Post by Alexis Iguina on Oct 1, 2015 16:59:21 GMT
For me, Botchan is a likeable character. He is always genuine unlike shady characters such as Red-shirt. He is one to take a stand and stick to it (p.29). For example, when Hotta (Porcupine) was forced to resign, he felt it wasn’t right and went to school the next day to resign. The Principal (Badger), taken by surprise, told him to reconsider and gave him reasons as to why. Ultimately, Botchan stuck to his plan and resigned. This proves his character that Kiyo often spoke about. Although his actions were impulsive (moreover he could possibly never redeemed his reputation professionally), Botchan chose to be at his “friend” side.
Botchan also doesn’t care about the opinions of his colleagues and students. Often he would say, “I was ready to pack up and leave at any time.” This was annoying for it was always his only thought of action for when something went wrong. As he admits, he wasn’t a creative thinker. His honest assessment of himself did not present him as a smart man; nevertheless he showed no sign of low-self-esteem.
Botchan always had something to say about anything. Although his comments were rude, arrogant and sometimes ignorant, they were never sugar-coated or refined to fit the approval of another person. For example, when asked about going to the hot spring during night duty, Botchan felt it wasn’t improper at all to step out. He added,“In fact, it would be improper not to go out for a stroll(p.37).” This shows his arrogance but at the same time, he felt it was his right since he was subjected to a task that other people such as the Badger and Red-shirt were excused from. Moreover, he felt as a new teacher it was unfair to be put in such a predicament.
Although, Botchan is a likeable character, he is very judgmental. He often compares the country-side to Tokyo. He feels as though the country people are backwards. He openly criticized their use of “na moshi,” calling their way of speaking mushy and stupid. In response to the noodles and tempura incident, he called the people of the town pathetic. He compared them to “small-minded twerps, depressingly stunted like bonsai maple trees in their little pots (p.31).” He was frustrated that they made such a big deal. In a way, his constant frustrations with the ways of the town proved his stubbornness to adapt which in turn reveals he is not an open-minded person. Also, Botchan felt like Tokyo was superior. When walking around the little town, he felt the town’s biggest buildings had nothing on Tokyo’s structures. To take control of his classes, Botchan mentioned he used his Tokyo accent. Additionally, when reflecting on his whole experience he felt like the country was purgatory and coming back to Tokyo was coming back to the real world (p.142).
Question: Did Botchan’s attitude reflect how people from Tokyo (during Sooskei’s lifetime) felt towards the country-side?
Botchan also doesn’t care about the opinions of his colleagues and students. Often he would say, “I was ready to pack up and leave at any time.” This was annoying for it was always his only thought of action for when something went wrong. As he admits, he wasn’t a creative thinker. His honest assessment of himself did not present him as a smart man; nevertheless he showed no sign of low-self-esteem.
Botchan always had something to say about anything. Although his comments were rude, arrogant and sometimes ignorant, they were never sugar-coated or refined to fit the approval of another person. For example, when asked about going to the hot spring during night duty, Botchan felt it wasn’t improper at all to step out. He added,“In fact, it would be improper not to go out for a stroll(p.37).” This shows his arrogance but at the same time, he felt it was his right since he was subjected to a task that other people such as the Badger and Red-shirt were excused from. Moreover, he felt as a new teacher it was unfair to be put in such a predicament.
Although, Botchan is a likeable character, he is very judgmental. He often compares the country-side to Tokyo. He feels as though the country people are backwards. He openly criticized their use of “na moshi,” calling their way of speaking mushy and stupid. In response to the noodles and tempura incident, he called the people of the town pathetic. He compared them to “small-minded twerps, depressingly stunted like bonsai maple trees in their little pots (p.31).” He was frustrated that they made such a big deal. In a way, his constant frustrations with the ways of the town proved his stubbornness to adapt which in turn reveals he is not an open-minded person. Also, Botchan felt like Tokyo was superior. When walking around the little town, he felt the town’s biggest buildings had nothing on Tokyo’s structures. To take control of his classes, Botchan mentioned he used his Tokyo accent. Additionally, when reflecting on his whole experience he felt like the country was purgatory and coming back to Tokyo was coming back to the real world (p.142).
Question: Did Botchan’s attitude reflect how people from Tokyo (during Sooskei’s lifetime) felt towards the country-side?