A Quick Guide to Lu Xun's 'Ah Q'

In the turbulent village of Weizhuang, Ah Q was always noticeable. Despite his ragged clothes and coarse manners, he moved among the villagers with a unique presence. Whether arguing with others in the ancestral hall or muttering to himself in the streets, Ah Q’s figure was everywhere. He claimed to be a distant relative of the Zhao family, but the Zhaos never acknowledged him. His disdainful expression seemed to mock the injustices of the world.

One day, Ah Q got into an argument with a villager in the ancestral hall. The dispute started over a joke, and Ah Q was infuriated by being called “Ah Beard.” He stood up, pointed at the other’s nose, and cursed loudly, even shoving him. The villager fought back, punching Ah Q, who ended up bruised and battered, fleeing the hall. Later, Ah Q boasted to some children watching the commotion about his “victory,” claiming the other had “sneakily played dirty,” while he was a “righteous hero.” The children laughed uproariously, turning Ah Q’s self-comforting talk into a joke.

Ah Q’s life was filled with helplessness and absurdity. He often fantasized about being a great figure but was repeatedly frustrated by reality. Once, he overheard some villagers talking about “revolution” in a tavern. Curious, he asked for details. Hearing about the revolutionaries overthrowing the old regime to build a new society, he immediately resonated with the idea. He began proclaiming himself as a “revolutionary,” hoping to gain respect and recognition through this identity. However, the villagers mocked him, saying he couldn’t even feed himself, let alone talk about revolution. Ah Q stubbornly clung to his “revolutionary ideals,” believing it was his only way to escape poverty and change his fate.

Every night, Ah Q would walk alone by the riverside. Sitting on a large stone, he watched the moonlit ripples on the water, his heart filled with complex emotions. He thought about his future, about the beautiful life after the revolution’s success. He imagined himself as a revolutionary hero, respected and loved by all. Yet, reality was always harsh, and he could only find solace in these fantasies. Once, he met a village girl by the river, and they had an enjoyable conversation. Ah Q even fantasized about spending his life with her, but the girl merely saw him as an amusing joke.

One day, Ah Q was arrested for participating in a riot. He was taken to the county, facing indifferent officials and a crowd of onlookers. He was charged with “disturbing public order” and “participating in illegal gatherings.” The officials dismissed his pleas, and the crowd whispered, mocking his foolishness and pitifulness. Ah Q’s fate was sealed, and no matter how he struggled, he couldn’t escape execution. Before his execution, he was confined in a shabby cell, filled with fear and helplessness. Even in his final moments, he tried to maintain his dignity, loudly declaring himself a “revolutionary” to his guards, hoping to earn a shred of respect.