Curing the Cannibals Lu Xun's Literary Works as Sociopolitical Action

Date of Award

2006

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Brain, David

Keywords

China, Xun, Lu, May Fourth Movement, Cannibals

Area of Concentration

Sociology

Abstract

This thesis examines the role of literature in the May Fourth period of the Chinese revolution (1917-1930s). Focusing on Lu Xun, �the father of modern Chinese literature,� I discuss the elements of culture that influence his literary works. I argue that both Western ideas and Confucianism served as a repertoire used by Lu Xun to promote social change through literature, allowing his literary works to become a form of sociopolitical action. Lu Xun �constructed� his action through a series of strategies that were influenced by his Chinese and Western education. To reach this conclusion, I used the literary theories proposed by Burke and Eagleton that examine the political character of literature, and the sociological theories proposed by Goldmann and Swidler that analyze the relationship between culture, worldviews, literature, and action. I support these theories using several analyses of Lu Xun�s works suggested by his critics.

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