Background
The Water Margin describes Ruan Xiaowu as a man with eyes resembling bells, arms like iron staffs and a tattoo of a leopard on his chest. Although Ruan Xiaowu always wears a smile on his face, one can detect his murderous advances. His nickname "Short-lived Second Brother" does not imply that he is short-lived. Rather, it means that his enemies are short-lived when they meet him and his murderous smile.
Ruan Xiaowu is the second oldest of the three Ruan brothers (Ruan Xiaoer, himself and Ruan Xiaoqi). The brothers live in Shijie Village, Shandong, and earn a living by fishing on the river.
Read more about this topic: Ruan Xiaowu
Famous quotes containing the word background:
“Pilate with his question “What is truth?” is gladly trotted out these days as an advocate of Christ, so as to arouse the suspicion that everything known and knowable is an illusion and to erect the cross upon that gruesome background of the impossibility of knowledge.”
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)
“... every experience in life enriches one’s background and should teach valuable lessons.”
—Mary Barnett Gilson (1877–?)
“In the true sense one’s native land, with its background of tradition, early impressions, reminiscences and other things dear to one, is not enough to make sensitive human beings feel at home.”
—Emma Goldman (1869–1940)