All four of the novels were written in a style that is a mixture of vernacular and classical Chinese, with some that are more completely vernacular than the others. For instance, "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" is known for its mix of classical prose with folklore and popular narratives, while the "Dream of the Red Chamber" is known for the use of poetry within its mostly vernacular style. These four novels are thought to have popularized, and more importantly "legitimatized" the role of vernacular literature among the literary circles of China.