Natsume Soseki's Kokoro
Anabella Morabito
Professor Thibodeau
English 202U
9 October 2012
Kokoro: An Exploration of Human Relationships
In his work, Kokoro, Natsume Soseki delves into themes of humanity which were being drastically challenged during the end of the Meiji era and the beginning of the modern period. The title of the book translates to something like “heart”, or “the heart of things”, which directly points to ideas of love, friendship, relationships, and the self; all of which Soseki surveys. But more importantly, in this book Natsume Soseki predominantly explores the notion of free will and solitude through the character of Sensei and the implications which our choices – taken under that free will we have been granted – can have on those who surround …show more content…
Soseki explores this idea through various relationships: it can be seen in the narrator’s relationship with his father as compared to his relationship with Sensei, it is also evident in all the romantic attachment, we can see it is in small ways with national events such as the death of General Nogi and the emperor, and the ways in which these two have a profound impact on the Japanese populace. Hence, all these relationships prove the interconnectivity of human beings as it is explored in Kokoro.
The most iconic relationship found in Kokoro is that of Sensei and the narrator. It is complex, yet in it there’s a simplicity that is rather touching. The way that Sensei and the narrator go for walks and talk of each other, or the way the narrator “considered conversation with Sensei more profitable than lectures at the university” (Soseki 22), or the way he respects Sensei’s wife and their home, these are all things which show us the importance of Sensei in the narrator’s life. However, a stark contrast which is drawn in the second part
Professor Thibodeau
English 202U
9 October 2012
Kokoro: An Exploration of Human Relationships
In his work, Kokoro, Natsume Soseki delves into themes of humanity which were being drastically challenged during the end of the Meiji era and the beginning of the modern period. The title of the book translates to something like “heart”, or “the heart of things”, which directly points to ideas of love, friendship, relationships, and the self; all of which Soseki surveys. But more importantly, in this book Natsume Soseki predominantly explores the notion of free will and solitude through the character of Sensei and the implications which our choices – taken under that free will we have been granted – can have on those who surround …show more content…
Soseki explores this idea through various relationships: it can be seen in the narrator’s relationship with his father as compared to his relationship with Sensei, it is also evident in all the romantic attachment, we can see it is in small ways with national events such as the death of General Nogi and the emperor, and the ways in which these two have a profound impact on the Japanese populace. Hence, all these relationships prove the interconnectivity of human beings as it is explored in Kokoro.
The most iconic relationship found in Kokoro is that of Sensei and the narrator. It is complex, yet in it there’s a simplicity that is rather touching. The way that Sensei and the narrator go for walks and talk of each other, or the way the narrator “considered conversation with Sensei more profitable than lectures at the university” (Soseki 22), or the way he respects Sensei’s wife and their home, these are all things which show us the importance of Sensei in the narrator’s life. However, a stark contrast which is drawn in the second part