This paper explores the mechanism behind the emergence of the writer "Lu Xun," marked by the publication of "A Madman's Diary" in Volume 4, Issue 5 of New Youth in 1918. The focus is on examining the journey of Zhou Shuren, a student studying in Japan, towards becoming the writer "Lu Xun" through the lens of reading history and the genesis of the text. It posits that the seven-plus years from April 1902 to August 1909 were crucial in transforming Zhou Shuren into the future Lu Xun. During this period, Zhou Shuren learned Japanese and German, acquiring modern knowledge mainly through these two languages. By translating and reconstructing this knowledge into his native language, he forged a new personal identity that would become the core of the future Lu Xun. The paper centers on Zhou Shuren's writings and translations during his time in Japan, examining various aspects such as evolutionary theory, national character, individualism, and a literary perspective centered on the concept of "establishing individuals," to reveal how Zhou Shuren came to create "A Madman's Diary."
Keywords Zhou Shuren, Lu Xun, Evolutionary Theory, National Character, Individualism
