The Tragicomedy of Clowns, Spectators and Loners - A Comparison of the Clowns in the Works of Lu Xun and Mu Shiying

Abstract: Lu Xun and Mu Shiying have created a series of images with the characteristics of clowns. The difference is that the characters in Mu Shiying’s works are self-conscious and use clowns as masks to cover up their loneliness and fear. While, in Lu Xun’s works, most of the clowns are involuntarily. They practice their life philosophy seriously, however, are regarded as clowns and lunatics because they are incompatible with the surrounding environment. From an individual point of view, Mu Shiying describes the helplessness of urban people wearing a happy mask on their sad faces, and embraces the clowns’ performances. On the other hand, Lu Xun, from the macroscopic view of criticizing this national character, was keenly aware of the hidden worries behind the clowns’ performances and held the attitude of rejecting them.