Ah Q Archaeology: Lu Xun, Ah Q, Ah Q Progeny, and the National Character Discourse in Twentieth Century ChinaAlthough Lu Xun was a leading intellectual and writer in twentieth century China, and his representative character Ah Q, hero of 'The True Story of Ah Q,' is considered an iconic repository of progressive Chinese thinking about the national character, few works examine the major discourses in his thought and writing relative to broader historical and intellectual currents outside the context of his politicization. Ah Q Archaeology, however, concretely situates Lu Xun's critique of national character vis-a-vis metanarratives of nationalism and modernity through a close examination of his works in their historical context. Paul B. Foster uses a discursive approach to tie together Lu Xun's major theme of national character critique and its fate in China's tumultuous twentieth century. This book is an important and unique contribution to modern Chinese intellectual history and modern Chinese literature. |
Contents
1 | |
19 | |
The Foundations of his Engagement with the National Character Discourse | 67 |
4 The Trajectory of National Character in Lu Xuns Writings 19181936 | 91 |
Lu Xuns Attack on National Essence and Chinese Spiritual Culture | 119 |
6 Lu Xun and the Construction of the Ah Q Discourse 19221949 | 171 |
Lu Xuns International Reputation Romain Rollands Critique of The True Story of Ah Q and the Nobel Prize | 249 |
Figures | 251 |
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Common terms and phrases
A Q zhengzhuan age of Ah Ah Q discourse Ah Q research Ah Q's analysis attack Battlecry Beijing Chang Hao Chapter characteristics Chen Chen Duxiu China Chinese literary Chinese literature Chinese national character Chinese spiritual culture chubanshe Confucian contemporary Creation Society critics critique of national discourse of national discussed essays foreign Fourth guocui guomin Ibid idea intellectual jingshen junzi late Qing Liang Qichao Lu Xun Lu Xun's critique LXQJ LXSW LXYXLZZH Madman Mao Dun Marxist method of spiritual minzu Miss Ah Q modern Chinese morality narrator national character critique national character discourse national essence national essence supporters national identity negative numerous political Qing Dynasty race reader revolution revolutionary Rolland's praise Romain Rolland satire says Sequel Shanghai slave social spiritual victory Story of Ah Suiganlu trans translation True Story Wang wenxue Western writing Wu Ma Xun's yanjiu Zhang Zhao Zhongguo Zhou Zuoren