Post by Wan X. Wu on Sept 30, 2015 4:00:48 GMT
Throughout the story, the idea of moral was brought up multiple times and the need for justice. The narrator criticizes characters in the story, calling them two-face or not a "man" because people aren't honest and not willing to stand up to admit and take responsibility for their actions. On the other hand, Botchan would compare action of others to himself, saying how he would never back down or deny what he's done. He believes that if you are to commit an act, you must also take responsibility for it. He's always trying to pursue the justice and moral he believes in, such as trying to have the students punished for playing pranks on him during his night duty. Other instances where Botchan turned down his raise cause of Mr. Koga and Botchan taking shots at Redshirt during the speech he had Porcupine give during Mr. Koga's farewell party. Although Mr. Koga's leave didnt involve Botchan but Redshirt did Mr. Koga injustice, therefore Botchan had to stand up for Mr. Koga.
Although Botchan had a strong sense of moral and justice, I sympathize him the most. He describes himself as strong but in reality he is so powerless. He lacks judgement and unable to read people, so sly people like Redshirt can easily manipulate him. For instance, after he went fishing with Redshirt and Hanger, he no longer knows whose good and whose bad. When he knows whats right and wrong, he lacks the power to express himself and his views.
One sentence that really struck out to me early on in the book was "the way the world is now you'd always be at a disadvantage unless you could present yourself in society as an educated man." (p.11). Later into the story, Botchan really portrays the meaning of this line very well. When he talks about his feelings how the principal Badger and assistant principal Redshirt are able to get away with not doing much, not having night duty and having higher pay just because they have a degree. It's something that I can relate to myself because I never graduated from high school and entered society, the differences between a educated person vs non-educated person can be seen. Although people can develop "street smart" to compensate the "school smart" that they lack, there are merits to being educated. Seeing the differences first hand made me return to school.
Question: Botchan and Kiyo's relationship seem more than just a servant and employer. Kiyo treats Botchan better than his own parents and Kiyo is always on Botchan's mind when he was in the country. Do you see a deeper relationship between them? How so?
Although Botchan had a strong sense of moral and justice, I sympathize him the most. He describes himself as strong but in reality he is so powerless. He lacks judgement and unable to read people, so sly people like Redshirt can easily manipulate him. For instance, after he went fishing with Redshirt and Hanger, he no longer knows whose good and whose bad. When he knows whats right and wrong, he lacks the power to express himself and his views.
One sentence that really struck out to me early on in the book was "the way the world is now you'd always be at a disadvantage unless you could present yourself in society as an educated man." (p.11). Later into the story, Botchan really portrays the meaning of this line very well. When he talks about his feelings how the principal Badger and assistant principal Redshirt are able to get away with not doing much, not having night duty and having higher pay just because they have a degree. It's something that I can relate to myself because I never graduated from high school and entered society, the differences between a educated person vs non-educated person can be seen. Although people can develop "street smart" to compensate the "school smart" that they lack, there are merits to being educated. Seeing the differences first hand made me return to school.
Question: Botchan and Kiyo's relationship seem more than just a servant and employer. Kiyo treats Botchan better than his own parents and Kiyo is always on Botchan's mind when he was in the country. Do you see a deeper relationship between them? How so?