Hesitation (Illustrated Edition)

Author: Lu Xun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: Fanghuang (Tumult) starts from Zhufu and ends with Lianyi, collecting 11 short stories from 1924 to 1925. At that time, internal divisions occurred within New Youth, with many comrades betraying their cause midway. Lu Xun's situation was described as "one soldier left among the four corners of the world, carrying a weapon and wandering alone." He himself admitted that the stories in Fanghuang "were slightly better in technique than before and seemed less constrained in thought, but the fighting spirit had cooled considerably." Yet, he sincerely observed "life," discarding the "deception" and "trickery" found in traditional literature and boldly portrayed the decline of the upper class and the misfortunes of the lower class. He particularly keenly perceived the new historical tragedy of the communication gap between cultural enlighteners and the public, as well as the personal sorrow of some participants in the New Culture Movement who failed to break free from the historical trap. His works are indeed a mirror reflecting Chinese society from the Xinhai Revolution to the Second Civil War period, and an exemplary work of modern literature. Some have remarked that without reading "Lu Xun," one cannot truly be said to have read Chinese literature; without understanding Lu Xun, one cannot understand Chinese culture, nor can one understand the emergence, development, achievements, and value of modern Chinese literature. Before Lu Xun, there were no truly works in Chinese fiction history that genuinely portrayed the image of peasants. Lu Xun's true feelings were always invested in the peasants, but he placed greater emphasis on uncovering the spiritual disabilities of peasants in old China and the servility in the national character. This is also deeply reflected in Fanghuang. Fanghuang is a collection of Lu Xun's short stories, including eleven works written between 1924 and 1925, such as Zhufu, At the Tavern, The Happy Family, Old Master Gao, Brothers, and Wounding Love. The works pioneered the characteristics of modernization in fiction with their "deep expression" and "special format." Lu Xun's great personality, profound thoughts, strong indignation, lofty sentiments, and exquisite artistry are all condensed within them.