My Old Home – Essay Questions

 

<🟢 1. Describe the narrator's visit to his old home. How does the story present nostalgia, social change, and the pain of separation?

My Old Home is a touching short story by Lu Hsun that narrates the author's visit to his ancestral home after an absence of more than twenty years. The visit awakens memories of his happy childhood but also makes him realise how greatly time and society have changed both people and places.
The narrator returns to his village during late winter. As he approaches his old home, he is saddened by the gloomy landscape, deserted villages, and lifeless surroundings. The beautiful home he had treasured in his memory now appears dull and neglected. He has come only to bid farewell because the ancestral house has been sold, and his family is preparing to move to another town where he works. His mother welcomes him warmly, but she too feels sorrow at leaving the family home forever.
While staying there, the narrator recalls his childhood memories, especially his friendship with Jun-tu. His memories of playing together near the seashore, listening to Jun-tu's stories, and enjoying the freedom of childhood stand in sharp contrast to the harsh reality he now witnesses. He also meets Mrs. Yang, whose greed and selfishness reveal how poverty has affected human character.
When the narrator finally leaves by boat, he realises that not only the old house but also his childhood has disappeared forever. The emotional farewell symbolises the loss of innocence and the passing of time. Yet, despite his sadness, he looks forward with hope for a better future. Thus, the story beautifully combines nostalgia, social criticism, and optimism, making it a memorable reflection on life and human relationships.>

<🟢 2. Describe the friendship between the narrator and Jun-tu. How does Lu Hsun use their relationship to expose social inequality?

The friendship between the narrator and Jun-tu forms the emotional centre of My Old Home. Through their relationship, Lu Hsun highlights the destructive effects of poverty, class differences, and social inequality.
The narrator first meets Jun-tu during an ancestral festival. Jun-tu is the son of a part-time labourer working for the narrator's family. Though they belong to different social classes, they become close friends. Jun-tu introduces the narrator to the wonders of nature by telling him about catching birds, collecting shells, guarding watermelon fields, and hunting the mysterious zha. His courage, intelligence, and cheerful nature leave a deep impression on the narrator. Their friendship is innocent, genuine, and free from social barriers.
After twenty years, the narrator eagerly looks forward to meeting his childhood friend again. However, he is shocked by the transformation. Jun-tu has become a poor, tired, and worn-out farmer. Poverty, heavy taxes, poor harvests, and family responsibilities have crushed his spirit. Instead of calling the narrator "Brother Hsun," he respectfully addresses him as "Master." This single word painfully reminds the narrator that society has built an invisible wall between them. Their childhood equality has disappeared under the burden of class differences.
The narrator feels deeply saddened by this change and hopes that the next generation, represented by Hung-er and Shui-sheng, will not face such divisions. Through the friendship of the two boys, Lu Hsun criticises an unequal society while expressing hope for a future based on equality, friendship, and mutual understanding.>

<🟢 3. "My Old Home is not merely a story about returning home but a powerful social criticism that ends with a message of hope." Discuss.

Lu Hsun's My Old Home is much more than a nostalgic story about revisiting one's childhood home. It is a powerful criticism of the social inequalities, poverty, and divisions that existed in Chinese society, while also offering hope for a better future.
Throughout the story, Lu Hsun contrasts the narrator's happy childhood memories with the harsh realities of adult life. The old home has become deserted, and childhood friendships have faded. Jun-tu, once a lively and adventurous boy, has become an exhausted farmer struggling against poverty, taxes, famine, and exploitation. His respectful address, "Master," reveals the deep class divisions that now separate him from his childhood friend.
The character of Mrs. Yang further exposes the moral decline caused by poverty. Once admired for her beauty, she has become greedy, suspicious, and selfish. Through these contrasting characters, Lu Hsun shows how difficult social conditions affect both human relationships and individual character.
Despite these painful realities, the story ends on an optimistic note. The narrator hopes that Hung-er and Shui-sheng will grow up without social barriers and enjoy a life free from the suffering experienced by their elders. He concludes with the famous idea that hope is like a road across the earth. A road is created only when many people walk together. Similarly, hope becomes meaningful only when people work together to create a better society. This memorable conclusion transforms the story from a tale of personal loss into an inspiring message about social change, equality, and the power of hope.>

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