Reflections on Luotuo Xiangzi’s essays (that is, what insights come from where you read them)

Part 2: Reading experience of Luotuo Xiangzi

This novel is based on the life of Beijing citizens in the late 1920s, with the rough and tragic life experience of the rickshaw driver Xiangzi as the main plot. It profoundly exposed the darkness of old China and accused the ruling class of its deep sympathy for the working people.

It shows a true picture of old China, with a rich flavor of life and distinctive national style and local characteristics. Xiangzi, who was competitive and strong, hoped to become a "free rickshaw puller" and got married to Huniu, Liu Siye's daughter. Soon Huniu died of dystocia. Xiaofuzi, the daughter of Erqiangzi who pulls the cart, has feelings for Xiangzi, but they cannot get together because of poverty. When Xiangzi, who was full of hope for the future, came to see Xiaofuzi, Xiaofuzi was already dead. The strong Xiangzi was eventually swallowed up by the cannibal society.

I seem to see overpasses, drum towers, white towers, archways, streets, alleys, depots, courtyards and bustling crowds. This is the old Beijing decades ago, but there is nothing idyllic here. Ordinary happiness, but Xiangzi's big feet running non-stop through the streets and alleys, under the scorching sun, rain and snow, his difficult figure can be seen everywhere. The whips of the soldiers and bandits, the exploitation of Mr. Yang, the curses of Fourth Master Liu, Detective Sun’s obvious robbery, and the indifference of the foreign doctors, this is a real hell! In the end, Huniu died tragically, Xiao Fuzi hanged himself, Lao Ma's head fell to death on the street, and Xiangzi finally fell into despair and gradually disappeared into a city gate... This is the life of the working people at the bottom of Beijing in the 1910s and 20s. This lifelike The description made me realize the insurmountable tragic fate of the rickshaw pullers, and gave me a deep understanding of "what hell is like."

Xiangzi’s tragedy is the product of the social living environment in which he lives. Through the description of the characters and interpersonal relationships around Xiangzi, the novel truly shows the life in that dark society, showing the ugly faces of warlords, spies, and car factory owners, as well as the oppression and oppression of Xiangzi by the web of domination woven by them. A deformed reflection of oppressed relations.