Description
http://www.csun.edu/~rdavids/150sp09/150readings/Mishima_Patriotism.pdf
Questions
- How do you understand Mishima’s dedication and nostalgia for an idealized Japanese past from reading the first two chapters of Patriotism (you can answer this question even if you know little about Japanese history by looking at the way he represents traditional Japanese values such as loyalty and honor)? Give one or two examples from the text that help demonstrate what you understand.
- Find a passage that best expresses Mishima’s intertwining of sex (desire) and death, and analyze it for meaning. What imagery, symbolism, descriptors does he use?
- Choose a passage that describes a ritual element of Shinji and Reiko’s suicide, and analyze what you think Mishima is trying to convey with his depiction.
- Which of the two characters do you find most compelling (interesting)? Explain why?
- What is your favorite quote? Why?
Explanation & Answer
Attached.
Running head: PATRIOTISM
1
Patriotism
Student’s name:
Institutional affiliation:
PATRIOTISM
2
Patriotism
1. How do you understand Mishima’s dedication and nostalgia for an idealized
Japanese past from reading the first two chapters of Patriotism (you can answer this
question even if you know little about Japanese history by looking at the way he
represents traditional Japanese values such as loyalty and honor)? Give one or two
examples from the text that help demonstrate what you understand.
The author shows vehement nostalgia for the past-idealized Japan by indicating that all
the things that occurred between Reiko and Shinji had a moral basis. The author indicates that
the marriage processes occurred according to the Education Rescripts injunction, which indicates
that husband and wife should be harmonious. As such, they worked together and honored one
another, living happily for all the months they were married. Another incident that shows the
author’s determination and excitement with the ancient Japanese traditions is the willful suicide
the lieutenant and his wife decided to endure for the sake of avoiding trouble. The lieutenant
sacrificed his life because he was loyal and wanted to be honored even in death. This revelation,
together with the fact that the wife was compelled to die as an honor to her husband shows that
ancient Japanese culture demanded and developed individuals with great loyalty and honor.
2. Find a passage that best expresses Mishima’s intertwining of sex (desire) and death,
and analyze it for meaning. What imagery, symbolism, and descriptors does he use?
The best passage that expresses the author’s intertwining of sex and death is on page
(113) and indicates that,
The moment the lieutenant thrust the sword into his left side and she saw the deathly
pallor fall across his face, like an abrupt lowered curtain, Reiko had to struggle to prevent
PATRIOTISM
3
herself from rushing to his side. Whatever happe...
Review
Review
