In Lu Xun’s Diary of a Madman, look at the difference between literal and figurative cannibalism in the story. What are some of the ways in the story that people use and abuse other people to get ahead in the world (literally and figuratively)? How is the madman wrong about the world literally, but correct figuratively? How does the humor help the story? How would the story change if the elder brother were telling the story? How does the last entry hold out some hope for the future? After finishing the story, go back and reread the italicized section below the title and before the first entry of the diary. Our madman has supposedly recovered; however, what else could have happened to him?