|
As seen in many late modern Japanese Literatures, the so-called “ educated idler ” was depicted in forms with rich diversity, especially from the works of Soseki Natsume, where the image of “ educated idler ” became a widely recognizable symbol of its kind. During the late Meiji period, the term “ educated idler ” in general was used to referring to someone who had access to receive higher education but did not engage in any particular work activities. This study aims to unveil the diversified forms of “ educated idler ” appeared in modern Japanese Literature and to identify the transformation of its representations given the social and historical context of the time period.
In this study, I will be mainly focusing on Japanese writers Soseki Natsume, Ranpo Edogawa and Yasunari Kawabata, who had gained vast popularity in the late Meiji, Taisho and early Showa period respectively. Historical sources along with other references will be utilized in uncovering deep insights into characters that can be perceived as to have association with the image of “ educated idler ” to further highlight the diversities this representation truly possesses.
Overall, this study has identified that the “ educated idler ” appeared in the works of Soseki Natsume has commonly two types of representation. One embodies a form of civilization criticism, as depicted in "And Then" where the protagonist Daisuke criticizes the Capitalism-centered society surrounding him and expresses alienation towards his father who is still under the influence of Feudalism. The second type can be seen from the protagonist Keitaro of “ To the Spring Equinox and Beyond ”, who comes from rural region and finds himself in dilemma between the act of pursuing pleasure and effort to elevate himself from being an “ educated idler ” in the city. This representation shows similarity with the depiction of characters appeared in the works of Ranpo Edogawa, where “ educated idler ” becomes less critical of the society and more focused on one’s pleasure fulfillment. From this perspective, the male protagonist from Yasunari Kawabata’s “ Snow Country ”, Shimamura, can also be categorized as an “ educated idler ”, as he withdraws himself from facing the reality but often feels regretful in the process of pursuing pleasure.
|