Annotating Mishima's Patriotism

Paragraph Annotation

¶ 1 Leave a comment on paragraph 1 0 ¶ 38  “Good We’ll go together. But I want you as a witness, first, for my own suicide. Agreed?”

One of the themes throughout this work is the balanced and mutual relationship between Shinji and his wife Reiko. Their relationship is loving, traditional, and very tender. The respect and trust that Shinji demonstrates towards his wife in this dialogue (which is further explored in the next paragraph), only further proves the quality of their relationship which the novel explores. He trusts her to witness his death and not deter him from completing the action, and by going first he trusts that she will then stay loyal and commit suicide afterwards.

¶ 3 Leave a comment on paragraph 3 0 ¶ 39 When this was said a sudden release of abundant happiness welled up in both their hearts. Reiko was. deeply affected by the greatness of her husband’s trust in her. It was vital for the lieutenant, whatever else might happen, that there should be no irregularity in his death. For that reason there had to be a witness. The fact that he had chosen his wife for this was the first mark of his trust. The second, and even greater mark, was that though he had pledged that they should die together he did not intend to kill his wife first—he had deferred her death to a time when he would no longer be there to verify it. If the lieutenant had been a suspicious husband, he would doubtless, as in the usual suicide pact, have chosen to kill his wife first.

This paragraph further touches on what I wrote previously. This paragraph explains the true honor of Reiko being asked to be his witness. He has faith in her to be loyal and to validate his act of death. For Reiko, this  translated as an act of love, rather than an act of terror to have to watch her husband commit suicide. He also trusts her to be able to commit the same act after he is gone, which means he has a lot of trust in her loyalty as his wife. She embraces the thoughtful words with pride and strength. The emotional strength that Reiko demonstrates is also important to the overall themes of the novel. The decisions she makes, although prompted ultimately by her husband, are embraced fully by herself in a way that makes her an independent character within the novel. Although she is Shinji’s wife, she is not only Shinji’s wife, she is Reiko, and she is given moments such as this one where her strength and honor are highlighted through their relationship. The decision to follow her husband without hesitation is due to the balance and love within the relationship itself.

¶ 5 Leave a comment on paragraph 5 0 ¶ 61 As soon as the lieutenant had drained his sake cup he offered it to Reiko. Reiko had never before tasted sake, but she accepted without hesitation and sipped timidly.

This paragraph mimics many aspects of their relationship from other parts of the novel. Previous to this paragraph Reiko prepared the sake. The lieutenant then drank some of it, and offered the rest to Reiko. her actions when drinking the sake are first without hesitation, but then slightly timidly. Throughout much of the novel Reiko followed her husband without hesitation; she prepared for him, loved him, and followed him with trust and respect. When he hands her a drink which she has never had before, she takes it without hesitation, probably appreciative of her husband’s offer. Although she is timid to try it, she does no less. At many parts of the novel, especially when preparing the house, Reiko takes her time and moves deliberately. This timid action is a slow action, but not unwavering. In many ways that is how Reiko approaches other tasks within the novel.

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