JPN 306 Intro. to Japanese Literature

5/21/2001
Oba Minako

1. In what ways does Yuri deviate from conventional standards of female behavior? Why does she do this?

2. In what ways is this story dated? In what ways does it have an impact today?

3. Why does Oba Minako set her story outside Japan? Could this story be set in Japan?

4. What does Yuri have? What does she aspire to? Why can't she be satisfied with what she has?

5. Recall the scene where Yuri and her daughter are talking in the bathroom. What does this scene contribute to the story?

6. How does Yuri feel the morning after? How would you expect her to feel?

7. In what ways does Oba Minako force her characters to seek their identities in more authentic ways?

Last Update: May 21, 2001 -- Andrea Erickson
Dept. of East Asian Languages and Literatures    University of Oregon