Mishima also uses Chiyoko to reflect the many of the negative influences from the city. Mishima’s introductory description of Chiyoko’s appearance is negative, demonstrated by the lexical field of “unsociable”, “gloomy”, “perverse”. Her physical appearance is drab like the city (in Mishima’s opinion); and her face lacks the sparkle and glow of hard physical work (unlike the other island girls, particularly Hatsue whose face is healthy and refreshing). Chiyoko’s attire consists of “a plain, dark brown suit”, having adopted the “city look”. Mishima’s choice of negative diction presents Chiyoko as a miserable and gloomy character, insinuating the author’s disapproval of her characteristics which is the result of modern influences from the city.
Chiyoko “disliked having the islanders greet and speak to her”, which reflects her despise for her homeland and its people. She hated the island, instead “she longer for Tokyo where, even on a stormy day, the automobiles went back and forth as usual, the elevators up and down and the street cars bustled along.” Phrases “back and forth” and “up and down” used in the tripling create a structured yet monotonous tone, which may on life in the city – mundane and boring. “There in the city almost all nature had been put into uniform, and the little power of nature that remained was an enemy.” Mishima describes the city that Chiyoko longs to return as a place which lacks vigor and energy, which has influenced Chiyoko’s disposition. Mishima also conveys that the influence of modern Japan and its westernized society leads to the loss of closeness to nature, and therefore the loss of purity and morals when she attempts to break Shinji and Hatsue apart due to her jealousy.
Mishima also attempts to
Chiyoko has been affected emotionally by city life. She has become self absorbed and obsessive about her appearance. She believes she is ugly becuase she has been bombarded with images of what, and what is not, beautiful in the city. Chiyoko feels she falls short of this type of beauty that is promoted in movies and novels that she reads. She has become disillusioned, and lost her self esteem and identity.
Furthermore, Mishima utilizes Chiyoko as a foil character to Hatsue. Here, the juxtaposition used serves to heighten the discrepancy between the two characters, and to emphasize the positive attributes of Hatsue, and those negative of Chiyoko.
City – detached from nature
Mishima explores how the influence of modern Japan has caused people like Chiyoko to become detached from their home and nature.
Chiyoko influenced by city fashions: 'Boston bag'
Education – rude
Irony is employed when Mishima writes of the “refinements” that university in Tokyo has brought Chiyoko. Despite her education in Tokyo, Chiyoko has become
Irony of 'refinements' - despite learning these in Tokoyo, Chiyoko has actually beocome quite rude and unsociable in her behaviour. She even shows disprespect for her father who she blames for her ugliness.
Chiyoko has become affected and puts on a pretence/mask to hide behind. Unlike the natural beauty of the island girls who are unaffected and simple.
Chiyoko has lost her identity: she is no longer the simple island girl, yet she doesn't seem to fit into city life either. She has become: 'gloomy' 'brooded over her commonplace face'. She is dissatisfied with her looks.
Chiyoko has learnt not to trust men and is cynical towards them and love. 'Here it is again!' hints that she has experienced a lot of arrogant men in the city. She has come to have unrealistic and romantic views of love through the movies: 'I love you instead of You love me'
by
12tangb (student)
