Annotation on paragraph 57 &111
One of the important themes in Mishima’s Patriotism is ritual suicide. In Japan, ritual suicide, also called seppuku, has been a time-honored means of escaping from capture or an irreconcilable conflict. It’s a painful way of dying meant to show the courage and tenacity of a samurai even in the face of defeat. In Japanese […]
Paragraph 55
¶ 55 There was nothing to suggest a time of any special significance. Reiko, going busily about her tasks, was preparing side dishes from odds and ends in stock. Her hands did not tremble. If anything, she managed even more efficiently and smoothly than usual. From time to time, it is true, there was a […]
Paragraph Annotation
¶ 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 […]
Paragraph 142 Annotation – Patriotism – Daniel Namdar
“What had until now been tasted only faintly through her husband’s example she was about to savor directly with her own tongue.” Reiko’s death alongside the Lieutenant’s death can represent simultaneity, which is the idea of two events happening at the same time. Reiko had pledged to follow her husband’s death. The fact that the […]
Paragraph 4 ＆5
4 Those who saw the bride and bridegroom in the commemorative photograph—perhaps no less than those actually present at the lieutenant’s wedding—had exclaimed in wonder at the bearing of this handsome couple. The lieutenant, majestic in military uniform, stood protectively beside his bride, his right hand resting upon his sword, his officer’s cap held at […]
Paragraph 95 Annotation – Patriotism – Daniel Namdar
“In the two rooms downstairs husband and wife busied themselves smoothly and serenely with their respective preparations.” A common theme scene throughout Mishima’s piece is that everything was to be done properly. When it came time to committing suicide the Lieutenant, and his wife made preparations such as washing up and folding clothing. This […]
Paragraphs 39 and 93
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 […]
Paragraph 133
Paragraph 133 Reiko could bear the sight no longer. She tried to go to her husband’s help, but she could not stand. She moved through the blood on her knees, and her white skirts grew deep red. Moving to the rear of her husband, she helped no more than by loosening the collar. The quivering […]
Paragraph 5 and 58 Annotations
5: “After the suicide, people would take out this photograph and examine it, and sadly reflect that too often there was a curse on these seemingly flawless unions. Perhaps it was no more than imagination, but looking at the picture after the tragedy it almost seemed as if the two young people before the gold-lacquered […]
Paragraph 139
Paragraph 139 The lieutenant was lying on his face in a sea of blood. The point protruding from his neck seemed to have grown even more prominent than before. Reiko walked heedlessly across the blood. Sitting beside the lieutenant’s corpse, she stared intently at the face, which lay on one cheek on the mat. The […]
Recent Comments in this Document
May 16, 2016 at 11:05 pm
I agree that women in that generations were taught to be submissive and once they marry they are like the husband’s property. It is also sad that they were only married for such a short time and she is willing to die with him.
-Sandy
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May 15, 2016 at 10:32 pm
This moment was very impressive description of Reiko’s feeling and operation. It is difficult thing to help her lover to finish the suicide. Meanwhile, the passage portarys lieutenant’s determination to suicide.
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May 15, 2016 at 10:28 pm
Although this paragraph does show the societal duties of women towards their husband, it also shows the strength and pride that Reiko takes in her position as his wife. Her action of taking the knife shows her dedication to her husband. And the silent understanding afterwords shows the mutual respect and trust between them both. Shinji’s forewarning to his wife about the possibility of suicide also has a caring undertone to it. He wants to give her the chance to be prepared and prove herself; which she does.
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May 15, 2016 at 10:24 pm
Yup, it’s quite pretentious to me that they want to show people that they are patriotic enough to kill themselves. And I feel like the author is over glorifying their suicides.
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May 15, 2016 at 9:37 pm
Sandy, it is amazing how the last thing the Lieutenant, and Reiko did together was to make love to one another. Do you think there is a correlation or a possibly theme associated with love and death in which Mishima is trying to portray?
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May 15, 2016 at 9:06 pm
I like your choice of scene to show simultaneity in the story. There were definitely a lot of conflicting emotions going through the character’s minds, such as the passion and death that you pointed it. The Lieutenant has a lot of thoughts running through his head at once and intertwining together, but the overall theme is that he feels a sense of freedom in both these acts.
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May 15, 2016 at 8:11 pm
I very much agree with this and discussed a similar idea in my most. The simultaneity that exists in the above sentence is clear, and is one of the more interesting sentences in the paper.
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May 15, 2016 at 7:38 pm
I agree with you that Reiko and lieutenant had S&M relationship, because she didn’t want to disobay her husband. It is not clear did she like it or she simply accepted to satisfy him.
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May 15, 2016 at 7:16 pm
I agree that the first part of the sentence, even though short and simple, tells a lot about Reiko. She is your typical traditional wife that is very loyal and obedient to her husband. I didn’t think much about the “coat” when I read through, so I think it is interesting that it could be a reference to Reiko’s feelings.
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