Lu Xun Books
Lu Xun (1881–1936), born Zhou Shuren in Shaoxing, Zhejiang, is regarded as the father of modern Chinese literature. His works, known for their sharp social criticism and psychological depth, include Call to Arms, Wandering, and Old Tales Retold.
Known for: A Madman's Diary, Blessing, Kong Yiji, Medicine, The True Story of Ah Q
Books by Lu Xun
A Madman's Diary
A Madman's Diary is a short story by Lu Xun, first published in 1918 in the magazine New Youth. It is widely regarded as the first modern Chinese story written in vernacular Chinese. Presented as the ...
Blessing
“Blessing” is a short story written by Lu Xun in 1924 and included in his collection “Wandering.” Set in rural China after the 1911 Revolution, it tells the tragic story of Xianglin’s Wife, whose suff...
Kong Yiji
Kong Yiji is a short story written by Lu Xun in the winter of 1918 and first published in April 1919 in the magazine New Youth. Later included in the collection Call to Arms, the story is set in the t...
Medicine
“Medicine” is a short story written by Lu Xun in 1919 and included in his collection “Call to Arms.” The story depicts a family’s desperate attempt to cure their son’s illness by buying a steamed bun ...
The True Story of Ah Q
The True Story of Ah Q is a novella by Lu Xun, first published between 1921 and 1922. It tells the tragicomic story of Ah Q, a peasant living during the late Qing dynasty, whose self-deceptive 'spirit...
Key Insights from Lu Xun
The Rise of the Jia Family
Using the Jia, Shi, Wang, and Xue families as the backdrop, I did not merely depict their grandeur but used their brilliance to conceal the seeds of decay. The Ning and Rong mansions appear prosperous, yet corruption had long since hollowed them out. Extravagance, vanity, greed, and ignorance—these ...
From A Madman's Diary
The Arrival of Jia Baoyu
Baoyu’s first appearance marks the awakening of the novel’s soul. The jade he was born with symbolizes his innate gift of feeling. His distance from worldly ambition and his closeness to women stem from his nature of pure emotion. Many mistake him for a rebellious idler, but in truth, he simply live...
From A Madman's Diary
The Prosperity of the Ning and Rong Houses
The story unfolds against the backdrop of four noble clans—the Jia, Shi, Wang, and Xue families. I did not write merely of their grandeur; the brilliance serves only to veil the seeds of collapse. Though the Ning and Rong mansions appear prosperous, corruption has already rooted deeply within. Extra...
From Blessing
The Emergence of Jia Baoyu
Baoyu’s first appearance marks the awakening of the novel’s soul. The magical jade that accompanies his birth symbolizes his innate affinity for feeling. His disregard for worldly duties and closeness to women stem from a genuine nature. Many see him as a rebellious libertine, yet he simply lives by...
From Blessing
The Rise of the Jia Family
Using the four noble houses—the Jia, the Shi, the Wang, and the Xue—as my canvas, I sought not to glorify their grandeur but to conceal within that brilliance the seeds of decay. The Ning and Rong branches of the Jia clan appear at the height of prosperity, yet corruption has already taken root. Ext...
From Kong Yiji
The Entrance of Jia Baoyu
Baoyu’s appearance marks the awakening of the novel’s soul. The piece of jade born with him symbolizes his innate attachment to feeling. His disregard for worldly affairs and affinity for women arise from a heart governed by compassion rather than convention. Many see him as a rebellious scion, but ...
From Kong Yiji
About Lu Xun
Lu Xun (1881–1936), born Zhou Shuren in Shaoxing, Zhejiang, is regarded as the father of modern Chinese literature. His works, known for their sharp social criticism and psychological depth, include Call to Arms, Wandering, and Old Tales Retold. Lu Xun’s influence on 20th-century Chinese thought and...
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Lu Xun (1881–1936), born Zhou Shuren in Shaoxing, Zhejiang, is regarded as the father of modern Chinese literature. His works, known for their sharp social criticism and psychological depth, include Call to Arms, Wandering, and Old Tales Retold. Lu Xun’s influence on 20th-century Chinese thought and...
Lu Xun (1881–1936), born Zhou Shuren in Shaoxing, Zhejiang, is regarded as the father of modern Chinese literature. His works, known for their sharp social criticism and psychological depth, include Call to Arms, Wandering, and Old Tales Retold. Lu Xun’s influence on 20th-century Chinese thought and literature remains profound.
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Lu Xun (1881–1936), born Zhou Shuren in Shaoxing, Zhejiang, is regarded as the father of modern Chinese literature. His works, known for their sharp social criticism and psychological depth, include Call to Arms, Wandering, and Old Tales Retold.
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