OSAMU DAZAI’S
THE SETTING SUN
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree ofSarjana Sastra
in English Letters
By
LUTFI HANDAYANI Student Number: 044214014
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAMME DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS
FACULTY OF LETTERS SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
OSAMU DAZAI’S
THE SETTING SUN
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree ofSarjana Sastra
in English Letters
By
LUTFI HANDAYANI Student Number: 044214014
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAMME DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS
FACULTY OF LETTERS SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
YOGYAKARTA 2009
REPRESENTED BY KAZUKO’S FAMILY IN OSAMU DAZAI’STHE SETTING SUN
Dra. Th. Enny Anggrai ni, M.A January 9, 2009
Adventi na Putranti , S.S. M.Hum Januar y 9, 2009
Yang bertanda tangan di bawah ini, saya mahasiswa Universitas Sanata Dharma :
Nama : LUTFI HANDAYANI
Nomor Mahasiswa : 044214014
Demi pengembangan ilmu pengetahuan, saya memberikan kepada Perpustakaan Universitas Sanata Dharma karya ilmiah saya yang berjudul :
The Dec lin ing of Jap anes e Ari sto crac y aft er Wor ld War 11 Rep res ente d by Ka -zuko’s Family in Osamu Dazai’sThe Setting Sun
besert a peran gkat yang diperl ukan (bila ada). Dengan demik ian saya member ikan kep ada Pe rpu sta kaa n Uni ver sit as San ata Dha rma hak unt uk men yim pan , me -ngalihkan dalam bentuk media lain, mengelolanya dalam bentuk pangkalan data, mendis tribus ikan secara terbat as, dan mempub likas ikann ya di Intern et atau media lain untuk kepentingan akademis tanpa perlu meminta ijin dari saya maupun mem-berikan royalti kepada saya selama tetap mencantumkan nama saya sebagai penulis.
Demikian pernyataan ini yang saya buat dengan sebenarnya.
Dibuat di Yogyakarta
Pada tanggal : 19 Februari 2009
Yang Menyatakan
will all be ok. If
it’s not ok, then
it’s not the end!"
(Jason Castro)
For
MyBeloved Parents
andBrother
thank my advisor Dra. Th. Enny Anggraini, M.Awho always helps me in making this thesis by guiding me and giving me advice to finish my thesis, then Adventina Putranti S.S. M.Hum, my co-advisor, who gave a lot of suggestion and correction.
Then I dedicate this thesis to my father Sugiyo Prayitno, my mother Siti Romlah, and my brother Nur Yudha Bakti Prasetyo. The big family of Tukiman Mulyoharjono especially my cousins Ati, Topo, Happy, Hera, Jal, Jatu, Artono, Dwi, Iyas, Jaya, Ama, Enggar, Bagus, Ewi, and my beloved nephew Gerald and Rizky.The big family of HarjowironoespeciallyYuni.
This thesis cannot be finished without the help from my best friend Putuand Nyoman, my friends who have the same advisor dita ndutz, elin, tiny,my classmates siska, pita, disti, sheilla, indri, amel, nofi, Martha, caca, astrid, dita, nanang, risky, lisis, ucok, ison, feme, sis, jati, soni, cory, ririn, dede, Edward, santi, acid, fian, tony, gallon, my KKN friends dika, udel, aily, patje, nicey, iwan, wiwin, verty, my “Jalesa” friends abim, bambang, benar, charin, gaplex, ucox, pak jink, mas casli,My BMJ friendshenry, dedi, joko, ndeot, my BI friendsitok, joko, reni, puji, slamet, my travelmates bli komang, arne linhorst, andreas maass, my CS friends Andrei, ayu, setyo, albert, vira, yosi, mariza, adit, Guido, my Holland friendsErnst, Richard, Chantal, eva, maryke, Patrick,andBastian.
Lastly I would like to dedicate this thesis to Alessandro Nesta who always keeps my spirit of loving and fighting.
Lutfi Handayani
APPROVAL PAGE……….………. ii A. Background of The Study……… 1
B. Problem Formulation……….. 3
C. Objectives of the Study………... 3
D. Definition of Terms………. 3
CHAPTER II: THEORETICAL REVIEW A. Review of Related Studies……….. 5
B. Review of Related Theories……… 7
1. Theory of Characterization………. 7
2. Theory of Setting……… 9
3. The Relation between Literature and Society……… 10
C. Review on the Historical Background……… 11
1. The Social Condition in Japan before World War II……….. 11
a. Society………. 11
b. Hierarchy………. 12
2. The Social Condition after World War II……… 14
a. Society………. 14
b. Hierarchy……….. 17
D. Theoretical Framework………... 18
CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY A. Object of the Study……….. 20
B. Approach of the Study………. 21
C. Method of The Study………... 22
CHAPTER IV: ANALYSIS A. The Description of Major Characters and Events happening to them……. 26
B. The Social Condition of the Declining Aristocracy after World War II represented by each Character……….. 39
CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION………... 52
War II Represented by Kazuko’s Family in Osamu Dazai’s The Setting Sun. Yogyakarta: Department of English Letters, Faculty of Letters, Sanata Dharma University.
The Setting Sun is the one novel of Osamu Dazai’s which tells about the declining of aristocracy in Japan. The existence of Japanese aristocracy is declining after the World War II, after 1945s. The life of aristocrat before the World War II was precious, wealthy, and powerful. The Setting Sun represented some aspects of Japanese aristocracy which is declining.
In this study, there are two problem formulations to guide the analysis. The first is to describe the major characters and the events happening to them. The second is to describe the social condition of the decline of Japanese aristocracy after World War II represented by each character.
The methodology which is used to accomplish this undergraduate thesis is library research. Many references are collected from books and supporting sources from internet. Socio-historical approach is applied in this study to analyze the main characters and depiction of the declining of Japanese aristocracy.
The finding after analyzing the novel, there are three major characters. They are Kazuko, Naoji, and The Mother. Kazuko is intelligent and well-educated woman. She loves her family. When she looses her treasury, she works as a coolie to fulfill her family’s need. She is a protective sister, although sometimes she feels jealous to Naoji because mother loves Naoji more than loves Kazuko. As an aristocrat, her marriage was planned, but finally she divorces her husband. Naoji is Kazuko’s brother. He is proud of being an aristocrat but he looses his power and treasury after World War II. He has to join the army and he is sent off to the battle field. In the end he commits to suicide because of economic condition. People around him jeer him because of that condition. The mother is a real aristocrat. She is gentle and has taste and good manner. Finally she dies when she is in the poor condition. The social conditions which show the decline of Japanese aristocracy are the arranged marriage, the lost of the power and the treasury. Kazuko represents an aristocrat woman who fights against planned marriage which is usually done by the aristocrat. Naoji represents an aristocrat who looses the power and treasury. He cannot struggle for his life. The mother represents an aristocrat woman who is still proud of being an aristocrat although she is poor.
War II Represented by Kazuko’s Family in Osamu Dazai’s The Setting Sun. Yogyakarta: Jurusan Sastra Inggris, Fakultas Sastra, Universitas Sanata Dharma
The Setting Sun adalah salah satu novel karya Osamu Dazai yang menceritakan kemerosotan aristokrasi Jepang. Keberadaan aristokrasi Jepang merosot setelah Perang Dunia kedua, sekitar tahun 1945an. Kehidupan aristokrat sebelum perang dunia sangat makmur, kaya, dan mempunyai kekuasaan. The Setting Sun
merepresentasikan beberapa aspek aristokrasi Jepang yang merosot.
Dalam penelitian ini terdapat dua pertanyaan yang dirumuskan untuk memandu analisis. Yang pertama, mendiskripsikan karakter tokoh dalam novel dan kejadian-kejadian yang terjadi pada tokoh-tokoh utama. Yang kedua adalah mendiskripsikan keadaan sosial dalam kemerosotan aristokrasi Jepang setekah Perang Dunia Kedua yang direpresentasikan oleh setiap tokoh.
Metode yang digunakan untuk menyelesaikan skripsi ini adalah penelitian pustaka. Referensi yang digunakan dikumpulkan dari banyak buku. Sumber lai yang digunakan adalah internet. Pendekatan sosio-historikal digunakan untuk menganalisis karakter-karakter utama dan menganalisis penggambaran kemerosotan aristokrasi Jepang.
Hasil yang didapat dari analisis adalah ada tiga karakter utama, yaitu Kazuko, Naoji, dan Sang Ibu. Kazuko adalah wanita yang pandai dan berpendidikan. Dia sangat mencintai keluarganya. Ketika dia kehilangan harta bendanya, dia bekerja sebagai kuli untuk memenuhi kebutuhan hidup keluarganya. Dia adalah kakak yang sangat melindungi adiknya, walaupun kadang-kadang dia merasa iri kepada adiknya yang lebih disayang ibunya. Sebagai seorang aristokrat, di dijodohkan, tapi akhirnya dia menceraikan suaminya. Naoji adalah adik Kazuko. Dia sangat bangga menjadi seorang aristokrat tapi akhirnya dia kehilangan harta benda dan kekuasaan setelah Perang Dunia Kedua. Dia harus bergabung menjadi tentara dan dikirim ke medan perang. Akhirnya dia memutuskan untuk bunuh diri karena orang-orang di sekitanya mengejek dia karena sekarang dia miskin. Sang Ibu adalah seorang aristokrat sejati. Dia adalah sosok yang lembut dan bercitarasa tinggi dan berkelakuan baik. Akhirnya Sang Ibu meninggal saat dia menjadi miskin. Keadaan sosial yang digambarkan mengalami kemerosotan dalam novel adalah perjodohan, kehilangan kekuasaan, kekuatan, dan harta benda. Kazuko merepresentasikan wanita yang melawan perjodohan yang biasa dilakukan oleh aristokrat. Naoji merepresentasikan seorang aristokrat yang kehilangan harta dan kekuasan. Dia tidak bisa berjuang untuk hidupnya sendiri. Sang Ibu merepresentasikan seorang yang masih bangga menjadi aristokrat walaupun dia miskin.
1 A. Background of the Study
Japan has very beautiful traditions, arts, and culture in the past time and even
today. They are very beautiful because most of them are high values. They also have
their own philosophy. The traditions are usually done by the noble people or aristocrat
families. The Japanese aristocracy is interesting to be talked about because the
existence was declining after the World War II. The life of aristocrat and noble people
in the past was precious. Most of them lived in wealthy condition and sometimes they
got a title or a noble from the emperor. After the World War II, the aristocrats had to
survive because of the different condition
The life of the aristocrats is strict and they must have very good manner in
daily life. They had to learn everything about beauty and art such as Ikebana, tea
ceremony, and eating properly. The marriage of aristocrat is done by having a
marriage arranged by someone with the same or higher rank than those being married,
as most had few opportunities to meet the future husband or wife. Most aristocrats
married the aristocratic family.
The Setting Sun, a novel by Osamu Dazai, tells about the aristocracy and its
declining in Japanese society. It represents the situation of Japanese aristocracy in
reality, as stated in the book Theory of Literature, Rene Wellek and Austin Warren
said
social institution correctly, it is false, it is the common place, trite, vague if it means only that literature depicts some aspects of social reality (1956:95)
According to Tsushima Shuji, the real name Of Osamu Dazai, he said thatThe
Setting Sunis a tragic story of life in postwar Japan, it is dealing with the fall of an
aristocratic family, and how tradition is destroyed by the war. Dazai created The
Setting Sun in 1947, when Japanese was in difficult condition because Japan was
defeated in World War II.
The Setting Sunalso created an immediate sensation when it first appeared in
1947. The phrases “characters of The Setting Sun” which came to be applied as a
result of the novel to the whole of declining aristocracy has now passed into common
usage and even into dictionaries. All the characters in this novel represent the typical
not only the aristocracy but also the larger class of Japanese who were impoverished
by the war and the succeeding inflation and land reform. (Keene, 1991: xiii-xiv)
The major characters’ characterization in this novel is very interesting to be
talking about because they have a relationship with the aristocracy life which
influences their life. Each family member has their own problem related to
aristocracy. Kazuko, she has a planned marriage which usually done by the aristocrats
and noble people but finally she divorced her husband. Naoji, he commits suicide
because after the World War II he becomes poor aristocrat and people around him jeer
him. He used to be proud of being aristocratic family. The Mother can do nothing, she
has to sell her treasury after the World War II.
The relation between the characters’ description and the decline of Japanese
aristocracy is worth discussing because at the end of the story, each character has
influenced by the aristocracy. There will be a comparison of the life in the novel and
the life in the real world. There also will be some findings about the similarities of the
life in the novel with the life in the real world.
B. Problem Formulation
1. How are major characters presented in this novel and what happen to
the major characters?
2. How is the social condition of the declining of Japanese aristocracy
after World War II represented by each character?
C. Objectives of the Study
In the end of making the thesis, the writer is expected to find out how the
major characters are presented and what happen to them. Then, the writer identifies
how the social condition of the declining of Japanese aristocracy after World War II
represented by each character.
D. Definition of Terms 1. Aristocracy
According to The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Japan, Aristocracy in Japan
deals with the rank powering system in Japan. There are eight basic ranks powering
the system in Japanese. One of them is aristocratic families. Aristocratic families
whose noble titles gave them access and hereditary rights to suitable bureaucratic rank
major inflection to the Chinese theory of ruling of meritocracy. Aristocracy can also
refer to the highest class in society even if they do not rule directly. (The Cambridge
5 A. Review of Related Studies
In Ivan Morris’ study about Heian aristocratic life in his book The World of
the Shining Prince: Court Life in Ancient Japan, it is shown that Japanese aristocratic
society developed to its fullest extent during the long Heian period. Aristocratic
culture of the Heian period is particularly fascinating because many of its values,
practices and customs differed sharply from those of today's world--in Japan or
elsewhere. A study of Heian-period life can therefore help to de-familiarize
contemporary cultural values that may seem obvious or "natural." Moreover, studying
the Heian period is simply interesting. It starts with basic information about the
aristocracy and then turn to select cultural values and aspects of their lifestyles.
In the same book, Morris also explains about the habit of Heian aristocrats in
spending their spare time. Most of Heian aristocrats are well educated people, so the
Heian aristocrats spent little time and energy writing scholarly essays and the like.
The majority of what they wrote was poetry, and sometimes poems even substituted
for memoranda in government offices. Nearly any event or occasion, public or private,
called for rounds of poetry. A person deficient in poetic skills would have been at a
serious disadvantage in Heian society. In their poems, the aristocrats delighted in
obscure references and plays on words. Poetry was the ideal medium for
In George Sansom’s study about the beautifulness in Heian period, The Heian
aristocrats made a cult out of beauty. Of course, what a Heian aristocrat might
consider beautiful, someone in different cultural circumstances might consider ugly.
In terms of personal appearance, for example, Heian aristocrats regarded white teeth
as ugly, particularly for women. "They look just like peeled caterpillars" wrote one
critic of a woman who refused to blacken her teeth. To blacken their teeth Heian
women applied a sticky black dye to their teeth so that their mouths resembled a dark,
toothless oval when open. This particular custom of blackening the teeth (haguro)
persisted until the 1870s among certain elite groups of Japanese women.
In Aryaningsih’s undergraduate thesis entitled A Study on the Major
Character’s Motivation in Revealing the Theme in Osamu Dazai’s The Setting Sun,
she reveals the motivation of the major character (Kazuko) to survive from her
desperate live. Kazoko has the high spirit of life. Inside, she has the motivation to be a
mistress and having an illegitimate child from her lover. These motivations make her
survive, and it revealing the theme of The Setting Sun, although her motivations have
contradiction with the proper etiquette in that time. In her effort, she finds a lot of
troubles but she concerns with her purposes. Finally, she gets her dreams.
Rimmer in the book Reader's Guide to Japanese Literaturesaid that Dazai’s
The Setting Sun became the symbol for people especially for the aristocrat who lost
their money, places, and their treasury at the end of the war. Dazai showed the
characters how to survive in that very bad condition of that era. The characters were
The story, told in a series of diaries, memoirs, and other documents, creates brilliantly the degraded and spent atmosphere prevalent in Japan at the time. (Rimmer, 1978:183)
According to Keene, the translator of The Setting Sun, the characters in The
Setting Sunare typical of modern Japan as seen in the main character, Kazuko. She is
described much ignores the Japanese morality and begin to stylist herself in western
culture. She attacked the proper etiquette in Japanese culture especially for the
aristocrat classes (Keene, 1991: x).
Osamu Dazai’s private life influences so much his works. In reading this
novel, The novel cannot be separated from the author, Dazai is not only the story teller
but also a participant (Keene, 1991:xiv). Dazai always creates his work based on his
experiences in his life. That thing is also shown in The Setting Sun, one of Dazai’s
masterpiece. He chooses the setting on aristocracy life like himself that bring different
motivation in creatingThe Setting Sun.
B. Review of Related Theories 1. Theory of Characterization
According to Abrams in the book A Glossary of Literary Terms, character is
person presented in a dramatic or narrative work, which are interpreted by the readers
who are given with the moral and the quality of emotion which are expressed in their
conversation or dialogue and their action (Abrams. 1993:23).
Murphy gives nine ways on how the author creates the character in his book
Understanding Unseen(1972: 161-173):
b. Character as seen by another: the author can describe the character through the
eyes and opinions of another.
c. Speech: the author can give us an insight into the character of one of the person in
the book through what that person says.
d. Past Life: by letting the readers learn something about person’s past life, the
author can gives us a clue to events that have helped to shape a person’s character.
e. Conversation of Others: the author can also gives us clues to a person’s character
through the conversations of other people and the things they say about the
character.
f. Reaction: the author can also gives us clue to a person’s character by letting us
know how the person reacts to various situations and events.
g. Direct Comment: the author can describe or comment on a person’s character
directly.
h. Thoughts: the author can gives us direct knowledge of what a person is thinking
about.
i. Mannerism: the author can describe a person’s mannerism, habits or
Idiosyncrasies which also tell us something about the character.
There are two types of characters which are defined by E.M. Forester in his
bookAspect of the Novel. They are flat character and round character. A flat character
builds around a single idea or quality and presented without much individualizing
detail. Therefore, he/she can be fairly and adequately describe in a single phrase or
character which is easily recognized and represented only, or mainly in one aspect. A
round character is a character that is always capable in surprising the readers in
convincing way. He/she is more like than the flat character because in real life, people
are not simply embodiments of single behavior. His/her temperament and motivation
are more complex that they are can not described in a single sentence.
2. Theory of Setting
Setting is a part of the complex perspective on people and action that is offered
to a reader, it helps to set the tone and the mood and it also helps to realize both the
character and the plot of literary work (Beaty & Hunter, 1989: 11). Setting is always
important to the way a piece of literature affects us and thus, it is an important element
to consider in reading.
Holman and Harmon (1986: 468), state that there are some elements which the setting
is composed. They are:
a. The actual geographical location includes its topography, scenery, and such
physical arrangements as the location of the windows and doors in a room.
b. The occupation, daily manner, and activities of living of the characters.
c. The time or periods in which the action takes place, for example: the year, season,
and epoch in history or scene of the year.
d. The general environment of the characters, for example, religious, mental, moral,
3. The Relation between Literature and Society
In writing novel, the author is usually influenced by his or her surrounding
aspects such as social, cultural, political, historical, and economic aspects around him
or her because the author is a part of society.
There is a relationship between literature and society as is stated by Rene Wellek and
Austin Warren in the bookTheory of Literature:
The relation between literature and society is that literature is an expression of society. It is assumed that literature at any given time mirrors the current social institution correctly, it is false; it is the common place, trite, vague if it means only that literature depicts some aspects of social reality (1956: 95).
The relation between literature and society is very close in which the reader
can catch literature as an expression of all society as well as in the author’s era
(Wellek and Warren, 1956: 95).
According to Elizabeth Langland inSociety in the Novelexplained that society in the
novels does not depend on points of absolute fidelity in an outside world in details of
costume, setting, and locality because a novel’s society does not aim at a mirror of any
real thing. The society in the novel is not always resemble or same with the society in
the real life. The society in the novel can be an independent aspect in a novel which is
not influenced by the outside world. Society in the novel cannot always be found in
the real world, but there is a possibility that we can find it in the real world, although
it is not exactly the same. Society in the novel might not be an absolute realistic mirror
society in our life (1984: 5). The society in the novel has a possibility to become a
social criticism in the real life of society.
Langland also explained that everything which is seen such as norms, conventions,
codes, background, places, peoples, institutions are included in society. But its
particular manifestations in a novel will be determined by its role within the work
(1984: 6-7).
C. Review on the Historical Background
1. The Social Condition in Japan before World War II a. Society
Reischauer explains in his bookThe Japanesethat there is a balance between
the individual and the group. The human race is made up of individual, but each is
born and for the most part lives his life in a group context. Japanese will be quite
content to conform in dress, conduct, style of life, and even thought to the norms of
their group (Reischauer, 1980:127).
In Japan, there are many kinds of group that make their own society. They
usually influence other societies and offer more of a sense of individual
self-identification. Aristocrats and noble people are the examples of group society in Japan
(Reischauer 1980:132).
To make the group system successfully, the Japanese group society try to
avoid open confrontation. The way to avoid confrontation and their maintain group
taken is arranged marriage. The official go-between couple is particularly employed a
central role in arranging marriage ceremony it self (Reischauer 1980:135-136).
In the bookThe Japanese Reischauer said that they (the Japanese aristocrats)
passionately desire to own their homes, which is no means easy because of high land
values and many seek meaningful private. They think that by having their own home
is very meaningful, they have their own memories and their proud ness. Home also
showed their status in the society (1980:147). The more beautiful and high value, the
higher the social status.
b. Hierarchy
In the book The Japanese Today (Change and Continuity) Reischauer
emphasized that hierarchy in Japan undoubtedly derives in part from the long history
of hereditary power and aristocratic rules in Japan. Class divisions, hereditary
authority, and aristocratic privileges characterized all Japan’s pre modern history
(1977:149). A hierarchical structure is often achieved through election of officers and
the recognition of status by age and length of membership.
In the book the Japanese is stated that the Japanese consider different ranks,
status natural, inevitable. In fact, their interpersonal relations and the groups into
which the device are usually structure on the assumption that there will be hierarchical
differences (Reischauer 1980:157).
In the book The Japanese Today (Change and Continuity) Reischauer stated
that even the arts during the feudal times fell into the hereditary pattern. All artistic
skills came to be regarded as secret family possession to be passed down from father
flower arrangement, for instance, may be highly organized on a family pattern, and
the supreme authority in them may still be transmitted by inheritance (Reischauer
1977: 150).
In Japanese aristocracy, marriage was arranged. A person could not see her/his
future couple before the day of marriage and love didn’t give important role in
marriage. Lehmann also stated that
“In the case of the ideal aristocrat marriage, neither courtship nor pre-marital sex took place, the bride was chosen by the family in consultation with and through the help of an officially appointed go-between (nakodo) and the marriage was not so much a contract between individuals as between families; thus personal choice, of either groom or bride, had very little to do in the matter, nor, needless to say, did love.” (Lehmann 1982:97)
Marriage is the way to maintain aristocracy between families in Japan. The
families ignore the bride and the groom’s feeling. The bride and groom can not reject
because their marriage is already planned by theNakodo.
In Seth Friedman’s study entitledWomen in Japanese Society: Their Changing
Roles cited from (http://www2.gol.com/users/friedman/writings/p1.html) explained “Women could not own property, and according to a Portuguese trader, a woman's
"...husband may kill his wife for being lazy or bad." Women could learn to write only
hiragana, and thus were prevented from reading political and business transactions or
great literary works, which were written in the more formal kanji. Women were in all
ways subordinate to men.” Friedman actually wants to show that the position of
women were inferior. Women did not have their rights of education because men
placed them as “Queen” in their house and had to care of their children.
Traditionally Japanese women have worked until marriage and then they
The Japanese Today that woman should in youth obey her father, in maturity her
husband, and in old age her son still has some validity. He actually wants to show that
women are for men, from young to old.
In the book The Roots of Modern Japan, Lehmann stated “Japanese women
have suffered neither physical disgrace nor impairment: there was no female
circumcision in Japan, no binding feet, widows were not burnt at the pyre of their
deceased husband, nor were they forced to cover their faces with a veil. There were a
few custom associated with the female sex, though none of these were of a
particularly barbarous nature.” (Lehmann 1882: 89)
2. Social Condition after World War II
a. Society
Hirohito’s surrender broadcast was a profound shock to Japanese citizens
because many people knew that Japan’s military could get their victory but the reality
was the opposite, Japan could not get its victory and it was proven in the space for a
few minutes. But for many people, these were only secondary concerns since they
were also facing starvation and homelessness.
Japan faced the worst economic condition which is called Occupation era from
1945 to 1952. This condition made many people lost their treasures, they had to sell
their own thing for living.In the book Inventing Japan: An Unconventional Account
Occupation began, families were still selling off their possessions to make ends meet.
An Asahi Newspaper survey discovered in November 1946 that only 51 percent of
people survived on their wages alone. The rest relied on a combination and salaries
and what they called “Red Ink Income,” a euphemism for the sale of family
possessions”. It shows that the economic condition at that time was unstable. Many
families had to sell their own possession for their living. The impact was felt not only
poor people but also rich people such as merchant and aristocrat (Chapman, 1991: 8).
In the book Japan: A Documentary History, David J. Lu wrote about the
women condition after World War II, the legal position of women was equal to men, it
can be found in the rights clause in the 1947 Constitution and the revised Civil Code
of 1948. Women as well as men were guaranteed the right to choose spouses and
occupations, to inherit and own property in their own names, to initiate divorce, and to
retain custody of their children. Women were given the right to vote in 1946 (Lu,
1971:395).
The public role of women has changed markedly since the beginning of World
War II. During World War II the role of women changed. Almost 2.5 million men
served in the Japanese armed forces, this represented 10% of the male population or
17% of the male working population. At the end of the war 7,190,000 men were
serving in the armed forces. With millions of men removed from industry, women
found themselves working in coal mines, steel mills, field, and arms factories. With
their husbands gone, wives were now in complete control of the home. Japanese wives
found themselves doing double and sometimes triple duty as stated in Friedman’s
The role of the women also changed after The 1947 Constitution is
established. The 1947 constitution established the equality of sexes. In Article 14 is
said “there shall be no discrimination because of race, creed, sex, social status or
family origin.
Women have to work for their family because men are sent off to the war. In
the book Japan: A Documentary History, David J. Lu quotes from Sub-Lieutenant
Wada Minoru, the author of diary of Document 11, graduated from the First High
School and was a student of Law Faculty of Tokyo Imperial University when he
volunteered for naval duty. He told that he and many of his classmates were forced to
go to the battle field. Many students had to meet dishonorable fate because they were
sent off to the battle field. Many students of high schools also are also sent off to the
battlefield.
Many people were in depressing condition at that time, people committed to
suicide to finish their suffer. According to Peter Harris, Chief Editor of J@pan Inc
Magazine stated in http://www.japaninc.com/jin418 that suicide is become more popular in Japan. The bullying also increases the number of suicide among teenager in
Japan.
Suicide in Japan is caused by alcohol-drinking culture. According to Yukio
Mishima, Japanese nationalist writer, considers his suicidal end as a noble ‘Japanese’
act. He considers suicide as a ‘respectable” death. It means that suicide is the way to
maintain their proud. In British Journal of Psychiatry (no.188,2006) quoted from
In Japan there are many people addict to drug and drink. Elmer Irey stated in
the website http://www.drugtext.org/library/books/adopiates/chapter11.htm, many men addict drugs during the war, especially in Japan. Many people cultivate opium
because opium is the source of money. There is a huge market in Japan. There are also
so many demands for opium.
Another reason of suicide is economic reason. The bad economic condition is
also the caused of suicide. In Kayoko Ueno essay which entitled Suicide as Japan’s
major export? A note on Japanese Suicide Culture quoted from
http://www.espacoacademico.com.br/044/44eueno_ing.htm , it is stated that suicide cannot be separated with the economic recession and deficits of the social welfare
system.
b. Hierarchy
In Ben-Ami Shillony and Louis Frieberg (Chair in East Asian Studies, Hebrew
University of Jerusalem) study’s entitled Japanese Monarchy: Past and Present as
cited inhttp://sticerd.lse.ac.uk/dps/is/is512.pdfthe Japanese aristocracy, composed of the old nobility and the new peerage was dissolved. It can be proved in the Article 14
of the 1947 constitution said: "All of the people are equal under the law… Peers and
peerage shall not be recognized." This single sentence put an end to the aristocratic
class.
The postwar constitution of 1947 has cleared up all these problems. The
emperor is defined as “the symbol of the state and of the unity of people, deriving his
emperor’s function is described as purely symbolic and it is expressly stated that the
emperor shall not have power related to government (Reischauer 1980:247).
Soichi Watanabe explained in the book The Peasant Soul of Japan that the
nobility had been done away with, and the big commercial combines had been
dissolved (1989:149-150).
David J. Lu quoted from The Reconstruction in Japan about the private
property as stated in his bookJapan: A Documentary History. In The Reconstruction
of Japan in Section 2 is stated Limitation on private property.
Limitation on private property: No Japanese family shall possessed property in excess of one million yen. A similar limitation shall apply to Japanese citizens holding property overseas. No one shall be permitted to make a gift of property to those related by blood or to others or to transfer his property by other means with the intent of circumventing this limitation (Lu, 1997:413).
It showed that rich people could not increase their treasury because the limitation.
D. Theoretical Framework
The theories that the writer used for this novel are characterization, setting,
and theory of relation between society and literature. All of the theories are needed
because each theory has the contribution to solve the problem. The theory of
characterization is used to answer question number one. To know the characterization
of the characters can be analyzed by applying the theory of characterization. The
theory of setting is used to answer both questions. We can find the Japanese
aristocracy by using the time and place setting which will give us clue of event or era
that happen. The writer use the theory of relation between society and literature is also
and literature is used to compare the social reality in literature and in the real life.
After that, the writer will analyze the social condition of the declining aristocracy after
the World War II represented by each character. Finally, the writer draws a conclusion
about the social condition of the declining aristocracy after the World War II
represented by each character. Part C is used to compare the history in the novel and
the history in the real world and find the events in the real world which are
20 A. Object of the Study
The object of this study is a novel entitled The Setting Sun. This novel is
written by Osamu Dazai who has the real name Tsushima Shuji. The original title of
The Setting Sunis Shayo, it is known as one of Dazai’s masterpieces. The Setting Sun
was published to show the declining condition of Japanese nobility after World War II
and show how the tradition is destroyed by the war. Dazai also addressed many social,
human and philosophical issues through this novel.
The Setting Sun was written by Osamu Dazai in 1947 in Japan. It was
published for the first time in 1947 and it was translated by Donald Keene in 1956.
The influence of this book has made the term “people of the setting sun” (i.e., the
declining aristocracy) a permanent part of the Japanese language. Osamu Dazai is
leveled with other Japanese author such as Yasunari Kawabata, Junichiro Tanizaki,
and Natsume Soseki. The writer uses the novel published in Tokyo Japan by Charles
E. Tuttle Co. in 1997 by special arrangement with New Directions Publishing
Corporation, New York to analyze the work. This book is the sixth printing and it is
printed in Singapore. This novel has 175 pages and divided into 8 chapters, they are:
1. Snake, 2. Fire, 3. Moonflowers, 4. Letters, 5. The Lady, 6. Outbreak of Hostilities,
7. The Testament, 8. Victims.
The Setting Sun tells about the 29 aged woman named Kazuko who lived with
brother and her mother after she divorced her husband. She married her husband
because of arranged marriage, she had to marry a man who was an aristocrat. Her life
was getting worse since she and her mother had to move to small town in Izu. Her
mother died in Izu because of TB. Since her brother came back from the war, she also
had to help her brother in drugs addiction, and finally he made a decision to suicide.
When she was tired of that condition, she made a rebellion of herself, she did what she
wanted to do. She worked like an ordinary women, she wanted have a baby from man
she loved without married the man. It showed that her tragic life which is caused by
aristocracy could be solved by herself, her willingness to make herself happy.
B. Approach of the Study
Literary works such as novels, poems, and plays are always contain intrinsic
and extrinsic elements. According to Guerin in the book A Handbook of Critical
Approach to Literaturesaid that in analyzing a piece of literary work, it is not only the
intrinsic elements that are counted, but also the extrinsic elements such as author’s
biography and the historical background of the work (Guerin, 1979:20). The extrinsic
element that will be used in analyzing this novel is the social condition in Japan after
World War II. The story in this novel is influenced by the condition in that time which
made the characterization of the characters clearly appeared in facing that condition.
The writer considered that the socio-historical approach is the most suitable to
make a study of this novel. Rohnberger and Woods in the bookReading and Writing
Literature stated that socio-historical approach is an approach whose reference is
9). In the other words, socio-historical approach is an approach which is based on the
milieu where a work was created (Rohnberger and Woods, 1971: 9). Civilization here
means “the attitudes and action of a certain group of people and point out that
literature takes these attitudes and action as its subject matter (Rohnberger and
Woods, 1971: 9). It means that if we want to give comment, opinion, or argument, we
have to see the fact of the environment where the story is created. The history and the
social condition become the rule in making study of this novel.
C. Method of the Study
The method that is used in this study was library research. The writer has read
and collected data from books and websites about the character, characterization,
setting, aristocracy in Japan, theory on society, and social condition in Japan after
World War II. The writer has read many sources to get clear understanding and
enough information to make a study of the novel.
There are two kinds of data that are used by the writer. They are primary data
and secondary data. The primary data that is used by the writer is the novel Osamu
Dazai’s The Setting Sun. The secondary data that is used by the writer taken from
many various sources such as books, thesis, and dictionary which are used to give
more complete information such as New World of Literature, Reading and Writing
Literature,The Japanese, The Japanese Today (Change and Continuity), The Roots of
Modern Japan, Aspect of the Novel, Society in the Novel,andA Handbook of Critical
Approach to Literature. The websites which are used by the writer are
http://sticerd.lse.ac.uk/dps/is/is512.pdf, http://www.japaninc.com/jin418 ,and
http://www.drugtext.org/library/books/adopiates/chapter11.htm
The writer has done some steps to write this research. The first step has done
by the writer, the first step was reading the novel. Reading novel is not only read but
also understand the novel in details which is very useful in writing thesis. The second
step was reading and understanding the novel, the writer decided the topic of the
study. The third step was the writer collected many supporting sources to make the
thesis. After that the writer made problem formulation based on the topic chosen for
the thesis.
In analyzing the novel, the first step is analyzing the characterization of the
characters. The writer focuses on personal description, character as seen by another,
speech, past life, conversation of others, reaction, direct comment, thoughts, and
mannerism to understand the characters. After that, the writer is analyzing what
happen to the characters, their changes after World War II when aristocracy is
declining.
The second step is relating the characterization of characters with the setting
which is the social condition such as aristocracy, hierarchy, and women condition in
Japan before and after World War II which influence the main characters. After that,
the writer compares the society and the social condition after World War II in the
novel with the society and the social condition after World War II in the real history
of Japan. After that the writer shows the social condition of the declining of Japanese
steps are taken, the writer came to the last step which is summed up the study and then
25
The analysis is divided into two parts because the writer is going to answer
the problems formulated. First, the major characters are presented in the novel and
what happening to them. Second is the social condition of the declining aristocracy
after World War II represented by each character.
A. The Description of Major Characters and Events Happening to the Main Characters
There are three major characters in novel The Setting Sun, they are Kazuko,
Naoji, and the mother. First, the writer will to analyze all three characters, after that
the writer will analyze what happen to them after World War II.
1. Kazuko
Kazuko is one of the major characters in the novelThe Setting Sun. She is also
the narrator in the novel. Kazuko is an aristocrat. She has to have high manner, good
attitude, and proper etiquette. The way she uses the eating utensil shows that she is
different from other people (Dazai, 1997:5). It is usually done by rich, noble people,
and aristocratic famiy. Her mannerism when she eats shows that she is a real
aristocrat.
Kazuko is characterized as intelligent and educated woman. Her brother,
Naoji, writes her a letter before he committed suicide which is said that Kazuko is
intelligent and he has no worry about Kazuko’s life. Naoji is sure that Kazuko will
kazuko will find the right man to live with her, get married, and have baby from her
husband. From Naoji’s opinion about Kazuko, the writer conclude that Kazuko is
intelligent.
“Kazuko, you are beautiful (I have always been proud of my beautiful mother and sister) and you are intelligent. I haven’t any worries about you. I lack even the qualifications to worry. I feel sure that you will marry, have children, and manage to survive through your husband.” (Dazai, 1997:160)
Kazuko is intelligent because as an aristocrat, she gets an opportunity in her
education. As an educated woman, she has read many books. She is also interested in
many books. She borrows some books or some novels from her friends, the she reads
them. She knows many books which have the good quality (Dazai, 1997:89). It can
be seen when she narrates herself. From the fact, it can be concluded that she likes to
read many book and even popular books like The Cherry Orchard. It can be seen
when she has a conversation with her friend. She remembers a book entitled The
Cherry Orchard. She even suggests her friend to buy that book because she considers
that the book is good (Dazai, 1997:88).
She not only read the books but also understands inside the books, for
example when she contrasts herself with the character of Nina inThe Sea Gull when
she wants to have baby from man who is a novelist, Mr. Uehara as she reveals her
thoughts.
“I am not in love with an author, like Nina in The Sea Gull. I am not fascinated by novelist. If you think me a “literary lady” or anything of the kind, you are off the track. I want a child from you.” (Dazai, 1997:89)
Kazuko is also characterized as loving and caring to her family. She knows
what they want, for example, when Naoji returns from war, she prepares Naoji’s
exactly what Naoji wants. She knows not only the dish but also the condition of the
room as shown in her narration when she prepares the meal for Naoji, she also puts
brighter electric lights in the dining room to add some cheers (Dazai, 1997:58).
She loves her mother very much but sometimes she feels that she is rejected
by her mother because she thinks that her mother loves her brother, Naoji, more than
her. Her feeling of being rejected appears after Naoji returns from war. Actually she
wants to live with mother forever, she can do anything to make her mother happy, by
fulfilling her mother’s need, and she even can be a coolie worker. It can be seen in
her speech to her mother.
“Didn’t you say once it was because of me, because you had me, that you were going to Izu? Didn’t you say that if you didn’t have me you would die? That’s why I’ve stayed here without budging from your side and here I am wearing these sneakers because my only thought has been to grow vegetables you would like. Now you hear that Naoji’s coming home, and suddenly find me in the way.” (Dazai, 1997:46)
She can do coolie work to fulfill what her mother’s need. She considers that poverty
is nothing as long as her mother loves her. She wants to stay with her mother in her
mother’s side. But, she feels that her mother loves Naoji more than love her. She even
asks her mother whether her mother loves Naoji more than her (Dazai, 1997:47).
She is jealous to Naoji because she feels that her mother using her to
accompany her and become a servant for her mother while Naoji in the battle field,
and she also feels that her mother wants to send her away after Naoji returns from the
battle field. Kazuko feels that she is fool so that her mother can take advantage from
Kazuko. From the conversation between Kazuko and her mother, it can be seen that
“You deceive me. Mother, you’ve deceive me. You were using me until Naoji came. I’ve been your servant, and now that you no longer need me you’re sending me away.”
“You are very foolish,” Mother’s voice as she spoke these words was shaking with anger.
I lifted my head. ”Yes, I am. I’ve been taken advantage of because I’m fool. You’re getting rid of me because I’m fool. It’s best I go, isn’t it? Poverty— what is that? Money—what is that? I don’t understand such things. I had always believed in love, in my mother’s love, in that at least.” (1997:48)
The jealousy of Kazuko is also shown in her narration. She thinks that it is painful for
her to realize that Naoji has become the mainstay of Mother’s pleasure in life. She
feels pain in her heart because the Mother always considers Naoji is her pleasure
(Dazai, 1997:103).
Although she is jealous to Naoji, she protects him so much. She will not let
her brother Naoji to drink Saké offered by anyone because she knows that Saké will
more ruin her brother. She wants to replace her brother to drink Saké. What she does
is only to protect her brother. She knows that Naoji will loose his awareness if he
always drinks alcohol. She protects Naoji by replacing Naoji to drink the Saké even if
she has to drink alcohol every night (Dazai, 1997:91).
Kazuko also pays Naoji’s debt although she has difficulties to give Naoji
some money. She is newly wed so she feels that it is improper to send money without
telling her husband. She has to sell her bracelets, necklaces, and her dresses that she
brings from her mother’s house to save Naoji from the pharmacist who gives Naoji
drugs. Kazuko narrates herself.
Kazuko’s marriage finally comes to an end not because she helps Naoji but
she has planned marriage. Kazuko and his husband married in their young age and
their marriage is planned by their parents to maintain their nobility not because of
love. She does not know anything about love. She does not even understand with
simple affection. Finally, Kazuko realizes that their marriage is meaningless because
she married wrong man.
"I was so frightened that I shook all over. I realize now that my husband and I were both very young. I did not know what love was. I did not even understand simple affection. Marriage was meaningless unless it were to a man with taste like this." (Dazai, 1997: 76)
All that conditions make Kazuko feels sick of being an aristocrat, so she
makes a kind of rebellion. She wants to leave her home and goes to somewhere else
that she can. She completely rejects herself of being an aristocrat. She will leave
without taking anything (Dazai, 1997:47). She said in his speech that she is sick of
being aristocrat.
After World War II, their condition is completely change, especially Kazuko.
Naoji is sent to the battle field so she has to live with her mother. They used to live in
their house in Nishikata Street in Tokyo, but now they have to move to small
Chinese-style house in Izu because they have to sell their house. They also have to
dismiss all the servants.
“But with the end of the war everything changed, and Uncle Wada informed mother that we couldn’t go on as we were, that we had no choice but to sell the house and dismiss all the servants, and the best thing for us would be to buy a nice little place somewhere in the country where the two of us could live as we pleased.” (Dazai, 1997:16-17)
After they move to Izu, they have to fulfill their need although they get
fulfill their need, Kazuko works as a coolie worker. Mother asks Kazuko to stop her
work, to replace her income for being coolie worker mother will sell her clothes to
live better and even buy expensive vegetable. Mother wants to let Kazuko spends the
money as they please, for whatever useless things they feel like even extravagant life.
Her mother gives an opinion to Kazuko that it is unreasonable for mother to expect
Kazuko to spend everyday working like a farmer wearing sneakers in the field (Dazai,
1997:49).
After she has failure planned marriage, she fights against planned marriage
because she knows that not every marriage comes to happy ending. Her marriage
comes to an end because they do not love each other. From her conversation with her
brother, she stated that she fights against planned marriage and she will become a
revolutionary.
“I—“ the tears came, “I have somewhere to go.” “A marriage? Is it settled?”
“No.”
Self-support? The Working Woman! Don’t make me laugh!” “No, not self-support. I will become a revolutionary.”
“What!” Naoji looked at me with an odd expression. (1997:120)
Now, after her mother and her brother died she wants to be free and she wants
to do anything what she wants to do. She loves Mr. Uehara, an author who has a wife
and children, but she does not want marry him, she just wants to have baby from him.
She becomes a woman what Nietzche described as “a woman who wants to give birth
to a child”. She thinks that happiness does not interest her. The most important thing
for her now is having a child and brings up the child (Dazai, 1997:86&89). She writes
Finally she is pregnant and it is Mr. Uehara’s child. She writes him a letter that she is
happy now because her dream to have a baby comes true. She feels as if she does not
loose everything. She considers the baby within her will become the source of her
solitary smiles (Dazai, 1997:172).
According to Forester about the round character, the character’s
characterization will change. Kazuko’s thought explain how her characterization
changes. She does not want to live in sadness. She will fight no matter what the
condition.
“I could not remain forever immersed in my grief. There is something for which I absolutely have to fight. New ethics. No, even, to use the word is hypocrisy. Love.” (1997:129)
She lives alone now, she must lives without her mother and her brother, and
she must continue her life now. She tries to be grown up, not childish anymore. She
realizes that her life is now getting harder and harder. For her life is not as simply as
before, so she puts more struggle and face the world (Dazai, 1997:124). From her
thought, her struggle is clearly seen.
2. Naoji
He is also an educated person. He studies in a university, but he has to stop his
study because he is called up to go to the battle, he is sent off to some island the
South Pacific. It can be seen through Kazuko’s narration.
Kazuko’s narration tells that Naoji is an educated person Naoji is interested in
literature when he first enters his high school. He fanatically can absorb literature. He
loves literature very much (Dazai, 1997:9).
In his family, he is considered as trouble maker. Kazuko notices that when
Naoji returns from the battle field, she believes that there will be many problems will
occur after Naoji returns to their home. Kazuko narrates that the real hell begins if
Naoji returns from war (Dazai, 1997:52).
Actually Naoji does not want to join war but it is his duty for his country.
When Kazuko asks him something about the South Sea after he returns from the war,
he does not want to tell anything because he wants to forget anything about war. He is
very happy when he returns to Japan. He does not want to miss anything during his
way home. He sees the rice field looked unbelievably beautiful from the train
window, something that he misses in the past six years (Dazai, 1997:59). The
conversation between Kazuko and Naoji shows it.
Naoji cares to his family. After he returns from the war, he notices his mother
and his sister change in the past six years when he is in war. He knows that her
mother does not suit with their new life, being poor. He also notices her sister is
tougher than before. It is clearly seen in his conversation with his sister Kazuko after
he returns from war.
“How do you find mother? Changed?”
“She’s changed all right. She’s grown thin. It’d be best for her if she died soon. People like Mama are not meant to go on living in such a world like this. She was too pathetic even for me to look at her.”
“How about me?”
The bad character of Naoji is that he considers woman as his pleasure. He is
known as a spoiled child by people around him and people think that his character is
bad. He takes woman who he likes to his home. Someday, he comes to a club with a
woman, she looked like a dancer (Dazai, 1997:131). And it can be seen from
people’s conversation about Naoji.
“I’m told he’s taken up dancing. He’s probably got a dancer for his sweetheart now.”
“Naoji’s not a very economical type—women on top of liquor!” “That’s the way Mr. Uehara planned it.”
“Naoji’s character must be bad. When that kind of spoiled child goes bad—“ (Dazai, 1997:141)
Actually he loves a woman although he plays with many women. He is in love with a
woman very much but the woman is the wife of other man. The husband of the
woman is a middle-aged painter. He is painfully in love with her. He tells it to
Kazuko in his letter (Dazai, 1997:162).
As an aristocrat, he has his own problem, especially in making a relationship.
It is difficult for him to make friends because he is an aristocrat. He has to change
himself to be accepted as common people’s friend. He becomes coarse, then he starts
using drugs, he opposes his father’s blood, rejects her mother’s gentleness, and colds
to his sister. If he does not do so, he will not be accepted as common people’s friend
as stated in his letter.
Because of all his problems, he realizes that sometimes he regrets of being a
member of aristocrat family, he thinks that they are condemned to spend their whole
life in humiliation, apologies, and abasement.
“I wonder if we are to blame, after all. Is it our fault that we were born aristocrats? Merely because we were born in such a family, we are condemned to spend our whole life in humiliation, apologies, and abasement, like many Jews.” (Dazai, 1997:158)
After World War II, Naoji is known as drugs addict when mother tells Kazuko
that Naoji is safe and he is going to return home. Mother also tells Kazuko that Naoji
becomes a serious opium addict. The report about Naoji is told by a journalist who is
in the war with Naoji. It is very unpleasant report (Dazai, 1997:44).
The evidence that Naoji is in serious opium addiction can be seen in his
journal. Naoji writes a journal about his suffering from narcotic poisoning in his
notebook which is entitled “Mooflower Journal” which is found by Kazuko when
they move to their new house. Kazuko narrates it.
“I picked up one of Naoji’s notebooks from an open crate. The words “Moonflower Journal” were written on the cover. The notebook seems to have been kept while Naoji was suffering from narcotic poisoning.” (Dazai, 1997:62)
Besides a narcotic addict, Naoji also has drink addict. From his speech, it is
clearly seen that he is a drunk. He even has a habit to drink alcohol every night
(Dazai, 1997:58).
From Kazuko’s narration, he will spend his time in drinking place and go to
Tokyo, for drinking of course. After his money is empty, he comes back to his home,
takes money, clothes, and mother’s jewelry, and sells them to buy drink again. He
“While he is here he spent most of his time at the local drinking place, and once every couple of days he takes whatever money, clothes, mother’s jewelry and sold them. When he had exhausted himself in drinking in Tokyo, he would come staggering back, his face deathly pale, like a patient in the last stages of some terrible disease.” (Dazai, 1997:81)
When he is in narcotic addict, he gets another problem. He has a lot of debts
to the pharmacist who gives him drugs. He is no longer rich, he has no money to pay
his debts. He even does not have any valuable things to pawn. Then, he asks his sister
Kazuko to help him to pay his debts without mother knows about it. He asks Kazuko
to pay his debt because he does not have any more money (Dazai, 1997:64). He
writes it in his journal.
After becomes poor, he wants to spend his time with common people because
many people who have higher social class do not want to spend their time with Naoji
because he is poor now. Naoji wants to spend his time with people do not look to be
respected. But such good people will not want to spend their time with him (Dazai,
1997:66). It is shown in Naoji’s statement in his letter to His sister Kazuko before he
decides to suicide.
In his letter to Kazuko, he writes that he is jeered because he is a poor
aristocrat. He is also called cheap pride aristocrat by people around him. He cannot
say anything or quarreling anything with people about money because he has no
money anymore. Because of the pressure he gets from people around him, he
commits to end his life, suicide.
3. The Mother
The Mother is the third major character. The Mother is described as a real
aristocrat. Mother is the genuine article of aristocrat. Her attitude shows that she is
real aristocrat, for example when she eats. The way she sits, uses the spoon, show the
etiquette that she has well manner. In that time, the only rich people or noble people
have well manner like that because they are forced to do so.
“Mother, on the other hand, lightly rest the fingers of her left hand on the edge of the table and sits perfectly erect, with her head held high and scarcely so much as a glance at the plate. She darts the spoon into the soup and like a swallow—so gracefully and cleanly one can really use the simile—bring the spoon to the mouth at a right angle, and pours the soup between the lips from the point” (Dazai, 1997:4-5)
When Kazuko has problem, she accidentally starts a fire and almost burn their
house, she feel very guilty because many people around her blame her. She is also
afraid that mother will get angry. But, mother is not angry with her and says that
everything is ok and will be alright. Kazuko feels happy to have mother like her. She
feels that she is lucky to have gentle mother. From Kazuko’s narration, it is shown
that the mother is gentle.
“I was swept by a wave of happiness. I remembered from childhood Monday school classes the proverb in the bible,”A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver,” and I thank God from the bottom of my heart for my good fortune in having a mother so full of tenderness.” (Dazai, 1997:33)
As an aristocrat, she must have valuable and high quality things around her.
She has very good taste in choosing many kind of things around her. She knits a
glove for Kazuko, she chooses the color which is looked good for the snowy winter
“I had for the first time understood what good taste is. Good taste. Mother had chosen the pale rose wool she knew just lovely it would look against the snowy winter sky, but in my foolishness I had dislike it” (Dazai, 1997:55)
The Mother actually loves Naoji more than she loves Kazuko, even when she
is with Kazuko. She is thinking about Naoji all the time even when she eats. She is
giving up all her hopes that Naoji will return from the war. When she eats, she thinks
that all foods in her table are too much for her. She wishes that she can share the food
with Naoji. She always remembers that Naoji probably does not eat in the war. From
her speech is known that she loves Naoji very much (Dazai, 1997:9).
The Mother still loves Naoji even if Naoji makes her life into sadness. Naoji
seems does not realize that he hurts her mother. His attitude which becomes coarse
makes her mother very sad. The Mother is always thinking about him even when he is
not in her side. From Kazuko’s narrator is revealed that mother still love Naoji more
than she loves Kazuko although Naoji makes her sad.
“Naoji started to lead a life almost like a delinquent, causing Heaven only knows how mush grief to mother. And in spite of his dreadful behavior, mother thought of Naoji as she ate her soup and uttered that cry.” (Dazai, 1997:9-10)
Although is hurt by Naoji, the mother follow what is said by Naoji. When she
has a tongue trouble, tell her about a treatment which she must wear gauze mask. She
accepts without any doubt what Naoji is suggested like a little girl. It is clearly seen in
the Kazuko’s narration. Actually, Kazuko is shock because mother always believes
what Naoji says to her. She accepted what Naoji says without a word. Mother looks
like a little girl.
After breakfast I soaked some gauze in Rivanol solution, as Naoji had directed, folded it into a mask, and took it to mother. She accepted without a word and meekly tied the strings around her ears. She looked as she lay there pathetically like a little girl” (Dazai, 1997:60)
After the World War II, the mother has to sell her treasury to fulfill their needs
because she does not have any income. She sells her house, clothes, and her jewelry.
She also has to move in her new house. Through her speech, it is revealed that she has
to sell her treasury to fulfill their needs.
“Kazuko, we’ll sell our clothes. We’ll sell our clothes one after another and use the money just as we please, for whatever useless things we feel like. Let’s live extravagantly. I don’t want to let you work in the fields anymore. Let’s buy our vegetables even if they are expensive. It’s unreasonable to expect you to spend everyday working like a farmer.” (Dazai, 1997:49)
Thing that she regrets the most is selling her house and have to move to the
small village in Izu. She feels being forced to move to the new house and live without
any servant. She loves her house very much because she lives in that house so many
years. Through Kazuko’s narration, it is clearly seen that the mother loves that house
very much and she feels being forced to move. She will live on a life which is full of
misery in a cottage without a single servant. She never lives without any servant
before (Dazai, 1997:20)
Mother considers the house as the best thing he has. She has a lot of memories
in that place. She wants to die in that house because she wants to die in the place
where her husband died. She has many beautiful memories with her husband and her
family in that house. From the mother’s speech, it is shown that she really does not
want to leave her house. She is very sad because she will loose her memories in that
“Mother suddenly burst into tears,”The best thing for me would be to die. I wish I could die in this house where your father died.” She spoke in broken accents, weeping more and more convulsively.” (Dazai, 1997:19)
B. The Social Condition of the Declining of Japanese Aristocracy after World War II Represented by Each Character
The social condition of the decline of Japanese Aristocracy is shown in the
novel. The social condition of the decline of Japanese aristocracy is also happen in
the real world. The characterization of the characters and the events happening to
them show the decline, and to relate the story in the novel and the story in the real
world, the setting is used to compare both conditions, and finally show the social
condition that is represented by the characters.
The time setting ofThe Setting Sunis before and after the World War II, and
the place setting is in Tokyo, Japan. According to Holman and Harmon, the setting of
time is known from the history that happens in that time (1986: 468). The World War
II ends in 1945, and the setting of the story happens before and after the World War
II. In the novel, Naoji is sent off to the war to some islands in the South Pacific when
he is in the university (Dazai, 1997:9).
The time when Naoji is sent off to the war shows that the setting of time
before the World War II. Naoji is sent to the battle field to help Japanese army.
