The Passer-by by Lu Xun: Summary and Theme

The Passer-by by Lu Xun: Summary and Theme

The Passer-by is a short one-act play written by Lu Xun, one of China’s most famous writers. The play has only three characters: an old man, a girl, and a passer-by. The setting is late afternoon near a lonely hut in a quiet, empty place.

The story is simple with little action. The old man asks the girl for help to get inside the hut. While they talk, a passer-by arrives. He looks like a wandering hermit or jogi — he is thirsty, possibly hungry, and has a bleeding wounded foot. The passer-by doesn’t know where he came from or where he is going. His journey has no clear end, only ongoing movement.

The girl offers the passer-by a cup of water. He drinks and prepares to continue walking, still unsure of his destination. This shows the loneliness of life and the feeling that there may be no final place to reach.

Theme

The main theme of The Passer-by is a critique of the corrupt and decaying society during Lu Xun’s time. The passer-by expresses his weariness with the materialistic and hypocritical world around him. He says he must keep moving because returning means facing a world full of celebrities, landlords, cruelty, forced expulsions, fake smiles, and false tears. He hates the insincerity and pain caused by these people and refuses their pity or charity.

The girl offers to bandage his bleeding foot with a piece of cloth, but he declines, thanking her for her kindness. The passer-by then limps away into the wilderness, avoiding the cruel world he despises.

Summary of the Play’s Message

The play highlights the tyranny and injustice that existed in society during China’s pre-revolutionary period. While the rich and powerful enjoyed wealth and luxury, the poor faced expulsions, oppression, and hardship. The old man and the passer-by represent those who reject this materialistic and cruel society and choose to avoid it instead.

Focus Keyphrases:

• The Passer-by summary

• Lu Xun one-act play

• Theme of The Passer-by

• Corrupt society in Lu Xun’s time

• Chinese pre-revolution social issues