Reading Lu Xun Through Carl Jung By Carolyn Brown

explored Lu Xun’s contribution to broader literary and cultural concerns, for example, the development of realism during the twentieth century or issues of evolving Chinese identity within both China and the diaspora. In short, the conceptual framework within which the entire field of modern Chinese literature is being considered has broadened, deepened, and grown more diverse and complex.

A century after his first story ignited a literary revolution, Lu Xun’s importance as an analyst of Chinese realities has diminished as the past has receded. Those who had looked to him to illuminate social realities can reasonably argue that he has lost contemporary relevance but remains a major, still-fascinating figure of Chinese history. Unsurprisingly, Lu Xun has retained his importance among those taking inspiration from his spirit of truth-telling as they discover anew that speaking truth to power is no less dangerous than before, though such courageous voices inevitably are few.²⁶

Nevertheless, the question remains of the importance of his work for the present. As a logical consequence of the tendency of critics to approach his stories through what C. T. Hsia called an “obsession with China,” critical explorations have naturally migrated toward considerations of historical, biographical, societal, or political issues.²⁷ Penetrating and revelatory, many of these studies represent the very best scholarship on Lu Xun and offer penetrating insights.²⁸

My point of entry, however, is different. In seeking a hypothesis to explain my undergraduate experience of one stunning story, I have used a different set of tools, asked a different set of questions, and so naturally have arrived at different perceptions, which I hope will add one more thread to the rich tapestry of critical approaches to Lu Xun’s short stories. This study does not answer the question of his contemporary relevance directly but instead suggests a different direction from which to address that issue. Lu Xun’s words written for the preface to the Russian translation of “The True Story of Ah Q” are particularly relevant: