Reflection of Cannibalistic Societies through Diary of a Madman And the Correlation to Today's Society

The meager image depicted by Lu Xun's 'Diary of a Madman' projects an illustration of society that stresses submission to authority, and the ultimate compliance to tradition. Lu Xun battles the idea that society is constantly being manipulated and controlled by the masses of people who know no better than to follow tradition. His story 'Diary of a Madman' gives the representation of a culture that has not only failed, but failed by the cannibalistic nature of humans corrupting them-selves over and over again therefore feeding upon themselves. The analysis of 'Diary of a Madman' gives way to a new interpretation of societies of the past, present, and future. Following the idea that history tends to repeat itself, I have paralleled the idea that society as a whole can be seen as cannibalistic not only in the reference by Lu Xun, but also in the current society we live in today. Only through willingness to change can societies transform their behaviors and actions giving way to improvement.

To gain insight into the cannibalistic representation of society, the writing style of Lu Xun must first be addressed. The preface of ?Diary of a Madman? is written in classical Chinese language, where Lu Xun uses an ironic technique to suggest a false, polite world made exclusively by social appearance. This traditional approach to literature shows the conventional method that is followed by those who act upon the ways of the past and the culturally accepted methods of the masses. As the story unfolds the story leaves the classical Chinese language and moves to the informal language that is known by the common societies. Lu Xun also incorporates the diarist and main character of the story, and uses him as a reflection of the curre...

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...s,? we can still do our best to improve. And we can start today!? (p. 1927). The story ?Diary of a Madman? produces hope of a future existing that rejects oppressive traditionalism, and the liberation of the individual and asks society to recognize the problem and help save society by, ?saving the children? (p. 1929).

?Diary of a Madman? is a depiction of society that stresses observance to a powerful authority, and the ultimate compliance to tradition. Lu Xun explains the idea that society is constantly being controlled and devoured by the masses of people who know no better than to follow tradition. His story gives the representation of a culture that has conformed to the cannibalistic nature of humans that feed upon themselves. Only through willingness to change and evolution can societies transform their behaviors and actions giving way to improvement.