Snackz logo
Call to Arms

Edited by Xiao Feng

0 Pages
2009

Call to Arms

Below is just an AI summary! If you really want to learn something:

โšก Free 3min Summary

"Call to Arms" - Summary

A searing indictment of societal ills and a rallying cry for change, "Call to Arms" offers a glimpse into the tumultuous early 20th century China through the lens of Lu Xun's sharp prose. This collection of short stories, essays, and prose poems is considered a cornerstone of modern Chinese literature. With its unflinching portrayal of human suffering and its powerful call for intellectual awakening, "Call to Arms" remains as relevant today as it was upon its initial publication.

Key Ideas

1

The suffocating weight of tradition

Lu Xun masterfully dissects the oppressive nature of traditional Chinese society. He criticizes its rigid hierarchies, outdated customs, and blind adherence to Confucian values, arguing that they stifle individuality and hinder progress. In stories like "A True Story of Ah Q" and "The Diary of a Madman," he exposes the hypocrisy and cruelty perpetuated in the name of tradition.

2

The need for national awakening

A fervent patriot, Lu Xun saw his writing as a weapon against ignorance and apathy. He believed that China's path to modernization required a complete societal transformation, starting with a radical shift in the national mindset. He urged his readers to abandon outdated beliefs, embrace critical thinking, and fight for a better future for their nation. This call to action resonates throughout the collection, especially in essays like "Preface to 'Call to Arms'."

3

The power of individual resistance

While critical of societal structures, Lu Xun remained deeply invested in the lives of individuals. He portrays the struggles of ordinary people trapped within a system that devalues their humanity. Yet, within these depictions of suffering, glimmers of hope emerge through acts of individual defiance, however small or symbolic. From the silent rebellion of the female characters in "My Old Home" to the protagonist's desperate search for meaning in "A Madman's Diary," Lu Xun suggests that even in the face of overwhelming odds, individual resistance holds the potential for change.

FAQ's

The collection was published in 1922, a period of immense political and social upheaval in China. The fall of the Qing Dynasty and the subsequent rise of the Republic had left a void, leading to widespread disillusionment and calls for reform. "Call to Arms" reflects this turbulent era and Lu Xun's own anxieties about his nation's future.

Known for his sharp wit and biting satire, Lu Xun employed a variety of literary devices, from poignant realism to darkly humorous allegory. He often used vernacular language and incorporated elements of traditional Chinese storytelling, making his writing both accessible and impactful.

Beyond its historical context, "Call to Arms" endures for its universal themes of societal critique, the struggle for identity, and the importance of individual awakening. Lu Xun's masterful storytelling, his incisive observations on human nature, and his unwavering call for progress continue to resonate with readers around the world.

Enjoyed the sneak peak? Get the full summary!

Explore Summaries

The Human Stain

The Human Stain

Philip Roth

405 Pages
2010
Markus Zusak: The Book Thief & I Am the Messenger

Markus Zusak: The Book Thief & I Am the Messenger

Markus Zusak

910 Pages
2014
Intellectual Property Law

Intellectual Property Law

Commercial, Creative and Industrial Property

Jay Dratler, Jr., Stephen M. McJohn

1386 Pages
2023
Holy Silence

Holy Silence

J. Brent Bill

159 Pages
2016
Daniel Kahneman

Daniel Kahneman

A Biography

Blake Stevenson

38 Pages
2017
The Hundred-page Machine Learning Book

The Hundred-page Machine Learning Book

Andriy Burkov

160 Pages
2019
Ali Cross

Ali Cross

James Patterson

201 Pages
2019
Othello

Othello

William Shakespeare

136 Pages
1883
The phantom tollbooth

The phantom tollbooth

Norton Juster

Norton Juster

0 Pages
1993
No Way to Behave at a Funeral

No Way to Behave at a Funeral

A Tale of Personal Loss through Suicide

Noel Braun

251 Pages
2018
The Scarlet Veil

The Scarlet Veil

Shelby Mahurin

603 Pages
2023
Good Omens

Good Omens

The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch

Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett

434 Pages
2011
No B.S. Direct Marketing

No B.S. Direct Marketing

The Ultimate No Holds Barred Kick Butt Take No Prisoners Direct Marketing for Non-Direct Marketing Businesses

Dan S. Kennedy

196 Pages
2013
Rosie and the Friendship Angel

Rosie and the Friendship Angel

Lucinda Riley, Harry Whittaker

57 Pages
2022
Starling House

Starling House

A Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick that is the perfect dark Gothic fairytale for autumn!

Alix E. Harrow

392 Pages
2023
Elantris

Elantris

Brandon Sanderson

508 Pages
2005
Wild at Heart

Wild at Heart

Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul

John Eldredge

274 Pages
2011
Homecoming

Homecoming

Diane Dakers

115 Pages
2014
She Comes First

She Comes First

The Thinking Man's Guide to Pleasuring a Woman

Ian Kerner

0 Pages
2019
Sunset

Sunset

--

638 Pages
1926
GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN

GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN

JAMES BALDWIN

230 Pages
1953
Moonwalking with Einstein

Moonwalking with Einstein

The Art and Science of Remembering Everything

Joshua Foer

341 Pages
2011
A Molecule Away from Madness: Tales of the Hijacked Brain

A Molecule Away from Madness: Tales of the Hijacked Brain

Sara Manning Peskin

218 Pages
2022
Bright Signals

Bright Signals

A History of Color Television

Susan Murray

320 Pages
2018
The Rise of Tiger Claw (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)

The Rise of Tiger Claw (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)

Nickelodeon Publishing

117 Pages
2016
Pete the Cat: 5-Minute Pete the Cat Stories

Pete the Cat: 5-Minute Pete the Cat Stories

Includes 12 Groovy Stories!

James Dean

0 Pages
2017
The Lorax

The Lorax

Dr. Seuss

72 Pages
2013
Successful and Set for Life

Successful and Set for Life

Get Everything You Want in Life, Work, and Relationships

Les J. Tripp MBA

197 Pages
2015
The Complete Persepolis

The Complete Persepolis

Marjane Satrapi

356 Pages
2007
Project Hail Mary

Project Hail Mary

A Novel

Andy Weir

497 Pages
2021

Letโ€™s find the perfect book for you!

Get book summaries directly into your inbox!

Join more than 10,000 readers in our newsletter

Snackz book

Discover the Snackz AI catalogue

Snackz logo

The right book at the right time will change your life.

Get the books directly into your inbox!

โœ… New Release

โœ… Book Recommendation

โœ… Book Summaries

Copyright 2023-2024. All rights reserved.