Summary of My Old Home

Ramji Acharya

Feb 9, 2022

My Old Home Summary

Lu Xun’s “My Old Home”, tells the story of one’s memories, from youth to old age, and the confrontation of the delusions created when memories challenge realities. With the protagonist, Lu Xun’s persona, being away from home for so many years, images of glamour, beauty, and respectability framed his childhood, diluting his memories. Upon arriving at his long-past home, his memories are forced to come to terms with the truth, thereby shattering his prior conceptions and understandings of the world.

“Ah! Surely this was not the old home I had remembered for the past twenty years?” the narrator declared as he stood in front of an old, broken-down home. Having been worn down by weather and inhabitants, alike, the house’s old, perceived, splendour was invisible to the eye, only to be seen in that of the mind. Rationalizing the discrepancy between memory and that standing before him, he tried to convince himself that his “home had always been like this, and although it had not improved, it was not so depressing as imagined; it was only his mood that had changed because he was coming back to the country without illusions”.

Despite his rationalization, it was clear that his memories had deceived him; having transformed his past home into a grand building it had never been, only to be torn down for re-evaluation along with his other assumed childhood memories that had been built into the magnificent illusions.

After recovering from the shock of seeing his old home, he was informed that his old friend, Jun-Tu, would be returning to town to visit him. Over thirty years had passed since the narrator had last seen his friend, Jun-Tu, and at first, memories were scarce. After pausing for a moment, “a strange picture suddenly flashed into his mind”. Stories, ripe from the passing of time, filled the narrator’s mind.

He was full from the fleshy details he recalled, from the glory of his friend, Jun-Tu’s sea-side childhood. Oh, how he wished he could be Jun-Tu. His stories were like candy, appealing to a child and idealized in every way, shape, and form. The narrator could no long wait to reacquaint himself with Jun-Tu; he wanted to hear more of the sea-side glamour. Upon his long-awaited arrival, the narrator was flustered from anticipation. “Jun-Tu stood there, mixed joy and sadness showing on his face. His lips moved, but not a sound did he utter.

Finally, assuming a respectful attitude, he said clearly: “Master! . . .” The narrator’s memories had deceived him once again. Had Jun-Tu not been his friend? Had they not played together and shared stories with one another? As a child, the narrator was unable to understand class differentiation. He remembered, due to his childhood naivety, that his time with Jun-Tu was that of a mutual friendship. This memory grew until it reached utopian standards. Their friendship had been perfect, he had believed.

The narrator’s childhood was shattered. His house was not as it had seemed. Jun-Tu had not even been his equal, living a glorified, sea-side life. Memories had deceived the narrator, blurring truth, ignoring class boundaries, forgetting the power money possessed. How such a divide could form between himself and Jun-Tu, memories and truth were unfathomable to the narrator. The true fickleness of one’s mind and one’s memories, of one’s past, became apparent.

One cannot trust one’s recollections of the past. The mind changes the past, glorifies it, in order to glorify the individual. By seeing himself as Jun-Tu’s equal, the narrator was able to separate himself from the wrongs associated with class differences. His having to face the truth, having to face Jun-Tu, means having to face poverty within China. His memories had provided a means of protection, a way to detach himself from the inequalities Chinese society produced. Only by confronting his memories, by discovering the truth behind the memories, was he able to see the realities of China.

About the Story My Old Home

Genre – Autobiographical

‘My Old Home’ is a story about Xun’s memories, from youth to middle age that depicts the conflict between memories and realities. The story describes how Xun feels while being away from home for many years. Upon arriving at his long-past home, his memories are forced to come to confront with the realities. His prior conceptions and understandings of the world come into conflict with his realities.

Setting

The story took place during the late 19th century in Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China.

Characters

Lu Hsun: The young master who moved out from his old home in order to buy a new home. During his childhood, he befriends with Jun-Tu, a servant, and is fascinated by the stories the latter tells. In order to buy more furniture for the new home, he insists his mother to sell the old ones from the old house. He is considered miserly for he does not want to give away the furniture to the poor.

Jun Tu: A shy yet “high in spirits” servant who used to work for Lu Hsun. His home was near the sea. He soon goes back to his hometown and experiences a rough life. Having man kids, famine and social responsibilities cause him to be wary. He acts as an acquaintance rather than a friend to Lu Hsun when both of them reconciles after 30 years.

Mrs. Yang: A neighbour who sits in a bean curd shop opposite Lu Hsun’s old home. She is one of the poor who visits Lu Hsun’s home and always leaves with a piece of furniture (without paying for it) owned by his family.

Hung erh: Lu Hsun’s shy nephew. He soon befriends Shu Sheng.

Shu Sheng: The 5th son of Jun-Tu. He is very shy and rarely interacts in social occasions. However, he soon opens up towards Hung erh, even inviting the latter to visit his home someday.

Main Summary

The story "My Old Home" is set in the narrator's childhood town in China. The narrator returns to his childhood home and experiences various flashbacks from his youth. He recalls a brief relationship with his family's part-time labourer’s kid, "Jun-to".

He re-meets his forgotten neighbours. The narrator and his mother are selling their stuff since they are relocating. Their departure left the narrator's recollections behind.

The story follows Lu Hsun, a young master who returns home to see his mother and nephew. He quickly remembers his youth, spent with his closest friend and servant, Jun-Tu. Lu Hsun reconciles with his family, including a neighbour, Mrs Yang.

Unexpectedly, Jun Tu, cautious from his hard life at sea, pays a surprise visit to Lu Hsun's house. What happens when geography, time, and societal barriers prevent them from becoming friends? Throughout the story, the narrator recalls previous events in this house.

Many things have changed and are not what the narrator anticipated when he returns as an adult. For example, when the narrator comes home, Jun-tu behaves as if the narrator is his master and has a higher status than him.

The narrator's childhood home was a metaphor in this story. The house is a symbol because it symbolizes the narrator's "old" recollections. Since the family is departing, the narrator will be reminded of the memories associated with the home. The home represents growing up and moving on in life.

In conclusion, the story teaches us the important message about moving on and leaving the past behind. The narrator, Hung-erh, and his mother are on the boat departing their home at the conclusion of the story. As he departed, he realized he was leaving behind memories and even his former house.

Plot

The story follows Lu Hsun, a young master who visits back to his old home and is greeted by his mother and nephew. He soon recalls the memories of his childhood, the time he shared with his best friend and servant, Jun-Tu. Lu Hsun reconciles with his relatives including Mrs Yang, a neighbour who accuses him of being miserly. Unexpectedly, Jun Tu, who has now grown all wary from his tough life at sea, pas a visit to Lu Hsun’s home. What will become of the two when distance, time and social barriers restrict them from being friends again?

The Theme of Story

The author is trying to tell the audience that being humane towards others prevents a treadmill existence. In a friend and friend relationship, one must learn how to put his comrade first. Hsun also highlights the importance of loyalty. Other themes include respect, filial piety and social barriers that stop people from different classes to befriend.

Friend and Friend is the most evident relationship in the story. The friendship that once existed between Lu Hsun and Jun-Tu is a perfect example of Confucian ideal friendship. Lu Hsun learnt many things about the outside world from Jun-Tu while Lu Hsun was one of the very few people to who Jun-Tu can open up. These two soon became inseparable for they treated each other like brothers. Their relationship went beyond a master and servant relationship. It was something mutual, reciprocal and relationship.

However, as time passes, Jun-Tu realizes that they can no longer be friends. He clearly understands that one must fulfil his role depending on his social position. Thus, he treats Lu Hsun as a master by paying ultimate respect and offering the slightest gifts towards Lu Hsun. This is an example of a ruler and subject relationship.

Glossary

li (n.): traditional Chinese unit of distance measuring 1,640 feet
rationalize (v.): attempt to explain or justify with logical reasons, even if these are not appropriate
sacrificial vessels (n.): originally a cauldron for cooking and storing meat. The Shang prototype has a round bowl, set on three legs with two short handles on each side
intercalary (n): a day or month inserted in the calendar to harmonize the solar calendar like 29 February
talisman (n.): an object, typically an inscribed ring or stone, which is thought to have magic powers and to bring good luck
hedgehog (n.): a small nocturnal Old World mammal with a spiny coat and short legs, able to roll itself into a ball for defence
Concubine (n.): mistress; the woman who lives with a man but has lower status than his wife or wives
treadmill (adj.): monotonous or wearisome, giving no satisfaction
stupefied (adj.): astonished
flabbergasted (ad.): Shocked