After reading through both Punishment, by Rabindranath Tagore, and Separate Ways, by Higuchi Ichiyo, it appears evident that both authors try to explore the mindset of an individual who’s self interest is in conflict with their relationship to another person. In both stories it can be seen how one person has to make a mental decision between either his self interest or that of a current relationship. What is more subtle about this is that at both times, the individual pushes away the relationship in order to protect his self interest. Starting off with the story Punishment, Chidam has to make a quick decision when facing the question of who killed his sister in law. Instead of truthfully telling the landlord that it was his brother who killed her, he decides to destroy his relationship with his wife by framing her for the crime. In this case, Chidam is picking one relationship over another and this choice reflects on his self interest of protecting his brother. Chidam even goes on to state that even if he loses his wife, he can just find another one, but he would never be able to replace his brother. This clearly reinforces the idea that a person will always put his or her self interest before any other relationship even if it morally unjust.

The story Separate Ways continues the same trend of self interest over relationships again through the character of Kichizo. Struggling to fit into the world due to not having a family, Kichizo finds comfort in his relationship with Okyo, who seems to be the only person that respects and understands him. Okyo allows Kichizo to come over whenever he wants and she even lets him eat her rice cakes. Okyo is also a tailor that promises to sew a nice robe for Kichizo when she has the chance and Kichizo takes pride knowing that there is somebody that is willing to do a good deed for him. At one point Kichizo tells Okyo that she deserves a better life and that he would be very happy for her if she ever managed to get a lucky break that would lead her to a better life. Eventually Okyo reveals to Kichizo that she will be leaving shortly to become the mistress of a wealthy man and this puts Kichizo in great distress. Within a few minutes he becomes angered by this revelation as he feels betrayed by Okyo. At this point is when Kichizo’s self interest takes over and is put ahead of his relationship. Even though he told Okyo earlier that he would be happy if she was able to get something good in life, Kichizo quickly goes back on these statements. Even though he is justified in his distress over having the only person he ever cared about leaving him, he fails to note that she is leaving for a better life elsewhere and that this should make him happy. Here Kichizio is putting his self interest ahead of his relationship by not wanting Okyo to leave and eventually turning his back on her. His self interest of having Okyo by his side trumps the happiness of their relationship at the end.

It is clear how both stories explore human selfishness through the choices made in both of them. It also ties in with the style of Realism that was prevalent in this era. Both these authors use realism to show the true human nature of individuals when faced with a choice. This goes on to show that the individual will always pick his or her self interest as it is best for them over any relationship or matter that doesn’t affect them directly.