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The Study on An Aspect of Soseki's Perception about Capitalism by Examining 『Mich Kusa』
日本硏究
2013,
(35), pp.219-241
Publisher : The Center for Japanese Studies
Research Area : Japanese Language and Literature
Publisher : The Center for Japanese Studies
Research Area : Japanese Language and Literature
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This study examined a money matter on Soseki's literary works by focusing on his capitalistic perception. Without exception, there were money matters entwined between the characters' relationships. Also, he raised a question about the dominance on money and negotiability which is one of the importance aspects in a capitalistic society. Especially I will study an aspect of his perception about capitalism by examining 『Mich Kusa』 which dealt a money matter in Soseki's personal life. In 『Mich Kusa』, Soseki was continuously drawing a drama which his money matter was entwined with Kenjo's past and his relationships. As around 10 years passed, it is confirmed that Soseki's reflective feelings were turned into negative perspectives about money through Kenjo, the main character. What Soseki wrote in 『Mich Kusa』 didn't investigate the structure which the privileged class exploited other classes. He also didn't write about human's behavior that a person does something evil because of lack of money. Soseki wrote about the reality how humans degrade themselves as they arouse desires for money. Soseki assumed that a person who degrades his dignity by being tempted by money (especially Simada) cannot be refined through education or courtesy since that is the person's nature. Soseki is thought that he wrote 『Mich Kusa』 to reflect his past. While he was writing, he realized he could not mention about his past not mentioning about relationships entwined with money. In addition, he depicted the reality that the dominance on money can affect a person's live. It was his intention to reveal the reality of human's life. In his work said Kenjo "Everyone wants money and no one wants anything else except money.” Soseki expressed his strong discontent in Kenjo's statement that a human who wants money more than spirit but stolen without anything spiritually. This is nothing but he perceived the dominance on money and negotiability which is one of the characteristics of capitalism.
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