Lǔ Xùn (鲁迅)

**Lu Xun: The Father of Modern Chinese Literature** **Early Life and Background** Born Zhou Shuren (周树人) in 1881 in Shaoxing, Zhejiang province, Lu Xun grew up in a declining scholarly family. His early years were marked by financial hardship after his grandfather was imprisoned for corruption. This period exposed him to societal injustices, shaping his critical worldview. He studied medicine in Japan but abandoned it after realizing the greater need to "cure" China’s cultural and spiritual ailments through literature. **Major Achievements and Contributions** Lu Xun pioneered modern Chinese literature with his sharp social critiques. His iconic short story *"The True Story of Ah Q"* (1921) satirized national complacency, while *"Diary of a Madman"* (1918)—China’s first modern vernacular story—condemned feudal "cannibalism." He also founded the *Yusi* literary journal and mentored young writers, advocating for linguistic reform by writing in accessible vernacular Chinese. **Historical Significance** A key figure of the May Fourth Movement (1919), Lu Xun’s works challenged Confucian traditions and exposed societal ills. Though critical of both feudalism and blind Westernization, his writings later became central to Communist literary canon, despite his ambivalence toward political ideologies. **Interesting Facts** - Lu Xun designed the prestigious Peking University emblem still in use today. - He was a skilled graphic artist, creating innovative book cover designs. - A lifelong smoker, he reportedly died of tuberculosis in 1936, leaving an unfinished novel. **Legacy and Influence** Revered as China’s greatest modern writer, Lu Xun’s themes of social justice remain relevant. His coined phrases like "steel-like savages" (describing resilient reformers) endure in public discourse. Museums, annual lectures, and his image on RMB banknotes cement his status as a cultural icon whose critiques continue to resonate globally.