A-Q is a typical common man; his status is humble, and he lives in the rural society of the late Qing and early Republican periods. Through depicting A-Q’s image and experiences, Lu Xun expresses his criticism of the contemporary Chinese society and his concern for the fate of the common people.
A-Q’s spirit, also known as the “A-Q Spirit,” is interpreted by some as a form of optimism and magnanimity. When A-Q suffers setbacks and oppression, he often uses self-consolation to maintain his self-esteem and confidence. He masks his failures and humiliation through self-deception and self-mockery, enabling him to find a psychological balance amidst adversity.
However, the A-Q Spirit is not genuine optimism and magnanimity, but rather an illusory psychological defense mechanism. A-Q’s optimism is not founded on an objective understanding of himself and social reality, but rather on the illusion of self-deception and self-mockery. This mental state allows him to cope with setbacks to a certain degree, but it simultaneously causes him to lack the motivation to change reality and pursue genuine progress.
Overall, the A-Q Spirit in Lu Xun’s novels is portrayed as a state of self-consolation and self-hypnosis. While it grants A-Q a degree of superficial optimism, it also reveals the plight and helplessness of ordinary people within the social reality. It is not genuine optimism and magnanimity, but rather an escape from reality and an illusory reaction.