“Cricket” is a short story from the collection Strange Tales from Liaozhai by the Qing Dynasty writer Pu Songling. Through a story about a cricket, it profoundly reflects the hardships of life and social injustice endured by the lower classes in feudal society.
Story Summary:
The story takes place during the Xuande era of the Ming Dynasty, when cricket fighting became a popular pastime in the imperial court. Every year, crickets were required as tribute from all regions to the palace. In one county, there was a minor clerk named Cheng Ming who had repeatedly failed the imperial examinations and lived in poverty. Local officials, eager to curry favor with their superiors, pushed the task of finding high-quality crickets down the chain of command until it fell upon Cheng Ming. Despite searching everywhere, Cheng Ming repeatedly failed to find a suitable cricket and was even subjected to corporal punishment, finding himself nearly at his wits’ end. Later, with the help of a sorceress, Cheng Ming finally found an exceptional cricket. However, his son accidentally killed this cricket and, terrified, jumped into a well. Though he was saved, he became mentally impaired. In utter despair, Cheng Ming’s son’s spirit transformed into a small cricket. This cricket not only helped Cheng Ming complete his task but also achieved great victories in cricket fights. Cheng Ming was consequently rewarded handsomely and promoted.
Allegorical Meaning
Critique of the Feudal Bureaucracy:
“Cricket” exposes the corruption within the feudal bureaucratic system. From the emperor down to local officials and then to the common people, the entire chain revolved around satisfying the demands of those above, forcing the lower classes to bear immense pressure and suffering. This systemic problem ensnares even seemingly insignificant individuals like Cheng Ming, leaving them with no escape.
Praise for Human Resilience:
Despite facing extreme adversity, Cheng Ming and his family display remarkable resilience. Particularly Cheng Ming’s son, though suffering misfortune, transforms into a cricket to help his father, embodying the power of familial love and the spirit of individual struggle against overwhelming odds.
Reflection of Social Reality:
By depicting the family tragedy caused by a mere cricket, the story reflects the harshness and helplessness of life for the grassroots at that time. It is not merely a story about an insect, but a microcosm of the era’s issues like wealth disparity and the abuse of power.
Use of Supernatural Elements:
The story incorporates supernatural elements, such as the plot point where Cheng Ming’s son’s spirit becomes a cricket. This serves not only the needs of the plot but also symbolizes a force transcending reality, suggesting that hope can still exist even in the darkest times.
In summary, “Cricket” is far more than a simple folktale. Through its depiction of the fate of a small individual, it delves deeply into the various ills of feudal society, while simultaneously expressing the author’s belief in the inherent goodness of humanity. This story serves as a reminder to pay attention to social justice and fairness and to cherish genuine human connections.
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