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Post by angelina kurganska on Dec 1, 2015 5:04:00 GMT
Honestly, I think its quite strange and confusing how Mamoru says "bow wow" at the end of this story. Actually my first thought was "I wonder what he says in the Japanese version and how it sounds". Also, how does it connect to the story in its original version and interpretation of it. Nevertheless, I feel like Mamoru choosing to say bow wow - the sound a dog makes, perhaps out of every other animal he could have chosen signifies loyalty. I often associate dogs with loyalty because they are known to be one of the most loyal creatures on this planet; which is why I think that Mamoru said bow wow to open up (and close, as its at the very end of the story) the underlying theme throughout this story which is loyalty. Shiomura wasn't able to be too loyal neither to his family nor Tsuyuko, and the carp ended up coming back to haunt him in both of these aspects. He is caught up on trying to figure out why Tsuyuko might have chosen to drop off the carp, but at the same time is worried of his family figuring out the truth.
At the end of it all I think Shiomura's wife probably knew all along and decided to kill the Mr.Carp to show Shiomura that she knew. She would be considered that Shiomura is always looking at the carp and might have made her own conclusions, or perhaps she even knew about everything from the start.
Question:
Why do you think Shiomura chose to take Mamoru with him to wander around Tsuyuko's neihborhood?
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Post by Alexis Iguina on Dec 1, 2015 18:26:55 GMT
I liked how you made the connection of the dog being the most loyal animal. It hadn't occurred to me until I read your post which made me think of the difference between Mamoru and Mayumi, Shiomura's daughter. Mayumi was always suspicious of the fish and even grew to detest it. In the beginning she even heard someone in the kitchen, and although the family was having a good time, insisted that there was someone in the kitchen. Thus it shows that she is very aware of things. Mamoru who I assume is younger seems more naive. He has a more positive feelings towards the fish and doesn't seem to be aware of his father's preoccupation with it. Meanwhile, Mayumi does things such as stare at her father in an "insolent" way. Moreover, I think because he knew his children characteristics (Mayumi being keen and Mamoru being more simple), he chose Mamoru because Mamoru wouldn't spill his secret. He had taken Mamoru out before; they went out to a baseball field and when Mamoru was asked the same question "where were you," he replied "television." This also show's a difference from Mayumi who seems more serious. She probably wouldn't reply with a goofy answer like that. Mamoru is like a dog in that he doesn't stress his father out. And also by not answering Miwako's question he is like a dog in that he is loyal.
Also one reason why Shiomura chose to go to to his mistress neighborhood was to find some conclusion with his sudden break from her. By coming with Mamoru, he is bringing evidence of his other life as a father. Tsuyuko would have had the chance to see that and maybe could have understood Shiomura's reason for ending the affair.
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Post by Mina Kaneko on Dec 4, 2015 5:18:23 GMT
I enjoyed reading your post too - I honestly had no idea why Mamoru barked at the end when I read it, it stumped me. I tried to let it sit for a while, but couldn't quite think of something so symbolic. I think you're right though, that a dog is loyal, trustworthy (Mamoru means to protect in Japanese). A dog doesn't speak, but by nature maintains a trusting and loyal relationship with its owner. Reading both of your posts also had me thinking about the protagonist's specific relationship to Mamoru over the other characters. There is something of a strong male bond there - the protagonist has an appreciation for women (he is aware of Miwako, Mayumi, and Tsuyuko's respective feelings), but I do feel that he doesn't relate to them. He respects them, but he doesn't necessarily identify or relate to them so much. There's a definite schism between he and Mayumi, for example - she has been getting on his nerves, even when she's right. And she in turn doesn't quite trust the whole Mr. Carp situation. He seems to find solace in his only son in a situation where he's finding himself entangled in complications with women.
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