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Analysis of the Imagery of Pathways and Wreaths in 'Medicine'
Sample essay analyzing the imagery of Pathways and Wreaths in 'Medicine'
Written Assignment
The author vividly portrays the image of the pathway leading to this cemetery: a narrow, winding trail in the middle, formed by those who frequently took shortcuts, eventually evolving into a defined path. On one side lie the graves of the fallen, on the other, the graves of the poor. This dirt path symbolizes a detrimental habit turned routine, a natural boundary separating revolutionary figures like Ha Du from the masses, like the family of Hoa Thuyen, including Khang, Nam Gu... Not only do they live apart, but even in death, they remain distinguished by that narrow, winding path. The wreath on Ha Du's grave - both mothers are astonished to see a wreath: 'white and red flowers arranged on the grave in a charming way...
+ Ha Du's actions have compelled people to think seriously. With the wreath, Lo Tan expresses respect and condolences for the pioneering revolutionary. At the same time, he also conveys his appreciation for the revolutionary cause.
+ Clearly, the wreath on Ha Du's grave aims to affirm a historical and revolutionary truth: In the bewildering and paralyzed state of the masses back then, there were still those who remembered, mourned, admired, and were determined to follow the example of the pioneering revolutionary who fell for the greater cause. The wreath represents the revolutionary trend, the optimism towards revolutionary predecessors. The wreath in the story 'Medicine' is a premonition of a stormy path, a spark today that will signal a blaze tomorrow!
+ Wreath on Hạ Du's Grave: The wreath can be seen as the stark opposite of the 'blood-soaked dumpling.' Rejecting the symbolism of medicine embodied in the blood-soaked dumpling, the author dreams of discovering a new remedy – one that heals not just physical ailments but also societal mental illnesses. The prerequisite being that people must awaken to the revolution and understand the 'meaning of sacrifice' of the revolutionaries.
+ The detailed depiction of the wreath on Hạ Du's grave allows for the complete expression of the new work's ideological theme. This contributes to the originally somber and dark atmosphere of the story, yet what the author presents to the readers is not a pessimistic ideology. The image of graves resembling the dumplings of the wealthy during a birthday celebration. This cemetery is Cổ Hiên Ðình Khẩu Cemetery – where the poor like Thuyên and revolutionary activists like Hạ Du are buried. The author compares the graves at the Cổ Thiên Ðình Khẩu Cemetery to dumplings of the wealthy during a birthday celebration.
Firstly, filled with compassion: many dead (dead due to backwardness, obscurity) Secondly, this is a very deep and painful comparison, carrying a strongly accusatory meaning. This comparison also creates a stark contrast to highlight the greed and cruelty of the ruling class. Those lying under these graves like Thuyên and Hạ Du are all young, died prematurely, died weak. Yet their graves are compared to the dumplings of the wealthy, living long lives during a birthday celebration. One side is death in youth, death in weakness, and the other is celebrating a long life. That is a complete contradiction. From this, the author accuses the crimes of the ruling class: living luxuriously, living comfortably on the bones and blood of the poor and revolutionary soldiers. Thirdly, criticizing the Chinese people's blind obsession with politics, unable to distinguish right from wrong. They have let Hạ Du's grave be shared with those who died in robbery.
+ Artistic Progression in the story: Advances from the autumn when Hạ Du was executed to the spring in the clear weather of the following year when the two mothers visit their child's grave. The deaths of their two children are like leaves falling from a branch to fertilize the soil for a hopeful spring... forecasting a brighter future for the Chinese revolution. The artistic time in the story 'Medicine' moves from autumn to spring, from the time the prisoner was executed, Thuyên went mad and died, to the clear weather of the Qingming Festival. On Hạ Du's grave, there is a wreath, Thuyên and other graves have 'a few small flowers, white, green,' and on the willow branch, 'sprouts as big as half a grain of rice' have sprouted. It is the green sprouts of the hopeful spring, promising a warmer tomorrow.
- Short Story Summary of 'Medicine'
- Analysis of 'Medicine' by Lỗ Tấn
