Diary of a Madman

“If they’re capable of eating people, who’s to say they won’t eat me?”

The “madman” realizes that he is in danger and that his position in society will not protect him; this generates paranoia. At the same time, if cannibalism exists and is prevalent in the “madman’s” society, it is rational to fear it. It is possible that the same fears exist in the minds of the other villagers, but they are either too scared to voice them or have been conditioned by society to remain silent.

“There were no dates in this history, bur scrawled this way and that across every page were the words BENEVOLENCE, RIGHTEOUSNESS, and MORALITY. Since I couldn’t go to sleep anyway, I read that history carefully for most of the night, and finally I began to make out what was written between the lines; the whole volume was filled with a single phrase: EAT PEOPLE!”

As the “madman” scours history books for examples of cannibalism, he first encounters moral platitudes that flaunt the justice of the social system. Upon closer investigation, however, he realizes that underlying this supposed just system is the practice of eating people. This passage symbolizes the inherent violence and domination in a system purported to be righteous.

“Even though I’m to be a victim of cannibalism, I’m brother to a cannibal all the same!”

Throughout the story, the “madman” realizes that cannibalism is not limited to a few villagers in the present but is prevalent both in history and all around him. The realization that his own brother is a participant in cannibalism shocks the “madman” and forces him to examine who is truly involved.

“The [hyena] is kin to the wolf. The wolf’s a relative of the dog, and just a few days ago the Zhao family dog gave me a funny look. It’s easy to see he’s in on it too.”

The “madman” makes the symbolic connection between the barbarity of his own society and wild animals. The hyena and wolf devour flesh, so too can a dog revert to its savage nature. This quote exemplifies the challenges of distinguishing between those who are cannibals and those who are “civilized.”

“If I’m going to curse cannibals I’ll have to start with [Elder Brother]. And if I’m going to convert cannibals, I’ll have to start with him too.”

The madman, seeing barbaric practices all around him, decides that perhaps the cannibals can change. His brother becomes the first target of his efforts. This quote symbolizes the efforts of activists to instill change in an unjust world. At this point, the “madman” believes that if he can show people the injustice around them, then he can convince them to change and improve society.

“‘Maybe they are, but it’s always been that way, it’s—’

‘Just because it’s always been that way, does that make it right?’

‘I’m not going to discuss such things with you. If you insist on talking about that, then you’re the one who’s in the wrong.’”

As the “madman” discusses the phenomenon of cannibalism with a young stranger, the stranger tries to dismiss the practice by claiming that it has always been thus. The “madman” pushes the issue. This quote demonstrates that some people, especially those invested in a system, will resist change as much as possible by ignoring the problem. If they are unable to avoid confronting the issue, then they will try to justify its existence with history or tradition.

“He was far younger than my elder brother, and yet he was actually one of them. It must be because his mom and dad taught him that way. And he’s probably already passed it on to his own son. No wonder that even the children give me murderous looks.”

As the stranger dismisses the “madman’s” pleas for reform, the “madman” questions how he came to be this way. The “madman” decides that the stranger must have learned his apathy toward injustice from his parents; he laments that the stranger will likely go on to teach the same apathy to his own children. This quote demonstrates the cyclical manner of apathy and injustice within a social system.

“They want to eat others and at the same time they’re afraid that other people are going to eat them. That’s why they’re watching each other with suspicious looks in their eyes.”

The “madman” notices that he is not the only potential victim of cannibalism. Everyone in the system—the villagers, the old, the young, rich and poor, just and unjust—are living in fear. The system creates a system of mutual distrust among the villagers.

“It’s probably the case that primitive peoples all ate some human flesh. But later on, because their ways of thinking changed, some gave up the practice and tried their best to improve themselves; they kept on changing until they became human beings, real human beings. But others didn’t; they just kept right on with their cannibalism and stayed at that primitive level. You see the same thing with evolution in the animal world.”

The “madman” argues that social progress is possible. Just as evolution allows animals to become more effective at survival, making improvements as individuals is conducive to a more fair and prosperous society. Humans must transcend their “primitive” ways (such as their reliance on cannibalism) if they hope to create a more just system.

“You’re going to tell me it can’t be done! Elder brother, I think you’re very likely to say that. When that tenant wanted to reduce his rent the day before yesterday, wasn’t it you who said it couldn’t be done?”

This quote makes an explicit connection between the symbol of cannibalism and larger systems of social injustice. The elder brother is presented as a staunch supporter of Confucianism and social order. Here we see his inability or unwillingness to change unjust systems, this time through economic exploitation of tenant farmers.

“I also realized that [the cannibals] didn’t all think the same way. Some thought it’s always been like this and that they really should eat human flesh. Others knew they shouldn’t but went right on doing it anyway, always on the lookout for fear that someone might give them away.”

The “madman” realizes that while his society does cannibalize its own, the individuals do not participate in cannibalism for the same reasons. Some unthinkingly support the practice, for they know no better, while others desire change but are unable to do anything: Both parties perpetuate the system.

“You can change! You can change from the bottom of your hearts! You ought to know that in the future they’re not going to allow cannibalism in the world anymore. If you don’t change, you’re going to devour each other anyway. And even if a lot of you are left, a real human being’s going to come along and eradicate the lot of you, just like a hunter getting rid of wolves – or reptiles!”

The “madman” exhorts the villagers to change their ways, warning them that the world around them is changing and their barbaric ways will no longer be tolerated. This quote may be extrapolated to China’s position in the early 20th century as it struggled to adapt to a new a modern world.

“Elder brother told me that when parents are ill, a son, in order to be counted as a really good person, should slice off a piece of his own flesh, boil it, and let them eat it.”

Elder brother yet again is shown to be an adherent of the social system, this time by showing his willingness to be eaten himself. This quote demonstrates the power of a social system to indoctrinate individuals to willingly accept their fate not only as inevitable but as a social good. Elder brother believes it is his duty to be eaten.