Lu Xun’s Writing Essay
Writers use a variety of literary devices to pass a message to their readers, which influences the audience’s reactions to the subject matter. They also ensure that people understand the authors’ pieces (Fadaee 19). Lu Xun argues that poems were more influential in the past than they are today. Poets were highly regarded because they addressed issues affecting the society. The author uses personification and introspection to compare the ancient poetic tradition with the current situation. In the past, poems were seen as an avenue for expression; however, the culture no longer exists. As a result, lovers of poetry still feel the vacuum left by the great ancient poets.
Lu Xun uses personification to explain the effect of poetry on people’s lives.
The author captures the reader’s mind by giving poems some human characteristics. In addition, the style ensures that the subject is more relatable to human beings by appealing to their emotions (Sayakhan 7). The writer asserts that poetry traversed many generations to enter people’s souls. He also adds that this type of art did not lose its focus when those who loved them went mute. Instead, it rose farther that an individual could imagine. In fact, it was one of the most significant drivers of civilization. By giving poetry some human features, Xun aims at ensuring that the reader understands the effects of poetry in ancient times better. In fact, he adds that in the past, poetry was the voice of the soul, which shows that it was respected and authoritative.
The author gives poems a life of their own. A poet’s work is simply reduced to composing and expressing the literary piece. A lyricist is only meant to disturb the minds of the people. Human beings appreciate a piece that addresses their current issues. A well-written article transcends all barriers and captures the readers’ minds. In fact, it influences and directs their moves.
The author also uses imagery throughout the essay to describe subjects in a manner that readers can relate. In other words, the style appeals to people’s physical senses by creating visual representations of some objects (Judson 5). An individual can develop a mental picture just by reading certain statements. The writer compares poetry to a flower. This literary device is meant to manipulate the audience into seeing the beauty of the subject. A flower is regarded as an attractive thing that any individual would want to have around. Additionally, it has a nice smell, thereby making people cherish it. By comparing poetry to a flower, the author aims at ensuring that the reader visualizes its beauty. It becomes easier to understand the writer’s lamentations regarding the subject’s lost glory. In fact, the reader imagines that humanity lost a rare commodity by not taking poetry seriously.
The author also uses reflection throughout the story. The technique incorporates memory and feelings to help the audience understand the subject matter (Hashemi and Mirzaei 104). The writer makes the reader know his thoughts by carefully analyzing the past and the present situation. A person can easily tell that there is a big difference between today’s poetry and the one practiced in ancient times. Xun starts with a vivid description of how this type of art was practiced in different countries. For instance, India had four Vedas who were known for their great talent and skill. In fact, they were highly respected throughout the world. Goethe, a German master, described the poets as unrivalled on earth and in heaven. Sadly, their glory did not last. The poetry culture in India lost its vigor, thereby making the Vedas’ names and influence shrink.
The author also highlights the nature of poetry among the Hebrews. Although their poems highly focused on religion and doctrines, their writing style was deep and unmatched. In fact, the ancient pieces continue to influence people even today (Xie). Just like in India, the culture was soon forgotten once the great personalities lost their influence. The situation was the same in Israel, Egypt, Iran, Russia, and Germany (Forster 80). The countries’ poetic culture was full of life in the beginning; however, they forgot and lost their course midway.
Through introspection and reflection, the writer questions the relevance of ancient poetry in today’s world. Although the past works are highly regarded, they have little authority in the present world. The author describes them as soliloquies of former glory that detract people from their current loneliness. In fact, comparing the respect that was accorded to poems in the past to the current world is just a mockery. The ancient poets and wise men led a life that was beyond the reach of common men. They lived in storied houses, wore highly priced jewelry, and rode in horses. They were highly respected because of the issues they addressed at the time.
The fall in the poetry culture happened because of laziness and the lack of mentorship. As the glory of the past poets died, no one was available to continue what they had started. Today, their loss evokes a feeling of desolation. Their understanding of the issues affecting their countries and the bravery to address such matters endeared them to the people (Arnold 144). Many countries recount the past days with admiration and a faint hope for the future. For instance, China would love to regain its lost poetic glory; however, its attempts have been unsuccessful.
Through reflection and a detailed analysis, the author helps the reader to understand the role of poetry in addressing essential issues of the society. In fact, he states that influential figures have always tried to kill the art but have been unable. The writer states that after failing to finish the art, lawmakers devised rules that were meant to hold it captive (Xun 104). For instance, Shun asserted that Chinese poetry manipulated the human brain. In other words, the statement was meant to tarnish poems and poets.
In conclusion, the poetic culture has significantly changed. In the past, poets were highly regarded because they addressed essential issues facing the society; however, the situation is different in modern times. In fact, the influence of the ancient lyricists is still felt to date. Lu Xun has personified poems to help the reader realize their impact in people’s lives. Additionally, the author has employed introspection and reflection to ensure that the audience differentiates between the ancient situation and the current one. In the past, poets were highly skilled and passed their messages in ways engaged the masses. Art is not as appreciated today as it was in ancient times; however, there is still hope as long as artists focus on defending the truth instead of seeking for their individual glory.
Works Cited
Hashemi, Zahra, and Tayebeh Mirzaei. “Conversations of the Mind: The Impact of Journal Writing on Enhancing EFL Medical Students’ Reflections, Attitudes, and Sense of Self”. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, vol 199, 2015, pp. 103-10.
Fadaee, Elaheh. “Symbols, Metaphors and Similes in Literature: A Case Study of ‘Animal Farm’”. Journal of English and Literature, vol. 2, no. 2, 2010, pp. 19-27. Judson, Gillian. “The Role of Mental Imagery in Imaginative and Ecological Teaching”. Canadian Journal of Education, vol 37, no. 4, 2014, pp. 1-17. Sayakhan, Najat Ismael. “The Use of Personification and Apostrophe as Facilitators in Teaching Poetry”. International Journal of Literature and Arts, vol. 4, no. 1, 2016, pp. 7-11., doi:10.11648/j.ijla.20160401.12.
Xun, Lu. “On the Power of Mara Poetry.” Modern Chinese Literary Thought. Writings on Literature 1893-1945, edited by Kirk A. Denton, Stanford University Press, 1996, pp. 97-109.
