Tag Archives: Bewitched

The author of “Bewitched,” Ueda Akinari has a profound way of bringing characters to life in his stories. While reading “Bewitched,” I was able to connect with the characters Toyo-o and Manago. By the time I reached the conclusion of the story, I couldn’t help but feel empathy towards Manago. Although she seemed like the antagonist in “Bewitched,” her only fault was her undying love for Toyo-o.  She didn’t deserve to be treated cruelly and trapped in a grave mound for the rest of her life.

Manago is a supernatural serpent creature, who has the ability to bewitch humans using a beautiful, human façade. When Manago and Toyo-o first meet, it is love at first sight. Toyo-o gives her an umbrella, and Manago is touched not only by his kindness, but also his handsome appearance. Manago recounts this magical moment during their second encounter, “I enjoyed the blessings of your hospitality and friendship. I felt certain that you were a sincere man, and that I should devote the rest of my life to you” (635). She confesses her feelings towards Toyo-o and they both make an eternal pledge to get married.  Throughout the story, Manago’s love for Toyo-o only grows stronger. In one instance, she describes how they are fated lovers and threatens that he must never leave her, “My dear husband, there is nothing strange about all this. Even if you have forgotten your pledge to me, made across the seas and over the mountains, we meet again because it has been predestined. […] And I warn you, don’t ever try to do away with yourself” (645). She even vows to follow him anywhere.

Although Manago’s love for Toyo-o is unwavering, Toyo-o’s love for Manago fluctuates. He quickly turns on her when he is arrested and when the priest reveals to him that she is not a human. Toyo-o only denounces his love for Manago when he finds out that she is a supernatural creature. Prior to knowing she was a serpent creature, they enjoyed a happy marriage.

Ultimately I believe Manago didn’t deserve to be treated badly. Although she acts in ways that reader may deem as unjust, she does it because of her love for Toyo-o. When she kills the priest, it is only as self-defense because the priest was trying to destroy her and was telling Toyo-o things that made him despise her. She also takes over Tomiko’s body because she was jealous that her husband was trying to marry another woman. In the end, Manago can’t help that she is a serpent creature who has fallen in love with a human. She does all in her power to stay with Toyo-o. She may not be the most innocent character, but I feel sympathy towards her.

Questions:

1. Do you feel sympathy towards Manago? Do you believe she was a crazy, evil serpent monster or a misunderstood supernatural creature seeking love?
2. How do you feel about the ending of the story? Did the characters deserve their happy or sad ending?

“Bewitched”, written by Ueda Akinari, is a story that focuses on many themes that we have discussed.  Love, manipulation, and family discord are all prevalent  in the plot.  In fact, in just the third paragraph, Toyo-o, the protagonist, is already described as a problem to his father for his lack of interest in the family business (632).  Later on, when the commotion regarding the stolen sword is erupting, Toyo-o is referred to as a “good-for-nothing son” by his Father (637).

From the moment Manago enters the story, her beauty demands the focus of Toyo-o.  She is befittingly portrayed as “bewitchingly voluptuous” and not only keeps Toyo-o up at night, but is implanted in his dreams.  It is interesting to note that the author does not refer to her by name, thereby alluding to the fact that she may not be any one person, or even a person at all. Perhaps one of the most unique sentences of the story was when Toyo-o is described as feeling like “a bird taking flight from its roost” after Manago confesses her love to him.  We know that birds are known to represent freedom and positivity in literature, but in this case the protagonist is heading down a path that leads to the exact opposite.

When Manago finds again in the trading area of Tanabe (641), it is really amazing how quickly and effectively she is able to turn the crowd on her side.  With a few simple reasons about why she may not be a devil and a tear-filled plea to explain herself, she is brought into a home with open arms – the home of Toyo-o’s sister nonetheless.  Toyo-o, just as the husband from “The Wise Neighbor”, was unable to resist the physical beauty of his partner for more than a few days, and forgot all else in his life.

It was pleasantly surprising that Toyo-o was able to literally exercise his demons and go on to live a long and healthy life.  As he is suffocating the devil “with all his strength” (647) at the end of the story, one can feel his 100 days in jail, his accusatory and ungrateful father, and the times he was threatened and deceived all releasing to create this unbreakable hold over the devil.

For Questions:

1. Was there a climax to this winding story?  Could there have been more than one?

2. The old man Tagima seems to come out of nowhere and potentially save many lives.  Is he a coincidental hero, or perhaps a symbol of something greater?