Man's Fate, written by André Malraux in 1933, is a novel set in Shanghai in 1926 detailing the struggles of both revolutionaries and ordinary people to overthrow the existing Chinese government and embrace the philosophical principles of anarchy and communism. Throughout the novel, characters discuss the values of individual freedom, the fate of man and the inevitability of chaos; these thematic elements all contribute to the novel's portrayal of a tumultuous era in Chinese history.
The novel kicks off in the aftermath of a failed revolution, with the protagonist, Ch'en Ta Erh, a member of the Chinese Communist Party, in prison awaiting the death sentence. While in prison, Ch'en meets fellow revolutionary Kyo Gisors, and the pair bond over their shared interest in anarchism and Marxism. As the novel progresses, Ch'en comes to learn more about Kyo's views and motivations.
Meanwhile, Kyo meets fellow revolutionary and mentor Gisors, a former French activist, and develops an appreciation of the revolutionary ideals and how they can be applied to China. He meets with Gisors and his new friends to discuss the fall of the existing Chinese regime, the need for revolution and the importance of ideological purity. As the novel progresses, these new friends act as motivators, inspiring Kyo to slowly embrace and take ownership of his place as a revolutionary.
At the same time, Ch'en decides to accept his fate of execution but his last wish is to die for a cause. This causes him to become more determined as he continues to fight for the success of the movement.
The novel takes a break from its political themes when Ch'en and his fellow prisoners are asked for their opinion about the American intervention in Shanghai. Most prisoners voice their disapproval of the intervention but Ch'en suggests more nuanced view, launching into an impassioned speech about the need for America to help Chinese revolutionaries obtain weapons.
As the novel progress, Ch'en and Kyo's mutual admiration for one another deepens and the pair quickly becomes close friends, despite their different ideologies. Kyo's anarchist views begin to inspire Ch'en, who begins to see that ideology is not the only aspect of revolution, but also its necessity. Kyo's abandonment of his philosophical purity begins to symbolize Ch'en's own journey to understanding the power of true revolution by embracing chaos and the unpredictability of fate.
The novel ends with Ch'en's execution, after which Ch'en's fellow revolutionaries honor him as a martyr and continue to fight for revolution in China. Ch'en's last words serve as a reminder that Gisors' ideas will remain present: "It was necessary for me to die that it might be known where I have fallen, for it is here I have planted the seed."
Man's Fate by Andre Malraux is an affecting and thought-provoking portrayal of a tumultuous time in Chinese politics. Through his characters, Malraux examines the power of ideology, human freedom, and the role of fate in revolution. The novel's idea that death and chaos can provide a way forward to political change makes it a powerful examination of the political and philosophical tensions of the era. Ultimately, Man's Fate is a timeless and inspiring story about the courage of revolutionaries and the importance of making a lasting impact in the world.
