novels. However, luck wasn't on his side, and he didn't make much money.
When things were at his worst, one day at the bar, he encountered masked robbers. Perhaps out of fatigue or some other reason, he surprisingly said to the robber, "Go ahead, leave! I won't call the police or try to catch you."
The robber was probably startled and indeed left without causing any damage or breaking anything. He didn't steal any money and just left.
I think that must have been the writer's lowest point. He probably felt so unlucky that when he saw the robber about to rob, he may have felt some sympathy. So, he let the robber go, and the robber didn't go to jail.
One day at the bar, he met a wealthy girl. Hearing about his experience, she deliberately stimulated him, saying, "If you can make the story longer and turn it into a famous novel, I'll marry you." The crowd cheered, but later the Chinese writer really started to seriously develop his novel, making the plot more intriguing and engaging.
The Chinese writer knew his story needed someone to review and revise it. The wealthy girl introduced him to a professor. I remember he looked like a slightly overweight Western man who always wore a tall hat. He read the Chinese writer's novel and made adjustments and revisions.
Later, the Chinese writer became famous overnight, not only marrying the wealthy girl but also becoming a duke, invited to speak publicly at the European Parliament to explain the intentions and metaphors in his novel. After being ennobled, his status became increasingly prestigious, perhaps due to the recognition of their novel.
Actually, before becoming famous, the Chinese writer had a girlfriend and they went through hard times together. Later, because of meeting the wealthy girl, she said if his novel developed enough and became famous, she would marry the writer. So later the Chinese writer's attitude toward his girlfriend began to change and became very disdainful of her. Because he wanted to say that she would become his stumbling block, he would have to get rid of the poor woman to have a chance to crawl.
Later, for reasons unknown, the wealthy girl introduced the Chinese writer to another Chinese individual named Wang Yongchuan, who joined in writing the novel. Towards the end of the novel, some details involving sexual themes were added, and this part was emphasized by Wang Yongchuan.
In summary, the latter part of the novel was influenced by the duchess. Whenever she wanted to add certain elements, she would find assistants to help the Chinese writer incorporate them into the story. Therefore, the duchess played a significant role and had an impact on the novel.
While discussing these stories with the blonde classmate, she mentioned that the department store where we were having our snacks was actually one of the Chinese writer’s properties.
夢見我跟一個女生在一個讀書會，我們討論一部華人寫的英文小說，好奇為什麼華人作家會想寫英文小說。
讀書會是在一間歐式古色古香的百貨公司裡面進行。結束後，我想去搭車。經過美食廣場，看到一位金髮女同學，她邀我一起喝杯咖啡，小聊一下吧！我想說好吧，有個伴。
排隊結帳的時候，又看到幾位男同學在那裡。他們白天的工作好像是檢察官，看起來就是很犀利聰明的樣子。夢裡我是一位迷人的女性，其中有人好像對我有意思，但我反倒是意興闌珊。
本來我只是想買杯咖啡，後來想說待久一點好了，就多點了薄荷餅乾。因為我正在寫關於荷蘭的小說，這位金髮女同學跟我說，薄荷餅乾在他們的文化，其實是帶有一點鄙視或是羞辱他們的意思。
我請她解釋給我聽，好像是薄荷餅乾帶有「人設破壞翻車」的隱喻。其實我聽不太懂她解釋的理由，就改問她對這部華人所寫的英文小說的看法。
這小說敘述一位華人在歐洲被血汗壓榨，後來翻身的故事。而這位華人小說家的人生故事也有些傳奇。
好像這位華人作家，幼年在中俄邊界的小鄉村成長，跟著家人種田，日子很辛苦。冬天時還跟著幾隻白色大狗，臥坐在雪地裡。
長大後，華人作家在一家酒吧工作，那裡的人都知道他在寫小說。但機運不好，也沒賺什麼錢。
人在倒楣時，壞運總是接二連三的。作家有天在酒吧當班時，遇到蒙面歹徒打劫。不知道那天他是累了還是怎麼樣，他竟然跟那個搶匪說：「你走吧！你趕快走！我沒有要報警，也沒有要抓你。」
搶匪大概也嚇了一跳，真的就走了，也沒有破壞或是砸碎東西。沒有搶到錢就離開了。
我覺得那個時候應該是作家最低潮的時候。他覺得他怎麼那麼衰，所以大概看到那個搶匪要搶劫的時候，可能覺得有點同病相憐吧！所以就放他一馬，他就不會去坐牢。
有天在酒吧裡，遇到一位有錢的千金。聽到他的遭遇，故意刺激他說：「如果你可以把故事變長，變成知名小說，我就嫁給你。」現場大家起哄，但後來華人作家真的開始認真地把他小說的故事，做更多的強勢發展，小說情節也變得愈來愈有趣動人。
華人作家知道他的故事內容，需要有人幫他看過，並做修正。有錢千金就幫他介紹了一位教授。我記得他看起來是西方有點微胖的男士，總是戴著一頂高帽子。他就閱讀這華人作家的小說內容，並作修正調整。
後來這華人作家果然一舉成名，不但娶了這千金小姐，後來變成公爵，被邀請到歐洲議會去做公開演講，由他本人親自闡述這小說內容的用意跟隱喻。他被封爵以後，地位就越來越崇高，可能也跟他的小說被認同有關。
其實這華人作家在成名之前，是有一名女朋友，跟著他一起過苦日子。後來因為他遇到這位有錢千金，竟然說如果他的小說發展夠長且成名的話，就會嫁給他。所以後來這華人作家對他女友的態度開始轉變，變得很嫌棄她。因為想說她會成為他的絆腳石，他必須要擺脫掉這窮女人，才有機會去攀上那個富家千金。
後來不知為何，富家千金幫華人作家找了另一位華人，叫做王永川，就是一起寫小說。小說後面加了一些描述性愛情慾的細節，這部份就是由王永川加強著墨。
總之，這部小說後期受到這女公爵的影響。當她覺得要加入什麼元素的時候，她就會幫華人作家找一些助手，把這些元素加到這小說裡面。所以在這部小說中，女公爵其實也有她的角色與影響力。
當金髮女同學和我討論這些故事的時候，她說我們現在吃點心的百貨公司，就是這華人作家的產業之一。
你所描述的夢充滿了象徵意義和主題，反映了個人、文化和可能的創造性元素的融合。這是一個解釋：
1. 讀書會和中英小說討論
夢境始於關於一位中國作家用英語寫作的討論，象徵著文化之間的橋樑，或者也許是你自己在不同文化背景下對身份、創造力或表達的探索。對中國作家為什麼要用英語寫作的好奇心，可能反映出你自己關於適應或駕馭不同文化環境或表達媒介的問題。
2.歐式古董百貨
讀書會設在一家歐洲風格的古董百貨商店，暗示著這是一個充滿歷史、傳統，和可能舊世界價值觀的地方。這可能代表你對西方文化的看法，或對新舊、熟悉和外國文化融合的迷戀。
3. 與同學的相遇
遇到金髮碧眼的同學和看起來很聰明的男同學，可能代表了你社交圈或職業生活的不同面向。被視為檢察官的男同學，可能表明你認為周圍的某些人具有評判性或批評性，有時甚至是你自己。事實上，你在夢中是一位迷人的女人，這可能象徵著你自己尋求以某種方式，被欽佩或理解的一部分。
4.咖啡和薄荷餅乾
購買咖啡和薄荷餅乾的行為，以及金髮同學對其文化意義的解釋，顯示了對文化細微差別，或日常行為中隱藏意義的更深層次的好奇心。帶有蔑視或嘲笑含義的薄荷餅乾，可能反映出對文化誤解，或社交互動中隱藏層的恐懼或意識。
5. 中國作家的故事
關於這位中國作家的奮鬥、他與強盜的遭遇，以及在遇到富有的女繼承人後的最終成功的敘述，可能象徵著你自己的創作旅程或願望。作者最初的艱辛和強盜的同情，可能代表你自己的挑戰，以及困難時期有時會出現的意想不到的善良或幸運。
作家在遇到富有的女繼承人後生活的轉變，可能象徵著靈感的力量、外部的支持，也可能象徵著財富和地位對創作成功的影響。女繼承人對作家的挑戰，可能代表你生活中的一種驅動力，也許是證明自己的壓力或渴望。
6. 公爵夫人和王永川的角色
公爵夫人參與小說的發展，以及王永川添加的性主題，暗示了外部力量對你的創作或生活的影響。公爵夫人的角色可能象徵著社會期望，而王的貢獻，可能代表你正在探索的創造力或生活的更原始或本能的方面。
7. 百貨公司的所有權
得知百貨公司歸中國作家所有，這意味著一個完整的循環，創造性的個體獲得了對傳統和文化機構的控制。這可能反映了你自己對某個領域或環境的控制、成功或影響力的渴望，而這些領域或環境曾經看似遙遠或遙不可及。
整體解讀
這個夢想似乎是一個關於身分、創造力、文化互動和個人成長的複雜敘事。它反映了從奮鬥和默默無聞到成功和認可的旅程，一路上充滿了各種影響和挑戰。這個夢可能會促使你考慮生活、文化和人際關係的不同方面，如何影響你的創意工作和個人身份，以及你如何在這些影響之間進行導航，以創造出有意義和成功的東西。
1. A Serendipitous Reunion
As you and the blonde classmate finish discussing the Chinese writer's story, you suddenly notice a familiar figure approaching—a person from your past who played a significant role in your life but with whom you'd lost contact. The person turns out to be the original girlfriend of the Chinese writer, who had been forgotten in the narrative. She shares with you her own untold version of the story, revealing how she found success and happiness after leaving the writer. The dream ends with a sense of closure, as you realize that success and recognition can take many forms, and that true fulfillment comes from forging your own path.
2. A Journey to the Past
As you’re discussing the Chinese writer’s success, the antique department store begins to transform around you. The walls fade into mist, and you find yourself transported to the small village on the China-Russia border where the writer grew up. You see him as a child, struggling with the harsh winter, accompanied by his loyal white dogs. You watch as he slowly grows up, witnessing his journey firsthand. The dream ends as you see the young writer sitting under a tree, penning his first story, and you feel a deep connection to his struggles and determination, understanding that success is often born from the harshest of circumstances.
3. The Writer’s Regret
After hearing about the Chinese writer’s rise to fame and his marriage to the wealthy heiress, you suddenly feel a shift in the atmosphere. The department store grows dim, and you find yourself alone in a small, dimly lit study. The Chinese writer is there, now much older, sitting at a desk surrounded by his published works. He looks tired and regretful, and he begins to tell you that despite his success, he never found true happiness. He confesses that abandoning his first love and compromising his creative integrity for fame left him empty. The dream ends with the writer handing you an unfinished manuscript, urging you not to make the same mistakes he did, and you wake up with a sense of clarity about your own priorities.
4. A Surprising Twist
As you and the blonde classmate discuss the novel, she suddenly reveals that she is actually the daughter of the Chinese writer and the wealthy heiress. She explains that the story you’ve been discussing is not just fiction but is based on her parents’ real lives. She tells you that after their marriage, her father continued to write, but his stories grew darker and more complex, reflecting his internal struggles. The dream ends with the blonde classmate inviting you to read a secret manuscript written by her father, which contains the true, untold story of his life and legacy. As you agree, you feel a mixture of excitement and trepidation, knowing that the truth may change everything you thought you knew.
5. An Unexpected Opportunity
As you wrap up the discussion with the blonde classmate, a mysterious figure approaches your table. He introduces himself as an editor from a renowned publishing house and mentions that he overheard your conversation. Impressed by your insights, he offers you a contract to write a book analyzing the works of the Chinese writer, blending his life story with your interpretations. The dream ends with you eagerly accepting the offer, feeling a surge of excitement as you realize that your own journey as a writer is just beginning, with new opportunities and adventures on the horizon.
Each of these endings adds a different layer of meaning to the dream, whether it's a sense of closure, a connection to the past, a cautionary tale, a surprising revelation, or a new beginning.
The dream you described is rich with symbolism and themes, reflecting a blend of personal, cultural, and possibly creative elements. Here’s an interpretation:
1. Book Club and Discussion of a Chinese-English Novel
The dream starts with a discussion about a Chinese author writing in English, symbolizing a bridge between cultures or perhaps your own exploration of identity, creativity, or expression in different cultural contexts. The curiosity about why a Chinese author would write in English could reflect your own questions about adapting to or navigating different cultural environments or mediums of expression.
2. European-style Antique Department Store
The setting of the book club in a European-style antique department store suggests a place of history, tradition, and possibly old-world values. This could represent your perception of Western culture or a fascination with the blend of old and new, familiar and foreign.
3. Encounters with Classmates
Meeting the blonde classmate and the male classmates, who seem sharp and intelligent, might represent different aspects of your social circle or professional life. The male classmates being perceived as prosecutors might indicate that you see some people around you as judgmental or critical, perhaps even yourself at times. The fact that you are a charming woman in the dream could symbolize a part of yourself that seeks to be admired or understood in a certain way.
4. Coffee and Peppermint Cookies
The act of buying coffee and peppermint cookies, and the blonde classmate’s explanation about their cultural meaning, suggests a deeper curiosity about cultural nuances or hidden meanings in everyday actions. The peppermint cookies carrying a connotation of disdain or mockery could reflect a fear or awareness of cultural misunderstandings or the hidden layers in social interactions.
5. The Chinese Writer’s Story
The narrative about the Chinese writer’s struggles, his encounter with a robber, and eventual success after meeting the wealthy heiress could symbolize your own creative journey or aspirations. The writer’s initial hardships and the robber’s sympathy could represent your own challenges and the unexpected kindness or luck that sometimes appears in difficult times.
The transformation of the writer’s life after meeting the wealthy heiress might symbolize the power of inspiration, external support, or perhaps the influence of wealth and status on creative success. The heiress’s challenge to the writer could represent a driving force in your life—perhaps the pressure or desire to prove oneself.
6. The Role of the Duchess and Wang Yongchuan
The involvement of the duchess in the novel’s development, and the addition of sexual themes by Wang Yongchuan, suggests the influence of external forces on your creative work or life. The duchess’s role might symbolize societal expectations, while Wang’s contributions could represent a more primal or instinctual aspect of creativity or life that you are exploring.
7. Ownership of the Department Store
Learning that the department store is owned by the Chinese writer indicates a full circle, where the creative individual gains control over an institution of tradition and culture. This might reflect your own aspirations for control, success, or influence in a field or environment that once seemed distant or unattainable.
Overall Interpretation
This dream appears to be a complex narrative about identity, creativity, cultural interaction, and personal growth. It reflects a journey from struggle and obscurity to success and recognition, with various influences and challenges along the way. The dream might be urging you to consider how different aspects of your life, culture, and relationships influence your creative work and personal identity, and how you navigate between these influences to create something meaningful and successful.