Three Idlers

Lu XunMay 2017

4.3

Word count: 45K words
Chapters: 28

Summary

Sanxian Ji (Three Idle Talks), a collection of essays by Lu Xun. Lu Xun (September 25, 1881 – October 19, 1936), originally named Zhou Zhangshou and later Zhou Shuren, courtesy names Yushan and later Yucai, was a native of Shaoxing, Zhejiang. "Lu Xun" was the pen name he used in 1918 when he published "A Madman's Diary," and it became his most influential pen name. He was a renowned writer and thinker, an important participant in the May Fourth New Culture Movement, and a founder of modern Chinese literature.

Editor's review

Sanxian Ji is a collection within Lu Xun's essay writing, gathering argumentative pieces from a particular period. Compared with his earlier essays, these show a more self-conscious argumentative stance and greater stylistic variety: some criticize social phenomena, others respond to literary controversies, and the language is seasoned and sharp. The materials identify it only as a collection of Lu Xun's essays without detailing individual pieces, so reading should be guided by the texts themselves rather than by presupposing a unified theme. Its value lies in showing the continuity and change in Lu Xun's essay writing, making it suitable for readers who have read some of his essays and wish to broaden their reading. Since the arguments mostly address specific contexts, reading with annotations and background information is recommended, treating it as a sample of Lu Xun's ways of thinking and expression rather than a standalone collection of aphorisms.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers who have read some of Lu Xun's essays and wish to continue exploring
Literary readers interested in Lu Xun's argumentative style and stylistic changes
University students seeking reading samples from the history of modern Chinese essays
Readers willing to read modern argumentative writing closely with annotations

Not a good fit for

Readers new to Lu Xun who wish to start with his fiction
Readers expecting complete plots or lyrical prose
Readers unwilling to consult background materials and seeking immediate reading pleasure

Reading tips

First browse the table of contents and annotations to understand the general context of each piece, then read them one by one.
For controversial pieces, mark the figures and periodicals involved first, and sort them out after finishing.
Read alongside Re Feng (Hot Wind) to compare differences in tone and subject matter across periods.
After each section, write two or three summarizing sentences to help grasp the connections among the scattered pieces.

版权信息
序言
无声的中国
怎么写
在钟楼上——夜记之二
辞顾颉刚教授令“候审”
匪笔三篇
某笔两篇
述香港恭祝圣诞
孔诞祝圣言感
吊与贺
“醉眼”中的朦胧
看司徒乔君的画
在上海的鲁迅启事
文艺与革命
扁
路
头
通信
太平歌诀
铲共大观
我的态度气量和年纪
革命咖啡店
文坛的掌故
文学的阶级性
“革命军马前卒”和“落伍者”
《近代世界短篇小说集》小引
叶永蓁作《小小十年》小引

FAQ

Where does Sanxian Ji stand among Lu Xun's essays?

The materials show that Sanxian Ji is a collection of Lu Xun's essays but do not specify the exact years of writing or the range of pieces. What is certain is that it is part of Lu Xun's essay writing and is best read within the overall context of his essays rather than as an isolated collection of aphorisms.

Is this book suitable as an introduction to Lu Xun's essays?

Relatively speaking, it is not the most ideal starting point. The arguments mostly address specific contexts, and without knowledge of Lu Xun's era and literary controversies, the threshold is rather high. Reading some background introductions or Lu Xun's earlier essays first will make this book easier to understand.

What should be noted when reading Sanxian Ji?

Two things: first, use the annotations to clarify the background and targets of each piece's argument, avoiding treating specific criticism as abstract aphorism; second, pay attention to the stylistic features of Lu Xun's essays, such as irony, sarcasm, and layer-by-layer argumentation. Slow reading and note-taking are more rewarding than rushing to finish.

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About the author

Lu Xun Author · China · 1881–1936

Lu Xun, originally named Zhou Shuren and styled Yucai, was a native of Shaoxing, Zhejiang, and a leading modern Chinese writer and thinker as well as a representative figure of the New Culture Movement. With works such as "A Madman's Diary" and "The True Story of Ah Q," he laid the foundation of modern Chinese fiction. His writing often focuses on the spiritual condition of ordinary people and on social reality, in a cold, concise style rich in critique and self-reflection. His story collections "Call to Arms" and "Wandering" and his prose collection "Dawn Blossoms Plucked at Dusk" are widely read, and his works are often classified as classics, social fiction, and documentary literature. The library holds as many as 499 editions of his works, showing that they continue to be read, anthologized, and circulated. Public information is limited, so this is only a brief account of his life's key points and creative character.