Inside and outside the walls, is it all scenery, or is it a cage?
Mr. Qian Zhongshu's "Siege of the City" uses sharp and humorous language to outline a vivid and vivid picture of all beings.
It seems to be a joke of the impetuous society and complex human nature, but in fact, it exposes everyone's inner struggles and dilemmas.
The protagonist Fang Hongji's "siege" is not only caused by the external environment, but also stems from his inner hesitation and uncertainty about the meaning of life.
1. Fang Hongji's "siege": the imbalance between ideal and reality
Fang Hongji, a "returnee" who reads poetry and books but lacks a skill.
He longs for a decent job and sincere and pure love, but the complexity of society and the uncertainty of people's hearts have shattered his illusions again and again.
The study tour in Europe did not add him real skills, but gave him an unrealistic high level, which made him unwilling to follow the trend, but unable to create value in a down-to-earth manner.
The gap between ideals and reality became the fundamental reason why he was trapped in the "siege".
2. The Love Siege of Mirrors: The Phantom of Tang Xiaofu and Sun Roujia
Tang Xiaofu's free and easy romance is like a thorny rose, which attracts Fang Hongji, but it also makes him feel the breath of danger.
The traditional female image represented by Sun Roujia evokes his yearning for a peaceful life, but it also makes him faintly worried about the mediocrity behind this stability.
The two women, like an illusion in the mirror, reflect Fang Hongji's inner contradictions and desires, and finally hurriedly enter the siege of marriage, only to find that everything is just his beautified imagination of love.
3. Workplace siege: embarrassment and helplessness in the cracks
From the infighting at Sanlu University to the design and framing of Zhao Xinlin, Fang Hongji's career journey is full of hidden pitfalls.
He has the pride of a literati, but he does not have the corresponding strength and skill, and he has become an embarrassing existence at a loss.
The rules of society and the darkness of human nature are vividly reflected in the siege of the workplace, and Fang Hong is gradually struggling, compromising, and escaping, and has never been able to find the balance in his heart.
Fourth, the philosophy of life: siege is everywhere, it is better to break through than to introspect
Mr. Qian Zhongshu once said:"Marriage is a besieged city, and those outside the city want to go in, and those who are in the city want to come out. ”
However, isn't life a huge besieged city?
We are trapped in the contradiction between ideals and abilities, in the pull of love and reality, and in the invisible shackles of society.
Blindly pursuing a breakthrough often leads to greater difficulties, and the real liberation lies in a rational examination of oneself and in recognizing one's inner desires and limitations.
Fifth, the immature mind is the cage of life
Sociologist Feng Shizheng believes:"The essence of the siege dilemma is not the shackles of the environment, but the immaturity of the heart. ”
Fang Hong's cowardice and hesitation, his cringe and evasion in the face of choice, are the root of his life's tragedy.
In the midst of the siege, only by learning to accept the imperfect self and dare to take responsibility for the choices can we break free from the prison of the mind.
6. The Inspiration and Meaning of the Story: Finding the meaning of life in the absurd
Under the seemingly absurd story of "The Siege", it is wrapped in a profound life question: how can people find the meaning of existence in the finite and nothing?
From Fang Hongji, we see the plight of intellectuals, and we also see the confusion of ordinary people in the face of choices.
Perhaps, the answer to life is gradually clear in the breakthrough and compromise, loss and gain again and again - no choice is absolutely right, the key is how to maintain self-awareness in the process and live your own wonderful life.
The siege is a dilemma, but also a testing ground.
I hope we can all see the various states of the floating world and our own hearts clearly in Qian Zhongshu's sharpness and humor.
Find the courage to face the siege of life, explore meaning in the absurd, and enrich the heart in the hardship. #
2024 Book of Answers