Also, when reading the short story, one must consider that in early twentieth century Japan, arranged marriages were predominant. Japanese social order in which women were secondary is also illustrated by the fact that when describing the two suicides, Mishima emphasizes the lieutenant's act and ritual whereas the wife's act is rather minimized: "His wife, Reiko, followed him, stabbing herself to death." (Mishima 93)
Patriotism" can be hard to read because of its graphic language and imagery. Furthermore, the story attempts to provide the reader with a definition of the concept of patriotism. However, readers must keep in mind that the plot is written from the perspective of an Easterner who strongly believes in honor and duty. For Mishima, nothing - not even love - can ever become more important than these two values. The graphic imagery is not in vain as it serves a very clear purpose. By painting a vivid picture of
Furthermore, through the use of literary devices Mishima voices his love of imperialism, as well as his profound loyalty to the institution of the Empire. From this perspective, "Patriotism" is also a sort of historical document which testifies to the writer's very strong convictions.
Works Cited
Abelsen, Peter. "Irony and Purity: Mishima." Modern Asian Studies 30. 3 (1996): 651-679.
Hume, Nancy G., ed. Japanese Aesthetics and Culture: A Reader / . Albany, NY: State University of New York Press, 1995.
Pollack, David. Reading against Culture: Ideology and Narrative in the Japanese Novel. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 1992.
Mishima, Yukio. "Patriotism." Trans. Geoffrey W. Sargent. In Death in Midsummer, 93-118. New York: New Directions, 1966.
Napier, Susan J. "Death and the Emperor: Mishima, Oe, and the Politics of Betrayal." The Journal of Asian Studies (1989): 71-89.
Piven, Jerry S. The Madness and Perversion of Yukio Mishima. Westport, CT: Praeger, 2004.
Wallace, John R. "Tarrying with the Negative: Aesthetic Vision in Murasaki and Mishima." Monumenta Nipponica 52. 2 (Summer, 1997): 181-199.
Yamanouchi, Hisaaki. Mishima Yukio and His Suicide. Modern Asian Studies 6/1© 1972 1-16
Books and Writers. "Yukio…
Yukio Mishima's "Patriotism" Japanese society has always been bound by tradition, and many of the traditions that are utilized influence the feeling of nationalism the Japanese people have. This was especially true in Japanese society before the Second World War and this paper looks specifically at the code of the samurai, seppuku, and arranged marriage. Other issues that will be touched upon included the historical background, cultural context, imagery, symbolism, character
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