The Wild Geese: Historical Context and Perspective

English 30 Oct lesson notes/ELP

 

Historical context and perspective

 

What is Ogai Mori’s perspective of Japan and its relationship with the West at this time, and what aspects of the story have given you these ideas?

 

“Ogai’s antagonism toward this new movement perhaps deepened his recognition of the richness of his own culture.” This quote is from the introduction of the novel after a section that talks about “the period of naturalism”. With some understanding of new historical theory, I think this serves as a parallel to one possibility of Mori’s perspective. Growing up, he had quite a bit of firsthand experience with the Western culture, “given the opportunity to investigate it at an early age”. Though a product of his time, his introspection and discoveries of, for example, what is true “resignation”…perhaps overtime he built a certain dislike/hidden contempt towards Westernisation, and the Wild Geese presents his rediscovered appreciation for Japanese culture after his experience, by exploring how influence from the West has had these conflicting effects with Japanese culture. Perhaps exploring the implications of the introduction of Western values into a culturally rigid lifestyle practiced in Japanese culture. 

 

We can consider how Okada invited the thoughts of freedom and being able to carve her own path into Otama’s mind and how both characters fell into a sort of fantasy that mirrors the love stories and romanticised happily-ever-after lifestyles prevalent in Western culture. But we see in the end of the novel how this “forbidden love” does not follow the conventional plot and arrive at a romantic ending, and instead both characters are thrust back into their realities. Though Okada is able to follow path to opportunity as a student, perhaps we are left to pity Otama (despite the strength she holds during the whole situation) who seems to be continually wronged by Western influences (the Western policeman and his shoes), and in this case the idea that she would be able to change her own destiny.

 

But because of the nature of Japanese culture and its rigidity, I feel the characters may not necessarily be bound to their destiny, but bound to their role — which I feel is more tragic. Perhaps this is where Japanese culture is being criticised as the obligations placed on Otama where due to causes out of her own control, but have entrapped her. And yet her chance to be “happy” was swept away by his own obligations to fulfil. Considering the strict balance and order exercised in Japanese society at the time, as a lone actor how would Otama been able to break free? Say, it would be a different outcome if she had someone supporting her (her father? but she there are so many things she is unable to tell him), someone to lead (Suezo’s wife? as she has also been put in a difficult situation by society and wronged by Suezo who she is bound to), or have someone to fight with (Okada, but he was unable to meet her halfway on this part). 

 

However, looking at it in this way may suggest that aspects of both the Japanese and Western culture are celebrated. Though the West provides opportunities and wonder and freedom, perhaps he is representing a belief that order trumps these gifts granted by Westernisation. 

 

One of the most interesting features of this novel is the use of the “embedded narrative”. takes forms of different perspectives that “reaffirm societal expectations” or “judge characters” and their actions, or provide an opinion through the use of personal narrative. Although quite questionable and almost has a voyeuristic sense because of the “intrusive” segments, it still builds a degree of empathy and helps question which characters align with — considering how they are affected by Japanese culture of Westernisation

 

at the end of the day both have implications

 

interesting how the end brings a close, a balance. how the balance of relationships is so important in japanese culture.

 

perhaps supporting 3rd point, but beyond, not only how japanese order trumps freedom (?) but 

 

Lesson notes:

 

1. new historical theory:

the novel is a product of its time, but also keep in mind that Mori is a product of the time as well.

consider interpretation and “what that tells us about the interpreters”

not only is this a novel about the tensions at that time, but how reliable is that as an interpretation if the author is also a product of the time.

the subjectivity…the way that history tells us…

 

from the purdue website:

• does the work’s presentation support or condemn the event?
• how does it consider traditionally marginalised populations?

 

2. aspects of Japan’s history reflected in the novel.

• western powers beginning to come into japan
• boundaries between social classes…began to break down?
• german!
• “After about one to two decades of intensive westernization, a revival of conservative and nationalistic feelings took place
• Japanese scholars were sent abroad to study Western science and languages, while foreign experts taught in Japan

 

3. reading the intro: what do you learn about the novel’s biographical context that shapes your reading of the novel in its historical context?

his creativity declined. defined resignation. but it’s not much in a negative sense, a lot of introspection. 

 

“he saw the chaos in japan, the chaos of the old and the new in collision everywhere, and he attempted, through science and literature, to give his country the harmony, the order, it needed.” 

 

tradition and fixedness of Japanese culture conflicting with the new ideas/ideals of the west

 

Do you think the novel could be said to be an allegory for Japan at this time in its history? a symbolic fictional narrative, fable, parable…simpler more accessible way to to show an idea/something about the world.

the transience of all things? but how specific to japan…

bringing to attention negatives? positives? of westernisation of Japan? but everything goes back to the same way by the end. perhaps…the order and stability brought by the stricter Japanese culture supersedes the western, somehow always achieves a balance — it seems to be the Japanese way to always somehow be able to “put things right? in the sense that people are put into their place because of the way they society is structured. Maybe though Otama was fighting for her freedom and ability to break the order and carve her own path, how she wasn’t supported/able to lead anyone/or in her case met halfway by Okada then there was no point in an almost “revolt against” is everything and everyone around her was as fixed as evern.

 

so yes, because it presents Japanese culture, but also how the west has influenced it. the implications of introducing these different (in what way?) attitudes to how things are into a more culturally rigid society. 

 

narrative point of view

• Re-read the novel’s opening – just the first 2 pages, the opening of Ch.4, the very beginning of Chs 22 and 23, and the final chapter (24)
• How would you describe the narrative technique and point of view?

 

• How do we make sense of authorial perspective in relation to narrative perspective?

“embedded narrative” – “diminishing to all but essential elements”

almost like void of personality? — the parts that “add flesh”. does this give us a more reliable authorial perspective because it lacks the “character’s point of view” part, or less reliable because we question who and how the narrator even is? There’s this ambiguity in how the speaker knows all this, and the wording makes it all the more unclear/unsure. 

 

from notes:

• 1st person narrative, 3rd person omniscient impersonal description
• novel is about the narrator? the way story is told includes aspects of own life? living out a fantasy through someone else’s own?
  why 1st person narrator? distancing from attitudes in the story…to challenge traditional japanese society…or reaffirm societal expectation?

 

• Retrospective viewpoint (e.g. P17)
• Personal narrative – sometimes intrusive first person narrator (e.g. P.14, 39, 85, 109)
• Judgmental (often ironic) character descriptions (e.g. P. 36)
• Empathetic character descriptions, sometimes creating pathos (e.g. P.76)
• Impersonal narrative – creates impression of omniscience and objectivity like a third person narrative and through indirect/reported thought (e.g. P.29 and 44)
• Shifting perspective/viewpoint (e.g. P.22)
• Direct speech / dialogue – functions? (e.g. P.69)
• Psychological verisimilitude (realism) (e.g. P.39)
• Analogy (e.g. P23)