Author ｜
Zidong Xu
Abstract ｜
Nuli 奴隸 (slave) and Nuchai 奴才 (lackey) are two keywords that are often seen in Lu Xun’s works. Though the meaning of these two terms may appear so similar, and sometimes to a point that readers can get confused, there are subtle yet significant differences between them. By differentiating the differences between these two terms, we hope to be led to a new perspective from which we can re-examine Lu Xun’s thoughts and works closely and re-read his important novella titled The True Story of Ah Q. Besides Nuli and Nuchai, a third term called Nulixing 奴隸性 (slave-like mentality) which appears in The True Story of Ah Q also deserves some attention. This paper will investigate the complicated relationship of these three terms.
keywords ｜
slave, lackey, The True Story of Ah Q, Ah Q spirit, slave-like mentality