N.P. by Banana Yoshimoto

Paper Summary:

This paper briefly discusses Banana Yoshimoto's novel 'N. P.' The paper sketches the outline of the story and then looks at the themes of fate and predestination which seem to suffuse the narrative. More than that the paper looks at how the patriarchal figure of Sarao Takase creates identities for his children and how these identities seem to fate them for unhappiness. The paper also examines the character of Sui Minowa and discusses how she has been marked by her relationship with Sarao.

From the Paper:

"Until fairly recently, Japanese women were deprived a voice in their nation's literary canon. However, shifting social and cultural tides have gradually changed things for the better. As a result, lovers of literature have been blessed with the emergence of bright new female talents like Banana Yoshimoto (1990), whose text, N.P., is a clever study of fate and of the tragedy that comes with being burdened with an identify crafted by someone else. In examining Yoshimoto's 1990 opus, this paper will argue that her book - albeit in a discursive, indirect way - is a commentary on traditional, patriarchal Japanese society and how fathers assign to their children - especially to their daughters - identities they must grapple with all their lives. "

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