Why does the Kong Yiji story still resonate with thousands of netizens today?

The passage "Education is not only a stepping stone, but also a high platform that I can't get off, and it's also a gown that Kong Yiji can't take off" which compares education to a high platform and a gown that Kong Yiji cannot take off, resonates with many people because it highlights the complex relationship between education and social status. This relationship is a recurring theme in Lu Xun's works, and it is particularly evident in the story of Kong Yiji. It reflects the ongoing struggle faced by many individuals in balancing their social status and education with their personal identity and values.

One reason why the story of Kong Yiji continues to resonate with tens of thousands of netizens a century later is that it highlights the struggles of the marginalized. Kong Yiji is a failed scholar who is forced to resort to street performance to survive. His struggles with poverty and social exclusion are still relevant today, and many people can relate to his experiences.

Also the passage about education being both a stepping stone and a high platform highlights the paradoxical nature of education in contemporary society. While education is often viewed as a means of social mobility and upward mobility, it can also become a burden or source of pressure for those who have attained it. This pressure to maintain a certain level of social status and success can create a sense of entrapment or limitation, similar to Kong Yiji's inability to take off his gown.

Another reason why the story of Kong Yiji continues to resonate is that it challenges societal norms around class and social status. Kong Yiji's refusal to take off his long gown, even when it hinders his ability to buy food and drink, challenges the idea that one's clothing and social status are inseparable. This message still resonates with many people who feel constrained by societal expectations and norms.

Finally, the story of Kong Yiji resonates because it features powerful storytelling. Lu Xun's ability to convey complex emotions and social issues through his characters and setting has made "Kong Yiji" a classic work of literature. Its simple, direct language and vivid imagery make it a powerful piece of storytelling that still resonates with many people today.

Overall, the enduring popularity of the story of Kong Yiji can be attributed to its exploration of the complex relationship between education and social status, its challenge to societal norms around class and clothing, its powerful storytelling, and its portrayal of the struggles of the marginalized.  These themes are still relevant today, and many people can relate to the feelings of pride, fear, and entrapment portrayed in Lu Xun's work.