Fragile Hope in Autumns Shadow | Generated by AI
This question is about the symbolism in Lu Xun’s essay “Autumn Night” (《秋夜》), a famous piece of modern Chinese literature.
The Question
You’re asked what the “small pink flowers” symbolize in the text, and you correctly chose C.
The Symbolism
The small pink flowers represent the weak and oppressed who still harbor hope despite being trampled upon.
Context from the Text
In “Autumn Night,” Lu Xun describes these delicate pink flowers shivering in the cold autumn night, dreaming their dreams. This imagery serves several purposes:
- Vulnerability: The flowers are fragile, exposed to harsh conditions
- Persistence of hope: Despite the cold and adversity, they still dream
- Suffering: They’re being “trampled” or “crushed” by circumstances
- Sympathy: Lu Xun expresses deep compassion for these weak beings
Why the Other Options Don’t Fit
- A (those who sacrifice their lives pursuing light) - This better describes the jujube tree in the essay, which stands tall and defiant
- B (tenacious, fearless fighters) - Again, this fits the jujube tree’s symbolism, not the fragile flowers
- D (the destroyers of life and beauty) - This would be the oppressive forces, not the flowers themselves
The small pink flowers are quintessentially symbols of the vulnerable in society - those who suffer but haven’t lost all hope, deserving of our sympathy and protection.