Book Review of the True Story of ah q
Book Review of the True Story of Ah q
Introduction and book analysis
The novel, a true story of Ah Q, by Lu Xun was first published in 1921. However, this book’s content has a lot to be desired about the time it was set, the twentieth century. Precisely, the author takes the reader through the life experiences of Ah Q, a peasant, spiritual and ambitious man, who lacks regard for the authority. Lu Xun was born on the 25th of September 1881 (Xun, 2009). He exhibited a great passion for writing over the years and maintained a high regard for the Chinese culture. He wrote his first short story in 1911, but was disappointed with the copy and he threw it away. The story was purely based on his personal life experiences and disappointments. Similar to this title, the author focused on his experiences but does not present them in a rather direct way. As such, one is justified to claim that he utilized the title, a true story of Ah Q to describe people’s disregard for culture in the twentieth century. The book primarily outlines the social evils in a typical society through the utilization of the sins committed by the main protagonist. Precisely, the novel covers the aspects of power, Chinese culture and religion.
In the presentation of historical events, it is essential for the researchers to work towards giving an accurate depiction of the ancient society (Bowersock, 2007). Precisely, things mentioned in any historical presentation ought to represent an almost similar account of what transpired during that period. In the title, a true story of Ah Q, Lu Xun seeks to explain the level of disregard for authority in Ah Q’s life. Precisely, he outlines the aspect of poverty in the society and mentions how it affects people’s response to the government. He utilizes the main character, a peasant, to express his disregard for disobedience of authority. Additionally, he uses this novel as a platform to reveal the extent of societal discrimination of the poor population by the people in authority. Specifically, how Ah Q is a bully and oppresses the people below his rank. He seems not to show any concern over what the impact of his actions yields on the lives of other people. The author equally explains how people in the society in the context embrace spirituality regardless of the societal evils. His method is quite convincing and interestingly conveyed.
I agree with the method he uses to propose his argument concerning the penalty for disregarding authority. This is largely attributed to the fact that he uses satire to describe how Ah Q successfully exploits other people without reason and he is finally executed for his nuisance. He develops the protagonist’s unlikeable character by outlining his undoing when he moves to a new town. He does not appreciate their culture since he tries to ridicule their means of livelihood by terming it inferior. The novel gives a detailed description of the Chinese people’s culture as it develops the interesting life tale of Ah Q. Undoubtedly, I agree with Xun’s approach in the delivery of her arguments and the development of the overall plot.
I believe the author was trying to show the importance of according the authority the respect it deserves. Precisely, it is unlawful to engage in activities that are against the law or jeopardize other people’s survival. However, I think the description would have been more effective if the author gave a more vivid description of how the events transpired in this society. Instead of focusing on Ah Q’s misdoings, it would have been more productive to mention other people’s perception of the law. Arguably, it is not enough to let the reader ponder the interpretation of a tale especially when the message to be conveyed could be relevant in real life scenarios. Precisely, he should have presented the story from a different perspective by shifting his focus from the main protagonist, Ah Q. For instance, he could have focused on the development of the Xinhai Revolution before informing advancing to the outcome of the main character’s decision to join this group. Nonetheless, the story delivery is still solid regardless of the above mentioned flaw.
Lu Xun tries to present a hidden message about the Chinese society. Precisely, how people valued their culture in that society. Additionally, he outlines the effects of civil unrest on citizens. Xun describes the harsh actions of the members of the Xinhai revolution. This is made possible through the utilization of Ah Q’s endeavors to become a member of the group to oppress the lesser-privileged people in the society. It is worth mentioning that the events mentioned in the novel depict the outcomes of war revolution in the real world. As a result, there is no justification for claiming the true story of Ah Q is purely a fictional novel. In spite of the fact that the events described in the tale are not real, it is essential to note that they have a high similarity to the real world. For instance, the extent of radicalization described in the story is comparable to the events in the concurrent society. Additionally, disregard for authority explained through an overview of Ah Q’s life is experienced in the modern society.
Lesson from the book
Representation of the historical period
Debatably, the author gave a correct representation of the Chinese society. Through historical fiction, he managed to strike the balance between reality and creativity. Precisely, he utilizes fictional characters to justify the actions experienced by the Chinese. Additionally, the information presented in the novel is not exaggerated. In spite of the shortcomings in Ah Q’s life, the author ensures that the information presented is credible. For instance, the effects of civil unrest depicted in the novel are believable. He mentions that the Xinhai Revolution went into towns and made away with people’s property. Additionally, there were casualties to the events orchestrated by this group. Consequently, one is justified to claim that Lu Xun accurately describes the Chinese society. He expresses evils committed by this group to enhance the aspect of realism in the tale. This is largely attributed to the fact that the outcomes of the civil unrest and disobedience of the law are similar to the concurrent society.
In spite of the fact that this tale utilizes historical fiction to convey the original argument, it is wise to note that accurate representation is essential in historical writing. Precisely, it enhances the relevance of the information given regarding the society described. If exaggerated information were to be used, the live aspect of fictional history would have been overlooked. According to Bowersock (2007), giving accurate descriptions of ancient societies is essential regardless of the material being presented in a story. As a result, there is no justification for the utilization of inaccurate information to depict the ancient society. Rather than focusing on making the novel interesting by exaggerating the information given regarding an ancient community, it is imperative for researchers and authors to shift the focus to accurately describing historical events. In this case, Xun enhances one’s knowledge of the society in the China. This helps in relating the information presented to the concurrent society.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is essential for researchers and authors to capitalize on the utilization of fictional history to present credible information regarding past events. Precisely, they should express an aspect of realism in the information conveyed in their works. Lu Xun was successful in balancing fictional history and accurately describing the Chinese society by utilizing Ah Q’s life experiences. Through the application of fictional characters and hypothetical situations, he manages to reveal the aspect of poverty and oppression in the Chinese society. From reviewing the content presented in the tale, one can appreciate the importance of the authority in the maintenance of peace and sustainability in any nation. Additionally, it enhances one’s knowledge of the vices present in any society. Undeniably, the true story of Ah Q is an accurate description of how fictional history ought to be used in the representation of credible information about actual historical events.
References
Bowersock, G. (2007). Fiction as history. Berkeley, Calif.: University of California Press.
Lu, Xun, and Julia Lovell. The real story of Ah-Q and other tales of China: the complete fiction of Lu Xun. London: Penguin Books, 2009.
