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Post by Airy Yeh on Sept 28, 2015 20:41:42 GMT
I think the main theme of this story is about growth and about a person's attitude and view toward life. Botchan is immature because he thinks and acts like a toddler; he is self-centered, egoistic, and arrogant. While that's normal for a growing toddler, Botchan is an adult, which makes him spoiled and cynical. The lesson is that how you view yourself and the world changes everything. He blames others for everything that doesn't go his way. He lacks insight into how others think and doesn't try to empathize with anyone except for Kiyo, who was sweet to him. This story is a narrative about Botchan's character, and the reader is made to understand the way he thinks. The theme is about character growth. It's clear that he is immature and it seems like he is stuck in a developmental stage. He projects his negativity and cynicism toward everyone and everything.
I liked the first paragraph on page 72 when Botchan confessed about going to the hot spring while on night duty because it's funny how he confessed it seriously about the irresponsible yet light mistake that he had made. Everyone burst out laughing when he said that and he was offended because he didn't understand why they were laughing. He says, "What a worthless bunch! I'd like to see them try to stand up and openly admit that they had done something wrong- of course they couldn't, which is probably why they were laughing." (p72) He takes great pride in admitting this small wrong action that he made, which is usually not a big deal for a more mature person. A mature person would not go to the hot springs during night duty, but even if he did he would apologize and admit any mistake that he makes and take responsibility. It's impossible for Botchan to gladly admit his wrongdoings and forget about it.
I thought it was unpleasant to be in Botchan's place because the whole world seems cynical and nothing goes right in his point of view.
Question: Why is Kiyo so fond of Botchan? Why did she want to enter his grave?
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Post by Hiba Rashid on Sept 29, 2015 1:13:27 GMT
Kiyo kind of reminds me of the servant, Ubatake, from "Sansho the Steward." Both of them have spent most of their lives caring for the children and don't really have a family of their own. Kiyo does have a nephew, but she has a much closer bond with Botchan. Also, Kiyo's treatment of Botchan is well beyond that of Ubatake's towards the children. But, I still see some parallels between the two characters. If Kiyo was suddenly separated from Botchan in the same way that Ubatake was separated from the children, I feel like Kiyo would have reacted in a similar way. I don't think she would be able to live with herself knowing that she couldn't protect Botchan.
For that reason, I believe that Kiyo sees Botchan as a family member or even as her own son. She feels a certain responsibility over him. It seems that because she raised him since since his youth, she understands him on a much deeper level than others. Everyone, in and outside of Botchan's family, sees only his negative characteristics. Botchan also seems to view Kiyo as more than just a servant, but as his caretaker and someone who raised him. I remember being surprised that Botchan does not once miss his parents after their death, but he constantly thinks about Kiyo and longs to be with her.
To answer the second question, family members in Japan tend to share a tombstone/grave. As we talked about in a previous class, the ashes of all the family members go into a single grave. Therefore, I believe that Kiyo really does see Botchan as family and that is why she wants to be in the same grave as him.
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Post by Alan Wong on Sept 29, 2015 16:44:00 GMT
I think that at first, Kiyo was fond of Botchan just because she was hired to help with raising him, among other things. Raising a child naturally develops a special relationship between the child and caretaker. When Kiyo saw the disparity in the way Botchan's father treated him and his brother, I believe that she felt something like a combination of pity and responsibility for Botchan, so she tried to make their relationship closer. Somewhere along the way, she decided that if nobody else would believe in him, that she would. In this way, she poured all of her greatest hopes and aspirations on him. Despite knowing how unrealistic such things usually are, they nevertheless usually leave a mark on the recipient and I think the same can be said for Botchan.
Kiyo probably wanted to enter his grave since her relationship with Botchan was stronger than the relationships she shared with her own family. After being with him so long, I agree with Hiba in that she probably felt like she was part of his family and thus wanted to be in the same grave after her death.
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