Final answer:
Lu Xun's "A Madman’s Diary" uses the protagonist's madness as an allegory to critique traditional Chinese literature and societal norms, highlighting the detrimental effects of the past on present social progress and individual freedom.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lu Xun, as one of the early modernist Chinese writers, used his work "A Madman’s Diary" to usher in a new era in Chinese literature that deviated from traditional forms. The main character's perceived madness is a metaphorical device employed by Lu Xun to provoke critical thinking among readers, urging them to question longstanding societal beliefs and values handed down through texts considered canonical within traditional Chinese culture. This diary format allowed for a personalized perspective on the oppressive nature of rigid social norms and the cannibalistic nature of society, both literally and figuratively, representing how the past was consuming the present.
The narrative evaluates the impact of the past on the present by illustrating how traditional thoughts and practices can be a hindrance to social progress and individual freedom. Through the main character’s descent into madness, Xun critiques the Confucian social order and the proverbial ‘eating’ of one’s moral and physical self by adherence to outdated ideologies. By challenging these traditional texts and exposing their potential for aversive influence, Lu Xun carved a new path in literature, advocating for reform and modernization to better reflect and serve contemporary societal needs and values.