Overview of Lao She's Camel Xiangzi | Generated by AI
Question: Introduce Lao She’s “Camel Xiangzi” in English
Answer:
Camel Xiangzi (original Chinese title: 《骆驼祥子》, Luòtuo Xiángzi) is a famous 1936–1937 novel by the Chinese writer Lao She (老舍). It is widely regarded as one of the masterpieces of modern Chinese literature and one of the most important works depicting the life of ordinary people in Republican-era China.
Main Story Summary
The novel follows the tragic life of Xiangzi, a young, strong, honest, and hardworking rickshaw puller (人力车夫) who comes to Beijing from the countryside with one clear dream: to own his own rickshaw and live a decent, independent life.
The story is roughly divided into three major cycles of hope and despair:
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First rickshaw
Xiangzi works extremely hard, saves money for a long time, and finally buys his own rickshaw. He is full of pride and hope.
→ But soon afterward, the rickshaw is forcibly taken by soldiers. -
Second attempt
He starts again from zero, works even harder, and manages to buy another rickshaw.
→ This time he loses it because of marriage and family pressure (he marries Huniu, the boss’s daughter, against his will). -
Final collapse
After Huniu dies in childbirth, Xiangzi tries one last time to rebuild his life, but he is repeatedly cheated, exploited, and worn down by society.
→ Eventually he loses all hope, gives up on dignity, and degenerates into a listless, selfish, and degenerate person who only cares about small immediate pleasures (smoking, gambling, visiting brothels, etc.).
Core Themes
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Crushing of individual dreams by society
Lao She shows how a good, diligent person can be completely destroyed by an unjust, chaotic, and exploitative social environment. -
The tragedy of the “small person” (小人物)
Xiangzi represents millions of ordinary lower-class Chinese people who want to live with dignity but are powerless against war, poverty, greed, tradition, and corrupt systems. -
Human nature under pressure
The novel realistically portrays how long-term despair can turn an honest and hardworking person into someone cynical, numb, and morally broken.
Famous Lines / Key Symbols
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“I want to live, but I want to live like a human being.”
→ Xiangzi’s deepest wish, which he ultimately fails to achieve. -
The camel in the title
Xiangzi is once called “Camel Xiangzi” because he walks like a camel when carrying heavy loads — slow, stubborn, and enduring. The camel also symbolizes silent suffering and being burdened beyond reason.
Literary Significance
- One of the first major Chinese novels to focus deeply and realistically on an urban lower-class laborer
- Excellent use of Beijing dialect and vivid everyday language
- Considered a classic example of critical realism in 20th-century Chinese literature
- Frequently taught in Chinese middle schools and universities
- Adapted into movies, TV series, plays, and Peking operas many times (the 1955 and 1982 film versions are especially well-known)
In short, Camel Xiangzi is both a moving personal tragedy and a powerful social indictment. It shows how difficult it was for ordinary people to maintain dignity and hope in the chaotic China of the 1920s–1930s.
References:
- None (general literary knowledge; no specific external source used for this overview)