Post by Hiba Rashid on Sept 15, 2015 1:10:57 GMT
This story emphasizes the coexistence of human beings and animals, so the relationship between Kojuro and the bears is very different from that of Kojuro and the shopkeeper. To begin, the bears live in Mt. Nametoko, a place that Kojuro calls home. When he walks through old, dried valleys, they bloom and when the bears see him, they admire him, showing his harmony with nature. Unfortunately, he must hunt those bears to make a living. Kojuro’s relationship with the bears is one of understanding and respect, but also of remorse. This can be seen when he apologizes for shooting them and does not hunt them for leisure, as seen when he quietly watches a mother bear and her cub speak about cherry blossoms. He has power over the bears, but does not unreasonably exercise that power. Kojuro can also communicate with the bears, like when a bear asks him to spare his life for two years and prays to its dead body when it appears, exactly after two years.
When interacting with the shopkeeper in town, “the brave lord of the hills” (p.107) takes a submissive character. Kojuro loses power as he physically bows low and desperately tries to sell the bear skins. He receives only two yen for his bear skins, but remains content. Therefore, this relationship is inevitably marked by power and inferiority.
The description of the ceremony at the end reminded me of a funeral, in which everyone is dressed as “black figures” (p.111). I believe the black figures are the bears of Mt. Nametoko and are mourning Kojuro’s death. I further believe that the bears depart with him to death because the story begins with “there used to be any number of bears” (p.103). It seems after his death, the Fuchizawa River is named after him. This ceremony could represent Kojuro finally becoming a part of nature, instead of just living a remorseful life harming it.
Discussion Question: Why does the author choose to make the bears behave like humans as in “most of them would wave their paws as though to tell him that they didn’t want to be treated in that way” (p.104) and “staring intently at the far-off valley with their paws up to their foreheads” (p.106)?
When interacting with the shopkeeper in town, “the brave lord of the hills” (p.107) takes a submissive character. Kojuro loses power as he physically bows low and desperately tries to sell the bear skins. He receives only two yen for his bear skins, but remains content. Therefore, this relationship is inevitably marked by power and inferiority.
The description of the ceremony at the end reminded me of a funeral, in which everyone is dressed as “black figures” (p.111). I believe the black figures are the bears of Mt. Nametoko and are mourning Kojuro’s death. I further believe that the bears depart with him to death because the story begins with “there used to be any number of bears” (p.103). It seems after his death, the Fuchizawa River is named after him. This ceremony could represent Kojuro finally becoming a part of nature, instead of just living a remorseful life harming it.
Discussion Question: Why does the author choose to make the bears behave like humans as in “most of them would wave their paws as though to tell him that they didn’t want to be treated in that way” (p.104) and “staring intently at the far-off valley with their paws up to their foreheads” (p.106)?
