Flog Post: The Only Light in front of all Torches

Lu Xun was one of the greatest writers and thinkers in China, even in the world. The great leader, Mao Zedong once considered Lu Xun’s direction as “the direction of the new culture in China”.

Though born in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province (which Lu Xun named as “S city”in his articles) in the late Qing Dynasty, Lu Xun wasn’t influenced much by the traditional rules and etiquette. He had a passion for western science and literature. Once when he was reading books, he felt cold, but there were no thick clothes. So he bought some red peppers to eat and made him feel warm.

At that time, his interest for western knowledge was unusual and odd, and classical Chinese was the main language. But Lu Xun took an active part in the Chinese Cultural Renaissance (新文化运动) and wrote the first novel in vernacular (白话文), Lunatic’s diary (《狂人日记》) . From then on, he began to use the pen name Lu Xun and started his revolution career to liberate people’s minds. He created lots of vivid characters, such as Kong Yiji, Run Tu, Ah Q and so on. They are made to ironize the old feudal ethics.

Not only was Lu Xun famous for his irony, but also he wrote articles to encourage the youth to embrace the advanced knowledge. When he talked about which kind of books the youth should read, he required the youth to read more foreign books, because those books could help the youth to think more about the reality. He also supported the youth’s movements that were against the wrong decisions made by the government, such as the May Fourth Movement. After the March Eighteenth Massacre (三·一八惨案), he wrote a lot of articles to mourn the students who had died in this massacre and fought against the Duan Government. Most of the youth respected Lu Xun, and many of them loved to read his articles.

“May all Chinese youth get rid of the cold air, and just go up… After that, if there is no torch, I am the only light.” Lu Xun wrote in the Random Thoughts (随感录). Indeed, he was the light in “the room without any windows”. He led the youth to a right way. He is the only light in front of all torches. 

                                                                   by GOSEK1