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Snow Country

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Snow Country
In the novel Snow Country, by Yasunari Kawabata, he uses the concept of illusion to stress the struggle between maintaining reverie and reality. Kawabata presents a journey between two strangers searching for love in the midst of fantasy and the real world. He proves one’s happiness is another’s suffering. He shows how one’s illusion deters the problems he or she has. Kawabata, with great effect, presents a constant clash between the elements of illusion and reality to enforce the aspects of love and suffering. At the beginning, Kawabata introduces the concept of illusion. Shimamura, the protagonist, is introduced by examining the moving snowy landscape outside of the train window. Shimamura stares outside the window out of boredom, and finds …show more content…
As a result, she constantly ends up in Shimamura’s bed. Komako’s drinking plays a role the development of her love. Komako’s alcoholism and relationship is significant because this gives Komako the opportunity to distract herself from Yukio’s disease. Yukio is dying from intestinal tuberculosis. Komako, became a geisha to supporting his bills, is furious at him for dying. She blames him for her current situation and where her life has progressed. In response, she avoids him and his illness. Komako avoids Yukio because he is dying; however, she reveal her thoughts when Yukio requests her to meet him one last time, ‘“But I don't want to. I don't want to see a man die’” (Kawabata 84). Kawabata uses this quote to remind that Komako is a child. Kawabata uses the word “I” to great effect. This quote shows Komako is concerned about herself and not about Yukio. This quote exposes Komako’s selfishness and lack of empathy for others. In addition, her rejection of the reality emphasizes her immaturity. She does not take in consideration Yukio is suffering. Komako’s immaturity leads to the dismissal of Yukio’s pain and belief tragedy only happens to her. Komako’s response is ironic because she drinks to run from her problems; however, by drinking, she gets closer to what she is running from:
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