Post by Alan Wong on Sept 26, 2015 2:52:07 GMT
As the narrator, Botchan is definitely one of the most realistic I've come across. He's nowhere near perfect, but it's the fact that he makes mistakes and gets upset over so many things that makes him come alive for me. More importantly, it's how Botchan deals with all of the problems he faces that reflects the themes of perseverance and justice in the story. Near the beginning, we find out that Botchan never really had strong friendships or familial ties during his childhood. He never allows this to get in his way however. He just keeps moving forward despite his father's treatment, and with Kiyo's support. Later, he faces the difficulties and bureaucracy of the school and the other instructors. Time and time again, he refuses to take part in their schemes and makes morally sound choices, such as by refusing raises and promotions that would be gained by trampling on the other teachers. At the end of the story, he goes back for Kiyo and treats her to the fantasy she had always imagined, revealing how he viewed the importance of promises and expressing the gratitude he felt for the kindness Kiyo had shown him. Moreover, throughout the entire story, we always know what Botchan is thinking. Because of this, we can really see his inner mechanisms and the way in which he consistently moves through life with a certain, straightforward integrity.
The character whom I share the most sympathy with is Botchan. I think one aspect of him that many people might sympathize with is his family situation. Sometimes, you may not be the favorite (or eldest) child and you may not have good relationships with your family members. Especially nowadays, when it is common for both parents to be working, many children feel a sense of loneliness and isolation. Also, at one time or another in our lives, we all experience incredibly frustrating people like those Botchan does; there are always those people who seem like their only goal in life is to make yours as difficult as possible. Regarding Redshirt and Hanger, I actually feel the opposite of sympathy; I feel as if they weren't punished enough for their actions. Although Porcupine and Bothan did beat them, neither Redshirt nor Hanger was affected in the long term. Nobody else found out about what they had been doing and since Porcupine and Botchan both left the town shortly after, Redshirt and Hanger could have easily resumed what they had been doing, but now with no interference at all.
Discussion Question: What do you make of how things turned out for the Pale Squash? Do you think the transfer is ultimately a positive or negative thing for him?
The character whom I share the most sympathy with is Botchan. I think one aspect of him that many people might sympathize with is his family situation. Sometimes, you may not be the favorite (or eldest) child and you may not have good relationships with your family members. Especially nowadays, when it is common for both parents to be working, many children feel a sense of loneliness and isolation. Also, at one time or another in our lives, we all experience incredibly frustrating people like those Botchan does; there are always those people who seem like their only goal in life is to make yours as difficult as possible. Regarding Redshirt and Hanger, I actually feel the opposite of sympathy; I feel as if they weren't punished enough for their actions. Although Porcupine and Bothan did beat them, neither Redshirt nor Hanger was affected in the long term. Nobody else found out about what they had been doing and since Porcupine and Botchan both left the town shortly after, Redshirt and Hanger could have easily resumed what they had been doing, but now with no interference at all.
Discussion Question: What do you make of how things turned out for the Pale Squash? Do you think the transfer is ultimately a positive or negative thing for him?
