Disrespect in The Sailor who Fell From Grace with the Sea and Wonderful Fool

1572 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: psychoanalysis of the sailor who fell from grace with the sea

Disrespect in The Sailor who Fell From Grace with the Sea and Wonderful Fool

Throughout various works of world literature, respect is a major concern amongst the characters. This manifests itself in how the relationships between characters in the work are characterized. Sometimes lack of proper respect can be an auxiliary cause for conflict, while in other cases it can be the root of it. In Japanese culture, respect is considered very important in the relationships between different people; for example, it is customary to bow to one's elders and respect those of superior knowledge and ability. Failure to show such respect is taken offensively and considered extremely disrespectful. This important concept of disrespect is quite prevalent in both The Sailor who Fell From Grace with the Sea and Wonderful Fool, where the relationship characterization of the two main characters reflect this idea through the conflicts. In the former, Ryuji shows disrespect by patronizing Noboru, which causes conflict; in the latter, Gaston's lack of response to the gangster Endo's disrespect is an auxiliary cause to the main conflict between them.

In Yukio Mishima's The Sailor who Fell From Grace with the Sea, Noboru has a very high opinion of his intellectual acumen. "At thirteen, Noboru was convinced of his own genius (each of the others in the gang felt the same way) . . ." (Mishima 8). Noboru, along with the other members of his gang, view themselves to be mature and intelligent. They believe that societal hierarchy restricts their intellect. They feel it to be their "special privilege" and that "[the gang members] are the ones who do the permitting . Teachers, schools, fathers, society - we permit all tho...

... middle of paper ...

...ren are susceptible to this sort of flattery, and like it. However, since Noboru views himself as the farthest thing from a child, he is deeply offended; he views this patronization as disrespect. In Wonderful Fool, Gaston's unresponsiveness to Endo's disrespect becomes a secondary cause to the main conflict between them. Endo does not want Gaston around because to him Gaston represents sentimentality; therefore Endo tries to get rid of him by verbally berating him and at one point striking him. These conflicts resolve in different manners, however this concept of disrespect is a contributing factor to those conflicts and provoke the antagonism of each work.

Works Cited

Endo, Shusaku. Wonderful Fool. London: Peter Owen Publishers, 1995.

Mishima, Yukio. The Sailor Who Fell From Grace with the Sea. New York: Vintage International, 1993.

Show More
Related

  • Boston Tea Party Analysis

    826 Words  | 2 Pages

    (140) It was during this time period that “the government in London concerned itself with the colonies in unprecedented ways…to help raise funds to pay for the war and finance the empire.” (Forner 141) The British government was heavily in debt after fighting the Seven Years War on several fronts. The need to raise funds was paramount and the colonies were a ready source. The British government started imposing taxes on the colonies as a means of income. This was a change in the relationship between America and the mother country. Many Americans opposed these taxes. (Forner 142- 143) According to Forner, “Opposition to the Stamp Act was the first great Drama of the revolutionary era and the first major split between the colonist and Great Britain over the meaning of freedom.” (142) This act was eventually repealed by Parliament in 1766 after great opposition by Americans. (Forner 144) The Stamp Act was just the beginning of several events and taxes on the colonist leading up the Boston Tea

    Read More

  • Samuel Chase

    1727 Words  | 4 Pages

    In the year 1786, at the pressing invitation of his friend, Colonel Howard, he removed from Annapolis to Baltimore. By this gentleman, he was generously presented with a square of ten lots of land, upon a spot in which he erected a house, in which he lived until his death. On his removal from Annapolis, the corporation of that city tendered to him the expressions of their respect, in the following address: "Sir, the mayor, aldermen, and common councilmen of the city of Annapolis, impressed with a due sense of the services rendered to this corporation by you, in the capacity of recorder thereof, do take this occasion to assure you of their entire approbation of your conduct in the performance of the duties of that trust, and to acknowledge your ready exertion, at all times, to promote the interest and welfare of this city, They sincerely regret the occasion of this address, as your removal from the city of Annapolis will deprive this body of a faithful and able officer, and the city of a valuable citizen. You have our warmest wishes for your happiness and welfare.''

    Read More

  • Britain Vs the Colonies: The American Revolution

    788 Words  | 2 Pages

    Without colonial consent, the British started their bid to raise revenue with the Sugar Act of 1764 which increased duties colonists would have to pay on imports into America. When the Sugar Act failed, the Stamp Act of 1765 which required a stamp to be purchased with colonial products was enacted. This act angered the colonists to no limit and with these acts, the British Empire poked at the up to now very civil colonists. The passing of the oppressive Intolerable Acts that took away the colonists’ right to elected officials and Townshend Acts which taxed imports and allowed British troops without warrants to search colonist ships received a more aggravated response from the colonist that would end in a Revolution.

    Read More

  • The Importance of Respect in John Steinbeck's Cannery Row

    1550 Words  | 4 Pages

    Respect is something everyone wants in their society. If one is respected, it also brings on a self-comfort in that society. Mack and the boys showed that they had respect even though they were nothing more than bums. Doc always showed unselfish respect and was admired for that. Steinbeck does a perfect job of showing how respect from individuals has an affect on society. Cannery Row is a very humorous book, but it also has its points about respect hidden inside of it. One can find many places where Steinbeck shows the differences of respect in Cannery Row, and there are many more that are hidden in this humorous novel by John Steinbeck.

    Read More

  • Biography of Samuel Adams

    3777 Words  | 8 Pages

    Among those who signed the Declaration of Independence, and were conspicuous in the revolution, there existed, of course, a great diversity of intellectual endowments; nor did all render to their country, in those perilous days, the same important services. Like the luminaries of heavens each contributed his portion of influence; but, like them, they differed, as star differeth from star in glory. But in the constellation of great men, which adorned that era, few shone with more brilliancy, or exercised a more powerful influence than Samuel Adams.

    Read More

  • John Adams

    1303 Words  | 3 Pages

    John Adams was born on October 30, 1725 in the Massachusetts Bay Colony on the family farm. He was the older of two younger brothers, Peter and Elihu. John was named after his father John Adams Sr. His father was said to be the town's tax collector, selectman, constable and lieutenant of the militia. John Adams Sr. was the younger Adams’ role model. John’s parents gave him a lot of freedom. It was said that he doing activities outdoors and cared little for school. It is said that John’s stubbornness started at the age of ten when his parents were afraid that he was wasting his exceptional intellect. His father asked him what he was to do with his life and John said that he wanted to be a farmer. The next day his father took him out to the fields and worked him as hard as he could, hoping to teach him a lesson, but that night Adams sr. asked him if he was satisfied being a farmer and little John replied, “I like it very well sir.” Both of his parents were very surprised with his reply.

    Read More

  • The Clash of the Rapier in Shakespeare's Plays

    912 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Shakespeare's work Richard II , He talks about how honor is one of his highest priorities. “Mine honor is my life, both grow in one; Take honor from me, and my life is done; Then, dear liege, mine honor let me try; In that I live, and for that I will die” (Parrott, 1953, p. 308) This piece shows the intensity of one's need for honor. The act of insulting someone was a serious matter. By...

    Read More

  • Samuel Adams Research Paper

    810 Words  | 2 Pages

    According to the American Son Liberty, in 1766, “after much protest, especially form Boston, the Stamp Act was repealed, only to be follower by the Townshend Acts one year later.” Under the approval of the the State House of Representatives, he wrote the Massachusetts Circular Letter attacking taxation without representation and calling for unified resistance on the part of the colonies. March 5, 1770 the Boston Massacre, took place where an escaped slave was first killed and the was what set Samuel off to come up with the idea of Independence for the

    Read More

  • 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea

    994 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...e in an inferior position to oneself. With his respectful attitude, the captain is able to put his “guests'; at ease. “The island of Ceylon, noted for it’s pearl-fisheries. Would you like to visit one of them M. Aronmax?'; Offering options to those with little control over their lives bestows them with a sense of power, however false it may be. A courteous attitude goes a long way to establish positive long-term relationships among those who may be spending extended periods of time together.

    Read More

  • The Writings of Yukio Mishima

    852 Words  | 2 Pages

    Scott-Stokes, Henry. The Life and Death of Yukio Mishima. First ed. Vol. 1. Toronto: Doubleday Canada Ltd, 1974. 1 vols. Print.

    Read More

  • Samuel Adams

    1085 Words  | 3 Pages

    	The transition from England took a great leader and idealist in order to make it happen. Samuel Adams was that man. From founding the Son’s of Liberty to founding the first Continental Congress, Samuel Adams was there for the whole ordeal and played a major role until his death in 1803. Samuel Adams truly is the father of American independence.

    Read More

  • Why Do Kids Use Smart Guns Beneficial?

    1148 Words  | 3 Pages

    “Once installed only an authorized user can fire the gun, preventing children and other unauthorized users from firing the gun” (Safe Gun Technology). In addition to the missing weapon problem, this feature of smart guns can also prevent situations like kids playing with guns owned by adults. It is true that kids should never have access to dangerous weapons like guns, but in the case that kids find guns and play with them without the permission of their guardians, “had Nancy Lanza owned a smart gun, perhaps she, her son and the 26 people he shot in 2012 at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., might have lived” (Healy). There are countless incidents similar to the Sandy Hook Elementary School one, and most of these tragedies can be prevented by using smart guns instead of regular

    Read More

  • Non-conformity in The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With the Sea, Medea, and The Stranger

    1788 Words  | 4 Pages

    Non-conformity in The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With the Sea, Medea, and The Stranger

    Read More

  • An Analysis of Contrasting Elements in Yukio Mishima’s The Sailor Who Fell From Grace with the Sea

    1163 Words  | 3 Pages

    Mishima, Yukio. The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea. New York: Knopf, 1965. Print.

    Read More

  • The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With The Sea Character Analysis

    1398 Words  | 3 Pages

    Throughout history, there has been an inescapable struggle between instilling ancestral customs and following the path of progress through adaptation. Author Yukio Mishima experienced this struggle during the time he wrote the novel The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With the Sea as his political ideology leaned towards conservatism and preserving traditional Japanese beliefs such as the samurai lifestyle. Post World War II was a transitional period for Japan as it started embracing the Western mannerisms of the Allied countries. Mishima’s internal conflict between this dichotomy -- westernization and traditionality -- is represented in the novel through the character of Noboru. Noboru struggles between his immersion in traditional

    Read More

More about Disrespect in The Sailor who Fell From Grace with the Sea and Wonderful Fool

Open Document