A Madmans Diary - 1217 Words

Introduction A Madman’s Diary is China s first modern short story. The author Lu Xun has been well respected and regarded as one of the most well-known political figures in China (Goldman 446-461). Lu Xun has been praised as the warrior against traditional culture and feudal system. Unique narrative structure A Madman’s Diary is very special in its narrative structure. Its setup is very different from the traditional narration in that it avoids the use of classical Chinese. Furthermore, the I narration is used in the story which makes it very effective to involve the readers in the scenes of the story. Lu Xun did not only open a new chapter in modern Chinese literature but also created a new style of narration. Lu†¦show more content†¦There are several symbolic narrations in the story. The symbolism of the story is allegorical (Hanan 68). In the preface, Lu Xun uses an ironic technique by narrated in classical Chinese in order to show a false and polite world made by cannibalistic feudal society. In the eyes of Lu Xun, the madman is the hero who plays a better role in the society because only the madman knows the truth and can rise in rebellion. The madman who is an innovative and reformed thought representative is a symbol of oppressive man-eati ng nature of the feudal system. Even though he tries his best to rise in rebellion, he fails every time. He is trapped in his own mind and can t help considering that he s in the danger of being eaten. The madman could not understand the conspiracy of eating him, so he was suspicious of everyone. When the madman recovers, he is not the hero anymore; also he joins others to be one of man-eaters. Here, Lu Xun s message is clear: The oppressed masses are eaters or the accomplices (Sun L. 464). Only the madman could find the truth of the eaters. However, other people including both the empowered and the oppressed fail to see the oppressive man-eating nature of the feudal system. In addition, the story implies that the society is ruled by the feudal system, and people of all the classes have to abide by the same feudal rules. Also, the story helps usShow MoreRelatedChinese Family Institution And Traditional Rule Feudal Ethical Are Original Source Of Destroying Chinese Individual Though t932 Words   |  4 Pages The second important characteristic that Lu Xun wants to transfer through â€Å"A Madman’s Diary† is that Chinese family institution and traditional rule feudal ethical are original source of destroying Chinese individual thought. In the eighth diary, it describes a conversation with madman and twenty years’ man, â€Å"I asked him: ‘Is it right to eat human beings?’ He replied: ‘when there is no famine how can one eat human beings?’ I realized once, he was one of them; but still I summoned up courage to repeatRead MoreLu Xun2285 Words   |  10 PagesLu Xun’s short story â€Å"Diary of a Madman† marks the birth of modernism in Chinese literature and is the earliest literature works written in modern vernacular Chinese during the May Fourth period. Modeled after Nikolay Gogol’s story with similar title, the story condemns the old traditional Confucian values that have long persisted in t he Chinese society; portrayed by the madman in the story that sees it as a ‘man-eating’ society. Lu Xun despises the idea of a society who adheres to the traditionRead MoreChina s Nationalism And Isolation From Western Society2751 Words   |  12 Pagesrealism with the â€Å"iron house metaphor in his short stories and in â€Å"A Madman’s Diary†, remain a collective consciousness urging for change. Lu Xun, a revolutionary Chinese author, rebelled by calling on the common people and intellectuals to break out of the stagnant, traditional society they have been living in. By exploring Lu Xun’s use of literary realism in the â€Å"iron house† metaphor and his short story, â€Å"A Madman’s Diary†, his desire for a collective consciousness to make an active change becomesRead MoreA Madman And New Year s Sacrifice1510 Words   |  7 PagesZedong to be ‘commander of China’s cultural revolution’ with reference to Lu Xun’s sophisticated and innovative stories illustrating the social unjust and inequality amongst the Chinese people. Thus, Lu Xun’s literature ranging from his short stories ‘Diary of A Madman’ and ‘New Year’s Sacrifice’ were seen as stepping-stones that empowered confidence amongst the Chinese people to convey their utmost intimate thoughts transforming a restless and backward traditional China into a expanding society that