The Analysis of the Story “Diary of a Madman” by Lu Xun

The idea of the meaning of life, as well as questioning what is perceived as giving us meaning, is a central topic of discussion in Modernism. Through analyzing the texts Metamorphosis and Diary of a Madman, one can find that the former uses this idea to question the values of family and work while the latter questions the unwillingness of people to change in the idea that people derive meaning from following the way that things always have been.

Kafka’s Metamorphosis questions the values of work and family as to the meaning and purpose most people derive from them.

This is shown in the words, “we business people often find ourselves in the position of having to set aside some minor ailment, in the greater interest of our work… I’ll be at work myself presently. Kindly be so good as to…pass on my regards to the director!” (Puchner, 1209-1210) The words of the Chief Clerk, as well as Gregor’s desire to get to work, are used by Kafka to show the lack of meaning and logic in going to work when one is ill. This undermines the assumption that work gives meaning in life.

This is further expressed in the quote, “If I didn’t have to exercise restraint for the sake of my parents, then I would have quit a long time ago; I would have gone up to the director and told him exactly what I thought of him.” (Puchner, 1205) This value of family as a reason for work gives meaning to Gregor, but this is questioned by the author in what is summed up in the editor’s words, “now that Gregor has let the family down…their sympathy is slowly replaced by disgust.” (Puchner, 1203) The act of Gregor’s family turning on him and expressing their own selfishness erodes at the value of family as a source of meaning.

Through the ramblings of the narrator in Diary of a Madman, Xun imparts the general idea that humans cling to the status quo and refuse change. This can be seen in the quote, “They’d rather die than take that one little step…all they’d have to do is…change…” (Puchner, 1244-1245) This reflects the nature of humanity to resist change, which can be seen everywhere in today’s world, from movie sequels to tendencies to buy name brand products. This is shown again in the statement, “Even though people may say, ‘it’s always been like this,’ we can still do our best to improve.” (Puchner, 1245) This imparts the meaning that most people derive from acting based on how others did before. Furthermore, in the editor’s words, “As the diary progresses, … [the madman] assimilates everyone into his fixed view of the world…” (Puchner, 1237), the madman is described himself to have an unchanging view that he so despises, which further reinforces the author’s point. Although the madman discovered this meaning about life and humanity by the wrong reasoning, the idea still is communicated to readers.

In conclusion, both Metamorphosis and Diary of a Madman question the fundamental values which people derive meaning for their existence from. This modernist idea is a source of much insight into the meaning of human life.

Works Cited

Puchner, Martin, editor. The Norton Anthology of World Literature. 3rd ed., vol. 2 2, W.W. Norton & Company, 2013. 

Did you like this example?

297

16