Post by botchan on Sept 30, 2015 7:01:52 GMT
I think the main theme of this book was to show the flaws of human nature, mostly through criticizing bureaucracy and the society. It was mentioned that this book is a timeless read and I completely agree with this thought. Although Botchan was written over 100 years ago it is very easy and enjoyable to read, moreover the topics discussed in the book are still greatly seen in today's society. Throughout the book Botchan would constantly criticize everyone who crossed his path, I think we can easily apply the same criticisms to our society today, in almost any country, and how people behave.
I feel like I can sympathize with Botchan the most out of all the characters. Everything about him is very pure and childish, sometimes even naive. The book starts off with him being a little kid and as he reaches adulthood and becomes a teacher I think nothing changes in his character or his behavior. He is very rash and changes his opinion quickly, often so by misjudging a situation. One moment he will hate a person, and the next he will have the most love and praises for them. However one thing that changes about Botchan is his new found love for Kiyo, as he misses being treated with endless kindness. While reading the book I would often think about the importance of Kiyo in this book as he so often mentions her. I found it strange that he never talks about younger woman and even mentions "I have no special aversion to a young woman, but whenever I see a respectable old woman, there gushes up in the fount of my heart a feeling of loving kindness approaching veneration"(p.106). However now I think that it makes sense. We do not know Botchan's real name and he is always Botchan for us, "young master" - the nickname that Kiyo gave him . I think this greatly sets the theme of the book as it is what he identifies with and he is forever the "young master" that Kiyo sees him as. As Botchan despised the pretenses and cruelty of the society he has to live in, he would hold on to the only image he had of anything pure, as Kiyo would never mistreat him and lived only to serve Botchan.
I feel like I can sympathize with Botchan the most out of all the characters. Everything about him is very pure and childish, sometimes even naive. The book starts off with him being a little kid and as he reaches adulthood and becomes a teacher I think nothing changes in his character or his behavior. He is very rash and changes his opinion quickly, often so by misjudging a situation. One moment he will hate a person, and the next he will have the most love and praises for them. However one thing that changes about Botchan is his new found love for Kiyo, as he misses being treated with endless kindness. While reading the book I would often think about the importance of Kiyo in this book as he so often mentions her. I found it strange that he never talks about younger woman and even mentions "I have no special aversion to a young woman, but whenever I see a respectable old woman, there gushes up in the fount of my heart a feeling of loving kindness approaching veneration"(p.106). However now I think that it makes sense. We do not know Botchan's real name and he is always Botchan for us, "young master" - the nickname that Kiyo gave him . I think this greatly sets the theme of the book as it is what he identifies with and he is forever the "young master" that Kiyo sees him as. As Botchan despised the pretenses and cruelty of the society he has to live in, he would hold on to the only image he had of anything pure, as Kiyo would never mistreat him and lived only to serve Botchan.