Modern+vs+traditional


 * Modern Versus Traditional **

In Yukio Mishima’s novel __The Sailor who Fell from Grace with the Sea__, The modern society has quickly taken control of many of citizen lives. Although modern way of thinking and lifestyle is typically suited for the younger generation, Noboru's groups of friends all have a traditional point of view. This modern attitude shows a more care-free attitude, with more optimism while a traditional thought gives more a realistic and pessimistic tone. Although there seems to be a conflict between modern ways and traditional ways, the modern society and lifestyle seems to overpower the traditional side of Japan and its people, slowing influencing them to convert their lifestyle. Traditional and modern attitude and lifestyles are not only shown through characters, but also shown in the settings within the story. Traditional thoughts are often expressed by the younger members of society in the book, but also the poorer members of society, such as the housekeeper of the Kuroda house. Although traditional ways are expressed, there are many times when modern ways are overwhelming the traditional way of life. On page 51, the Noboru and his group of friends rant about the adults and modern thinkers and say "They don't even know the definition of danger. They think danger means something physical, getting scratched and a little blood and the newspaper making a big fuss. Well, that hasn't got anything to do with it. Real danger is nothing more than just living." Expressing a traditional way of life. "danger" is described as nothing more than living, which basically means danger is everywhere, and humans live life in constant danger where a pessimistic tone is shown, in contrast to the modern way of thinking, where danger is just simply physical pain, implying that people live under protection, which can perhaps show the naivety of modern thinkers and their optimism. On pg 108, the housekeeper recalls her past jobs and also talks about the Western influence and modern attitudes and says “New Year's Eve always meant a big party with lots of company. And at twelve o'clock on the dot everybody started kissing everybody like it wasn't anything!” Here, the modern attitude shows that modern people or sometimes Westerners are more barbaric and open, rather than the traditional attitude of politeness and subtleness. The phrase after that “he hung on like a leech or something” shows that the modern attitude and lifestyle overwhelming traditional lifestyles. The leech, which is a parasite, is used to emphasise the negativity of modern lifestyle, perhaps viewed as a corruption by the author Mishima. Modern attitude overwhelming traditional attitude is shown when Ryuji is playing around with Noboru. "Ryuji squashed Noboru's straw hat with the palm of his hand and laughed as the boy struggled to pull the brim up over his eyes." (Page 87) While the straw hat presented traditional lifestyle of a Japanese citizen, the crushing of the hat represented the modern influence overwhelming traditional thoughts and attitudes. The traditional ways are struggling to stay alive, and Noboru's struggle shows the weak side of the tradition.

The Setting within the story, like the characters also shows evidence of a modern influence within the society of Yokohama. The places have mostly been transformed after the war, rebuilt with modern architecture and design, perhaps to show the economic and technological growth of Japan. Although the rebuilding of the structure showed advancement in technology, the modern design was awkward and gave off a bad aura. On page 95 "Center pier was a curious abstraction of a neighborhood. The streets were unpeopled and too clean; the plain trees lining them were withered." showing that although the modern ideas and lifestyle has overwhelmed and taken over the traditional lifestyle, the people of Yokohoma hasn’t completely accepted it, perhaps that is why it was described as “unpeopled”. The fact that the author described the trees lining the streets were withered was perhaps to show the negative effect of modernization, and the fact that the streets were “too clean” showed, that the modern lifestyle was perhaps unauthentic. Again, another setting where infrastructure was rebuilt with a modern taste showed an unauthentic environment. On page 95 "Even the little railroad crossing seemed unauthentic, as though it belonged with a set of toy trains." The rail road is compared the railroad to toy trains, showing naivety of modern attitudes. The word “little” was used perhaps to mock the modern society and how it is naïve and too optimistic and perhaps blind to the dangers in life. word count: 750! Mishima, Yukio. __The Sailor who Fell from Grace with the Sea__. Trans. John Nathan. New York: Vintage International, 1994.