Call to Arms
Tags
Summary
Lu Xun made significant contributions to many fields, including literary creation, literary criticism, intellectual studies, literary history research, translation, the introduction of art theory, the popularization of basic science, and the collation and study of ancient texts. He exerted a profound influence on the development of Chinese thought and culture after the May Fourth Movement and achieved world renown as a writer, holding a position and influence of exceptional importance especially in Korean and Japanese intellectual and cultural circles. He has been hailed as 'the writer occupying the largest territory on the map of twentieth-century East Asian culture.'
Editor's review
Call to Arms is Lu Xun's first collection of short stories, including "A Madman's Diary," "Kong Yiji," "Medicine," "My Old Home," "The True Story of Ah Q," "Village Opera," and more than ten other works. It is regarded as an important cornerstone of modern Chinese vernacular fiction. Its value lies not only in its place in literary history but in its deep dissection of the national spirit and the old order in short-story form: the madman's suspicion, Kong Yiji's pedantry, Hua Lao-shuan's numbness, and Ah Q's method of spiritual victory have all become highly recognizable character symbols. Lu Xun's style is cold and restrained, often shifting abruptly from plain description into irony; the pieces are short but linger in the mind. The subjects vary: there are enlightenment cries that point directly at social ills, and also warm recollections of childhood and the countryside. The collection suits close reading in class and rereading by adult readers at different stages of life. It is best treated as a "book of questions" rather than a "book of plot"; paying attention to the narrator's position, the crowd of onlookers, and the ironic tone will bring you closer to the author's intent.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Middle and high school students and Chinese teachers, for introducing modern literature and extending textbook reading
- Literature lovers who want a systematic understanding of the origins of modern Chinese fiction
- Readers concerned with national character, enlightenment, and social criticism
- Writing and narrative researchers, who can study short-story structure and ironic technique
Not a good fit for
- Readers of popular fiction who prefer strong plots and fast-paced stories
- Readers hoping for a light, comforting reading experience
- Beginners uncomfortable with Republican-era vernacular style and unwilling to consult annotations
Reading tips
- Read "A Madman's Diary," "Kong Yiji," and "My Old Home" first, then "The True Story of Ah Q," moving from short to long
- After each piece, write two or three sentences on "who watches and who is watched" to map the structure of onlookers
- Use the annotations to understand the late Qing and early Republican background; read unfamiliar words in context first and look them up afterward
- Read Call to Arms alongside Wandering and compare the changes in Lu Xun's style
Contents
- 版权信息
- 自序
- 狂人日记
- 孔乙己
- 药
- 明天
- 一件小事
- 头发的故事
- 风波
- 故乡
- 阿Q正传
- 端午节
- 白光
- 兔和猫
- 鸭的喜剧
- 社戏
FAQ
Is Call to Arms suitable for primary and middle school students?
Yes, but it is best read piece by piece. "My Old Home" and "Village Opera" have clear narratives and warm feeling, suitable for middle school students as an introduction; "A Madman's Diary" and "The True Story of Ah Q" are dense with symbolism and irony, so reading them with teacher or parent guidance and background annotations is advised; do not insist on understanding everything at once.
What is the difference between Call to Arms and Wandering?
Call to Arms carries more enlightenment zeal and the intent to "expose suffering," with short, sharp pieces; Wandering was written slightly later and deals more with intellectuals' hesitation and loneliness, in a heavier tone. Reading the two together reveals the development of Lu Xun's mood and style.
Do I need to know Lu Xun's biography before reading Call to Arms?
Not necessarily. Knowing the social background of the late Qing and early Republic, the abolition of the imperial examinations, and the New Culture Movement is enough to help understand the characters' situations. On a first reading, focus on the text; look up background when you encounter allusions, and avoid replacing the works with anecdotes about the author.
Why do many pieces in Call to Arms lack a complete ending?
Lu Xun often ends openly, leaving judgment to the reader. This technique reinforces the sense that reality is unfinished and forces readers to face the characters' predicaments rather than receive a comforting answer. When reading, pay attention to the narrative tone and the blanks at the end.
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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.
