Jen's question

[Jen]

Why is this volume called the Warning Voice? What are some specific examples of events that serve as a warning to the family or to us as readers that fortunes may be changing?

[John]

Trying to recall back,
- financial difficulties
- gambling and sexual improprieties at the other house
- rumors in the streets of improprieties at this house - I think this was the volume where the accusatory posters were put up on the outside walls.

[Diane]

I think that many of the foreshadowing events are subtle, but the reader can readily see the bigger problems surfacing in terms of money and changes in family relationships and dynamics.

[Pip]

First of all the financial problems, which led to corruption such as Faithful being asked to steal some of Grandma Jia's artifacts to pawn so that the house can keep up appearances. The increasing slackness in the security of the compound which led to fear and suspicion and finally the finding of the piece of lewd embroidery seems to have been a symbol of licentiousness (or more than the usual number of chamber wives and concubines).