徬徨

Name: 徬徨
Author: Xun Lu

By Xun Lu

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About This Book

A narrator returning to his home at year end observes local rituals and meets Xianglin Sao, whose life is narrated: she labors as a servant, is taken back to her marital household and forced into a constrained life, loses a child and later her husband, then becomes marginalized and reduced to begging. Townspeople first show pity that hardens into curiosity and mockery as she repeats her grief, while ritual observance and popular superstition proceed unaffected. The account follows her solitude and decline, exposing communal indifference, the precarious condition of vulnerable women, and the hypocrisy beneath customary observances.

About the Author

Xun Lu

Lu Xun, a prominent figure in modern Chinese literature, is celebrated for his critical and often satirical examination of Chinese society. Born in 1881, he initially pursued a career in medicine before turning to writing, believing literature could serve as a tool for social change. His notable works include "A Madman's Diary," which is recognized as one of the first modern short stories in China, and "The True Story of Ah Q," a poignant critique of the Chinese national character. Lu Xun's writings often reflect themes of alienation and the struggles of the individual against societal norms, making him a pivotal voice in the literary landscape of the early 20th century.