The Madman Who Saw Too Clearly
Revisiting Lu Xun
Image by: Ding Cong
By Hanyu Tales (29th May 2025)
Diary of a Madman is one of the most significant pieces of modern Chinese literature. First published in 1918 in the journal New Youth (新青年), it is widely regarded as the first modern Chinese short story written in vernacular Chinese rather than classical Chinese. Diary of a Madman forms part of almost every Chinese literature curriculum, but what makes it essential reading?
Background and Context
In the early 20th century— when Lu Xun’s classic story was written—China was in turmoil. The Qing dynasty had fallen and the country was now under the control of the Beiyang government, who brought great instability to Chinese society. More importantly, the rulers prevented intellectuals from spreading new ideas, which led to the May Fourth Movement in 1919—a student-led revolution advocating for science and democracy. 
Lu Xun was originally trained in medicine, but given the decline of intellect and ideas, he turned to literature, believing that changing the spirit of the people was more important than curing their bodies. He saw the Chinese society of his time as spiritually sick, held back by blind obedience and outdated views.
Image by: Unknown (cropped)
The Story
Diary of a Madman addresses the aforementioned societal issues of its time. It is told in the form of a diary, written by a man who believes those around him want to eat him. The narrator’s obsession with the idea that the society surrounding him has engaged in cannibalism is a symbol for Lu Xun’s view that Chinese society was consuming individuality, freedom, and humanity. This is encapsulated by Lu Xun’s call for action found in the last line of the diary, in which the narrator famously cries out: 救救孩子 (Save the children).
Themes and Significance
The irony of the story is that the “madman” is actually the sane observer of an insane society. The cannibalism he obsesses over is a metaphor for the oppression experienced by Chinese people during that era. This is why many consider this text one of the first stories that represented modern Chinese individualism; the fictional madman’s paranoia conveys a break away from blind conformity. It is therefore unsurprising that Lu Xun’s story has inspired generations of writers, thinkers, and reformers.
Who Should Read It?
Lu Xun is widely considered the father of modern Chinese literature, with Diary of a Madman as arguably his most significant piece. It is not just a fictional piece about mental illness—it concerns a society that is ill, and a lone voice that sees the sickness and dares to speak out. This text is taught in almost every Chinese literature curriculum and given its importance and depth, it is a must-read for any advanced learner.
If you want to read Diary of a Madman for yourself, click here!