Adrian Rodriguez Japanese Literature in English Translation B Professor Fujie Kokoro

Recalling our in-class discussion a couple of weeks ago when another student asked whether the narrator was solely a window for us, the readers, to see the story of Sensei unfold, I found it interesting that the entirety of the second section focused on the narrators family life. Though it is true that the involvement/presence of Sensei could still be felt in the events, such as the narrators parents inquiring about post-graduation job prospects, I would say this section confirms that the storys primary focus is on how Senseis past experiences shape and mold the narrators future.

I found it interesting that throughout the novel, it was noted by the translator when some Japanese words that were imported from the English language were used, and . The first word was used when the narrators brother was speaking negatively about people like Sensei who do not utilize their talents for society and keep to themselves privately. I often wonder, not just in relation to the novel but when I come across English or other originally external words assimilated being used in Japanese speech, what the feeling or sense of the word the Japanese using the word has. And in this case, I thought that perhaps this was meant to convey dislike towards Western influence by associating a western word with Senseis withdrawal from society.

Another thing that caught my attention was also something that was touched upon in classyou mentioned that although Soseki did live in a time where women were treated lesser that he himself was not sexist. To be honest, something that rubbed me the wrong way about the narrator and also Sensei were their presumptions about women. Especially how the narrator perceived his mother, and the incessant remarks regarding how pitiful a creature she was, how she understood very little, and then the stories about how when the narrators parents were younger, his father was much more temperamental and at one point had beaten her back with a broomstick. Then there was, in the portion from the third section, how Sensei was weary of and and suspected them of trying to rope him into marrying the daughter just as his Uncle had tried to. Of course, these are all elements that reflect the time in which the novel takes placesit was the reality of how the genders and the differences between them were perceived. To me, these attitudes towards women that the narrator and Sensei share reflects on their character flaw, which I see is their difficulty in looking at situations or feelings from the view of other people. They both seem quite headstrong and have difficulty looking past their personal perceptions of things, even if they know they are being irrational; Senseis inner-conflict of distrusting while also having romantic feelings for her seems almost tragic to me because hes even aware that she hasnt actually done anything to deserve the distrust he holds towards her. I also pitied the narrators fatherhis greater concern in not being able to uncover Senseis past if he died being more important than standing by his fathers deathbed showed a tragic immaturity and selfishness.

Lastly, the introduction of K established a parallel between Sensei and K and the narrator

and Sensei. Senseis relationship with K being what turned Sensei into a socially withdrawn intellect is greatly ironic since Senseis goal in taking K in with him and the two women was in part to humanize him. I also feel that this quality is present in Sensei and the narrators relationship. I wonder if perhaps K holds some feelings towards and that this is what leads to conflict between himself and Sensei. It would make sense that a character so engrossed in spiritual steadfastness would act coldly towards the people who have essentially taken him inin an attempt to suppress perhaps his possibly feelings for which he would perceive as some worldly desire.