Diary Of A Madman Analysis

As described in the writings of Lu Xun’s “Preface” and “Diary of a Madman”, Lu Xun emphasizes the detrimental effects that clamoring to cultural conditions has had on the Chinese people and the need for cultural reform that is present at the time. Based on the passages of “Diary of a Madman” by Lu Xun, it is apparent that the author uses metaphorical acts of cannibalistic activity committed by the people of China to critique/satire the destructive influence of traditional ideals and practices such as those emphasized by Confucianism and the negative effects it has on Chinese lives. He describes such age-old traditions as degrading in their tendencies to cause men to suppress or abuse others (notably women) in the name of piety and describes
the standard of living in China as “a place where for four thousand years [the people had] been eating human flesh” (A Madman’s Diary, p37). In his “Preface”, Lu Xun compares clinging to traditional practices in tumultuous times to living in “an iron house without windows, absolutely indestructible, with many people fast asleep inside who will soon die of suffocation” (Preface, p24). The significance of such a metaphor is to state that an adherence to age-old traditions slowly destroys a society and its people, which is notably occurring amongst Chinese populations who were using Confucianism as a stranglehold on ethical behavior in society at the time. The importance of Lu Xun’s writings is his emphasis on the need for change in ethical systems that dictate social relationships and behavior towards a new form that is less restrictive on the people of China.