Diary of a Madman by Lu Xun was different to say the least. I really enjoyed the way the short story was set up. The narrator is reading the diary to the reader. I think it adds a little more interest to the story.
I understand that cannibalism was a part of Chinese literature, but I still cannot get over the topic of this short story. The story begins with the “madman” noticing the beauty in the moonlight. The story does not tell us if he has always been a “madman” or if this is a recent change in behavior. “Haven’t seen it in over thirty years. Seeing it today, I feel like a new man.” (1921) This statement makes me think that, in his mind at least, his insanity has helped him reach clarity. I guess he thinks that he was blinded by conformity for the first thirty years of his life.
The second chapter of the story also begins with the mention of the moonlight. This night, there is no moonlight. I think this gives distress to the “madman” because he states, “something’s not quite right.” (1921) It seems like the entire, for the lack of a better word, vibe is off because there is no moon. Like the “madman” needs the moon to have a good day. The story continues with the “madman” trapped in a room. He is convinced that everyone is a cannibal. It ends with the lonesome cry, “Save the children…” (1929)
My only complaint about this story is it never tells us how the “madman” become sane again.
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