Reflection of Cannibalistic Societies through Diary of a...

The meager image depicted by Lu Xuns Diary of a Madman projects an illustration of society that stresses submission to authority, and the ultimate compliance to tradition. Lu Xun battles the idea that society is constantly being manipulated and controlled by the masses of people who know no better than to follow tradition. His story Diary of a Madman gives the representation of a culture that has not only failed, but failed by the cannibalistic nature of humans corrupting them-selves over and over again therefore feeding upon themselves. The analysis of Diary of a Madman gives way to a new interpretation of societies of the past, present, and future. Following the idea that history tends to repeat itself, I have paralleled the†¦show more content†¦The content of the story is divided into thirteen chapters that project images of society in discrete ways. The preface of the story begins explaining the story of two male siblings who remain nameless and identity less throug hout the story. The men can be seen as society as a whole, without a name, without an identity, without individuality. The identity of a culture is very important to give separation between individuals, but in the story there is no distinct characteristic described that can set these two men apart from any other two men. Without the individualism of nations, cultures, and people, identity can never be established or characterized. As the story unfolds the main character, the diarist, announces the idea that one must always be in a constant state of awareness, always ready for attack. The thought that someone could cast a look of fear upon another, but at the same time reflect an attitude of complete hostility towards another begins the diarist?s paranoia for others. Paranoia is a theme that runs wild in the ?Diary of a Madman?, disillusioning the diarist into feeling that he is going to be attacked by others, or even worse eaten. This false belief that people are plotting against the diarist is the central story line of the story. Although the idea of cannibalism may not be a worry in today?s society, the paranoia of society still exists. For example, the paranoid society of Nazi