Camel Xiangzi mind map

"Camel Xiangzi" is a novel written by the people's artist Lao She (Shu Qingchun, 1899-1966). It describes the tragic fate of rickshaw pullers during the warlord war in the 1920s. Xiangzi is a representative figure of the working people in the old society.

Edited at 2020-02-27 10:53:24

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Camel Xiangzi mind map

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Outline

"Camel Xiangzi"

classic event

Angry speech to Yang Zhai, the Cao family in danger, the origin of the nickname, having no choice but to marry Huniu, etc.

Main point

"Camel Xiangzi" reveals the tragic fate of the people at the bottom of semi-colonial and semi-feudal Chinese society through the story of the rickshaw puller "Xiangzi" who had many ups and downs in his life and finally fell. Xiangzi's experience proves that it is simply impossible for the working people in the semi-colonial and semi-feudal era to change their situation through their own hard work and personal struggle.

writing background

In 1936, a friend of Lao She's from Shandong University talked about his experience and knowledge of hiring a rickshaw driver: A rickshaw driver bought a "foreign rickshaw" and then sold it soon after. After three ups and downs, he was still poor in the end. At that time, Lao She felt that the subject could be turned into a novel. Because Lao She was born in a poor citizen family, he had been in contact with the lower class people since he was a child, and had a deeper understanding of the living conditions and psychology of the working people. All of this provided a source of materials for Lao She to create "Camel Xiangzi". Lao She's friend then told the story of another coachman who was captured by the army, but unexpectedly turned disaster into blessing and took back three camels while the army was moving. This is the prototype of the story "Camel Xiangzi". Lao She decided to combine the camel and the driver, and use the camel to introduce the protagonist Xiangzi. Lao She placed Xiangzi in Peiping, a place he was familiar with. In the spring and summer of 1936, Lao She collected materials obsessively and constantly polished Xiangzi's image. There was a student unrest in Shandong University. Lao She resigned from his teaching position and devoted himself to the writing of "Luotuo Xiangzi". In January 1937, the novel was serialized in "Cosmic Wind".

Artistic features

1. Compact structure and careful writing.

2. Rich, varied and delicate psychological descriptions

3. Distinctive “Beijing flavor”

Xiangzi fell

"Three ups and three downs"

Together: I came to Peiping to work as a rickshaw puller. I worked hard for three years and scraped together 100 yuan to buy a new rickshaw. One fall: He was arrested by the military police and his car to be a young man, his ideal was shattered for the first time. Second episode: Selling camels, working hard to pull a cart, scrimping and saving money to buy a new cart. Erluo: When he was working on a monthly contract, Detective Sun defrauded Xiangzi of all the money he had worked so hard to save, and his hopes were shattered for the second time. Three incidents: Huniu bought Xiangzi’s neighbor Er Qiangzi’s car at a low price, and Xiangzi had a car again. Sanluo: In order to arrange for Huniu’s funeral, Xiangzi sold the car again.

"Destiny Trilogy"

Spiritually upward - not willing to fail - willing to fall

Character image

Xiangzi - Xiangzi comes from the countryside. He is honest, strong and persevering, just like a camel. He has a strong self-esteem, endures hardships and stands hard work, and relies on his own strength to earn a living. But in the end, after experiencing three ups and downs, Xiangzi had lost confidence in life. He has become a numb, down-and-out, cunning, advantage-loving, food-drinking, whoring-gambling, self-destructive walking zombie. Huniu - a fierce and somewhat psychopathic middle-aged woman with a masculine personality who is very good at taking care of things and managing people and the car factory in an orderly manner. Mr. Liu, a figure in the old society, started a car factory from a good start. He was an upright man with a strong personality and never wanted to lose face in the field. Mr. Cao - an ordinary teacher who loves traditional art. Because he believes in socialism, he is kind to others and is considered a "sage" by Xiangzi. Gao Ma - a kind-hearted and strong-willed old woman who is willing to help others. She has experienced misfortune and learned how to live at the bottom of the old society. She has her own ideas and often enlightens Xiangzi and teaches him how to settle accounts. She is a person that Xiangzi admires very much. Xiao Ma'er's grandfather - he is a coachman who wants to be strong all his life, but in the end he can't even save his little grandson. Only one step away from death. Xiao Fuzi - a kind and sad character, the person Xiangzi likes, but he leads to destruction step by step, leaving us with only deep sympathy and infinite thinking. Erqiangzi - a self-destructive coachman.

Question meaning

1. Point out the protagonist: Xiangzi

2. Summarize a main plot of the story: the origin of the title Luotuo Xiangzi

3. Reveal the character of the protagonist: like a camel, hardworking, silent and honest

Type of novel

Chinese modern novels

main content

It tells the poignant story of Xiangzi, a rickshaw puller in the old city of Beijing, who experienced three rises and three falls. It profoundly exposes the darkness of the old society, accuses the ruling class of exploiting and oppressing workers, expresses the author's deep sympathy for the working people, and conveys to people It shows the picture of the poor citizens at the bottom of Peiping living in an abyss of pain under the warlords' melee and dark rule.

author

Lao She (February 3, 1899 - August 24, 1966), male, formerly known as Shu Qingchun, courtesy name Sheyu, was born in Beijing. Modern novelist and dramatist. In 1951, he won the title of "People's Artist". He is the author of the novels "Camel Xiangzi" and "Four Generations Under One Roof", and the dramas "Teahouse" and "Longxugou", etc.