Conveyance of Cultural Values in "The Sound of Waves"
· As a whole, “The Sound of Waves” can easily be interpreted by the reader as being a direct example of what Yukio Mishima viewed as the “ideal Japan”, therefore it can be argued that many characters serve as conveyors of cultural values.
· For each character that conveys desirable cultural values, there is one who conveys the undesirable ones. Most notably, this can be found in comparisons of Shinji and Yasuo, and Hatsue and Chiyoko. Shinji is a hard worker in comparison to Yasuo’s rather pampered existence. While Shinji is introduced as “well-built” and characteristically attractive (6), Yasuo is introduced as being “quite fat” and having a “red complexion” (22). The dissonance does not end in appearances, it also comes through in values. This is especially clear in their treatment of Hatsue. Yasuo’s attempted rape is in extreme opposition to Shinji’s kind and respectful treatment of her.
· The contrasts of values between Hatsue and Chiyoko are much more action and behavior oriented than Shinji and Yasuo’s were, lacking the physical aspect entirely. The negative, unwanted behavior Chiyoko embodies most fully is the importance she places on her self. Japanese culture, and many Eastern cultures in general, do not value the individual (much unlike Western cultures). Chiyoko has left her community for personal education (58), displays certain traits of someone who is depressed (58-59), and displays jealousy that results in the separation of Hatsue and Shinji. All of these aspects paint her in a very undesirable, un-culturally acceptable light. The values conveyed through Hatsue’s timid demeanor, beauty, and selflessness (146) embody the culturally desired Japanese woman, in the very least in the eyes of Mishima.
· A larger method of comparing the pairs is to view it under the scope of who has been tainted by American culture. If Hatsue and Shinji represent traditional Japanese values, Yasuo and Chiyoko represent the perversion of these values through Western influence. Chiyoko’s self-absorption and more evident personality are presumably a result of the Westernized environment and education she receives in Tokyo, and Yasuo being portrayed as a sexual tyrant and even his dress are ways in which Mishima urges the reader to equate western cultural values with “bad”
· Perhaps these characters are not distinctly Japanese culture conveyors, but specifically the values of Yukio Mishima. Through extension of that, they are the traditional cultural values of Japan. Shinji is a morally impeccable everyman for said values.
· Values in Terukichi and Shinji’s mother
· Values in community as a whole
· Methods used to ensure correct values are viewed as desirable
· For each character that conveys desirable cultural values, there is one who conveys the undesirable ones. Most notably, this can be found in comparisons of Shinji and Yasuo, and Hatsue and Chiyoko. Shinji is a hard worker in comparison to Yasuo’s rather pampered existence. While Shinji is introduced as “well-built” and characteristically attractive (6), Yasuo is introduced as being “quite fat” and having a “red complexion” (22). The dissonance does not end in appearances, it also comes through in values. This is especially clear in their treatment of Hatsue. Yasuo’s attempted rape is in extreme opposition to Shinji’s kind and respectful treatment of her.
· The contrasts of values between Hatsue and Chiyoko are much more action and behavior oriented than Shinji and Yasuo’s were, lacking the physical aspect entirely. The negative, unwanted behavior Chiyoko embodies most fully is the importance she places on her self. Japanese culture, and many Eastern cultures in general, do not value the individual (much unlike Western cultures). Chiyoko has left her community for personal education (58), displays certain traits of someone who is depressed (58-59), and displays jealousy that results in the separation of Hatsue and Shinji. All of these aspects paint her in a very undesirable, un-culturally acceptable light. The values conveyed through Hatsue’s timid demeanor, beauty, and selflessness (146) embody the culturally desired Japanese woman, in the very least in the eyes of Mishima.
· A larger method of comparing the pairs is to view it under the scope of who has been tainted by American culture. If Hatsue and Shinji represent traditional Japanese values, Yasuo and Chiyoko represent the perversion of these values through Western influence. Chiyoko’s self-absorption and more evident personality are presumably a result of the Westernized environment and education she receives in Tokyo, and Yasuo being portrayed as a sexual tyrant and even his dress are ways in which Mishima urges the reader to equate western cultural values with “bad”
· Perhaps these characters are not distinctly Japanese culture conveyors, but specifically the values of Yukio Mishima. Through extension of that, they are the traditional cultural values of Japan. Shinji is a morally impeccable everyman for said values.
· Values in Terukichi and Shinji’s mother
· Values in community as a whole
· Methods used to ensure correct values are viewed as desirable