Comic: Men, Women, Love, and Sex in Lu Xun's Works

Author: Yang Zhenwei
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-09-01
Features: A Platonic theory of falling in love, I can see and speak, but cannot act. Monks have no wives, where do little Bodhisattvas come from? Food and drink are not sins, nor are they impure; sexual intercourse is also not a sin, nor is it impure. Ten years of hardship together, sharing the bitter and the sweet, it is also a pity; let me borrow painting to soothe my weary eyes, the sweetness and bitterness are known only to the two hearts. The topics of men, women, love, and sex are of concern to almost everyone. The main reason I chose this topic is that I wanted to know what others said about men and women, about sex and love, and what the great figures said. Mr. Lu Xun's views once gave me great inspiration. So, I reread Mr. Lu Xun's complete works again. The essay in the volume of the complete works is "My View on Chastity," followed by "How We Should Be Parents Now." Regarding women, Mr. Lu Xun did not sympathize with them but protected, encouraged, and spoke out for their interests. As for "love" and "sex," Mr. Lu Xun was even more blunt. He said, "Platonic love theory, I can see and speak, but cannot act." In a word, that is clear enough. I read Lu Xun to clarify the perspectives on the issue, and I draw Lu Xun because I like it. After reading his articles, I felt that Lu Xun's very existence is a kind of beauty, a kind of art. I know that my paintings cannot fully portray a complete Lu Xun, and I don’t want to do that either. I just use these cartoons to express my understanding and appreciation of Lu Xun, even if this understanding is superficial. Lu Xun’s depth and my superficiality are combined in this collection in this way. Whether it is an insult to Lu Xun, I don’t know, but for me, it might be a blessing. To put it bluntly, I want to borrow Lu Xun’s shine. If Lu Xun were to know in the afterlife, as long as he didn’t curse me, I would be satisfied.