Dry Snail: A Glimpse into Qian Zhongshu’s Self-Deprecating Humor
Qian Zhongshu, the renowned Chinese literary giant,was known for his sharp wit and self-deprecating humor. In a letter to scholar Wang Rongzu, he referred to himself as a dry hedgehog,a phrase that has puzzled many. However, a closer look at the context and the evolution of the Chinese character suggests that Qian may have actually meant dry snail, offering a poignant reflection on his own perception of aging and isolation.
The letter, dated October 4, 1988, is included in Wang Rongzu’s book The History of the Heart: Qian Zhongshu’s Self and His Microcosm. In it, Qian writes: I have become a dry hedgehog clinging to the wall, not only an old horse that has retired to the stable. The phrase dry hedgehog has been a source ofdebate among scholars, with some interpreting it as a metaphor for Qian’s prickly personality or his sense of detachment from the world.
However, a closer examination of the Chinese character used in the letter reveals a possible misinterpretation. The character used for hedgehog in the original text is 蝟, which is asimplified form of 蝟. While both characters are pronounced the same, the traditional character 蝟 is closer in form to the character for snail, 蝸. This suggests that Qian may have used a cursive form of 蝸 in his letter, which was then mistakenly transcribed as 蝟.
This interpretationis further supported by the fact that Qian himself used the image of a snail in his writing. In his famous novel Fortress Besieged, he described some people as like hedgehogs, huddled together, constantly offending others or being offended, as if they were a bunch of hedgehogs. This suggests that Qianwas familiar with the image of a hedgehog and would have likely chosen it deliberately if he had intended to use it in his letter.
The image of a dry snail carries a different weight than that of a dry hedgehog. While a hedgehog is known for its prickly exterior, a snail is often associated with slowness, fragility, and isolation. This interpretation resonates with Qian’s later years, when he increasingly retreated from public life, focusing on his own intellectual pursuits.
The phrase dry snail can be seen as a poignant reflection on Qian’s own perception of aging and isolation. As a scholar who spent his lifeimmersed in books and ideas, he may have felt a sense of detachment from the world around him. The image of a snail clinging to a wall, dried out and alone, captures this feeling of isolation and vulnerability.
This interpretation is also consistent with Qian’s self-deprecating humor. Throughout his life, he oftenused humor to deflect attention and to express his own anxieties. By referring to himself as a dry snail, he was acknowledging his own limitations and his sense of isolation, while also adding a touch of wry humor to the situation.
The discovery of this possible misinterpretation sheds new light on Qian Zhongshu’s self-perception and his use of language. It also highlights the importance of careful textual analysis and the need to consider the context and the evolution of the Chinese language when interpreting historical documents.
Beyond the linguistic puzzle, Qian’s self-deprecating humor offers a valuable insight into his personality and his relationship with the world. Itreveals a man who was both brilliant and self-aware, capable of both profound insights and a playful sense of self-deprecation.
References:
- Wang Rongzu. (2020). The History of the Heart: Qian Zhongshu’s Self and His Microcosm. Beijing: ZhonghuaBook Company.
- Qian Zhongshu. (1947). Fortress Besieged. Shanghai: Shanghai Literature and Art Publishing House.
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