Chapter 40

In this chapter, Baoyu, the Dowager and all the women of the gynaeceum accompany Granny Liu through the Daguanyuan. During the visit and the dinner after, the company often make fun of Granny Liu. The chapter ends when they all hear a sound from outside.

Trivia
There is an expression commonly known to modern Chinese people, relating to Granny Liu in this chapter. The expression is "Granny Liu visits the Grand View Gardens" (Simplified characters: 刘姥姥进大观园; Traditional characters: 劉姥姥進大觀園; Pinyin: Liú lǎo lao jìn dà guān yuán). It refers to a part of the novel where Granny Liu visits the noble family who host her, but also mock her openly for her simplicity. (Granny Liu is, however, unaware that the family is mocking her, and feels grateful for their generosity.) The expression is used in modern Chinese to describe someone, usually a simple unsophisticated person, who is overwhelmed by new experiences and luxurious surroundings.