1. Who was Francois Villon and why is he an appropriate model for Dazai Osamu?

2. Who narrates the story "Villon's Wife"? What story does she want to tell?

3. The wife's life revolves around what two males?

4. What does this story tell us about the collapse of male dominance in postwar Japan?

5. How is conflict resolution dealt with in this story?

6. What positive and what negative results happen to Mrs. Otani as a result of her husband's theft?

7. What different views do Mr. And Mrs. Otani have about life? In what way are their views similar?

8. In the end, how would you judge Mr. Otani as a person?

Hayashi Fumiko

1. Describe how Hayashi Fumiko's life was the opposite of Dazai's.

2. What sort of political stance did Hayashi Fumiko take to the issue of poverty in society?