Abstract
Existing research on Lu Xun's Old Stories Retold has mainly focused on two aspects: what is written and how it is written. Little attention has been paid to the analysis of the denotation and connotation of linguistic representation, which is the medium of narrative, in Lu Xun's writing in Old Stories Retold. “Gathering Ferns” portrays Boyi and Shuqi as two “stupid ox” figures who believe in and practice the denotative meanings of ancient Chinese books, and are thus caught in a double dilemma of language and body. Old Stories Retold also seeks to reveal the formalized features of the denotative meanings in the linguistic representation of the “rich and powerful” and the “clever people”. The connection between denotation and connotation is not affected by change in time and space, or in social position and identity. Lu Xun also directly uncovers the false mask of the denotative linguistic representation of “rich and powerful” and the “clever people” through the mouths of the fools from his book. Most protagonists of Old Stories Retold, including Nüwa, Yi, Yu, Heiseren, Meijianchi, and Mozi, bear the task of resisting meaning through action. They do not speak of the names of things, but act upon them. The resistance of meaning is also manifested in Lu Xun's prediction and analysis of the possible destiny of his own writings in the future meaning production.
Keywords
Lu Xun, Old Stories Retold, denotation, connotation, analysis
First Page
42
Last Page
49
Recommended Citation
Cao, Qinghua. 2026. "An Analysis of Denotation and Connotation: Contribution of Lu Xun's Old Stories Retold." Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art 46, (2): pp.42-49. https://tsla.researchcommons.org/journal/vol46/iss2/4
