Love-letters and Privacy in Modern China

This book explores three new topics in modern Chinese literary history: the intimate relationship between Lu Xun and Xu Guangping, the role of real and imagined love letters in modern Chinese literature, and the concept of privacy in China. Their scandalous affair is unveiled through letters exchanged from 1925 to 1929. The 1933 publication of these letters, heavily edited, aimed to capitalize on the trend of literary couples sharing their correspondence while also seeking to control their narrative amidst public gossip. Part I, based on unedited letters, uncovers previously overlooked details, such as Xu Guangping's early lesbian tendencies, gender role reversals, her suicide attempts, and Lu Xun's efforts to downplay her political activism. Part II examines Lu Xun's decision to publish the edited letters within the context of contemporary Chinese epistolary fiction. Part III offers unique insights into privacy in modern China by comparing the unedited and edited letters. The textual evidence reveals their intimate secrets, fears of gossip, desire for privacy, and complex views on the tension between public duty and personal interests. This study challenges the notion that Chinese culture lacks a sense of privacy, highlighting its significance in the early twentieth century.