Differences between American and Japanese Thought Comparison Essay by tony22279

Differences between American and Japanese Thought
A comparison of American and Japanese values based upon Japanese literature and film as well as on Western perspectives on Japan.
# 128537 | 1,363 words | 7 sources | MLA | 2009 | US
Published on Jul 27, 2010 in Asian Studies (East Asian Cultures) , International Relations (U.S.) , Literature (American)


$19.95 Buy and instantly download this paper now

Description:

This paper discusses some of the differences between Americans and Japanese that are evident in comparing the culture, interests, and literature of each. The writer's main purpose is to view Alan Booth's "A Thousand Cranes, A Thousand Suns" from a new perspective. In order to do this, the paper relies heavily on Japanese literature as well as American film in order to demonstrate the differences between the two cultures. Ultimately, Americans cannot truly understand the Japanese culture because they have not lived within it as the Japanese people have.

From the Paper:

"A close look from the Japanese perspective of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima reveals some very different ideals between the two cultures of which many Westerners may not be aware. Emperor Hirohito's public speech announcing the surrender of World War II to the Japanese people, for example, demonstrates that losing a war was much more devastating to the Japanese than the enormous loss of life after the bombing. The speech is delivered in a manner which hopes to convince the Japanese citizens that the "[resolution] to pave the way for a grand peace" (Mount Holyoke College) - or surrender - is a rational decision which outweighs the dishonor of losing a war. He was very careful to avoid using such words as surrender so as not to blatantly admit defeat."

Sample of Sources Used:

  • Booth, Alan. "A Thousand Cranes, A Thousand Suns." Travelers' Tales: Japan. Ed. Donald W. George and Amy Greimann Carlson. Palo Alto: Solas House, Inc., 2005. 353-359.
  • Kenzaburo, Oe. "The Day the Emperor Spoke in a Human Voice." World Literature Today Winter (2002): 19-23. United States Military Academy Library. 15 April 2009 < http://www-internal.dean.usma.edu/departments/eng/en302/EN302%20Website/Oe%20Day%20the%20Emperor%20Spoke.pdf>
  • Lost in Translation. Dir. Sophia Coppola. Focus Features, 2003.
  • Mount Holyoke College International Relations Program Page. 9 April 2006. Mount Holyoke College. 15 April 2009 <http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/hirohito.htm>
  • T.I. "Ready for Whatever." Paper Trail. Trap Muzik. 2008.

Cite this Comparison Essay:

APA Format

Differences between American and Japanese Thought (2010, July 27) Retrieved September 25, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/comparison-essay/differences-between-american-and-japanese-thought-128537/

MLA Format

"Differences between American and Japanese Thought" 27 July 2010. Web. 25 September. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/comparison-essay/differences-between-american-and-japanese-thought-128537/>

Comments