The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea by Yukio Mishima: Noboru
World Literature Essay In The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea, Yukio Mishima portrays the intense and progressive development of his central character, Noboru, with the onset of adolescence. While the story takes place, particularly revolving around the interactions between Fusako and Ryuji as a couple, Noboru begins to embrace his adolescent nature and finds his own path in life. Adopting a lifestyle of “objectivity”, (49) the personal and external conflicts of Noboru’s life often question whether his indifference towards the world is reasonable (57). In his text, the author’s treatment of Noboru’s transformation can be examined on the basis of maturation, social conventions, and psychological factors in the deficiency of family dynamics. Maturity in life as well as in this novel plays a huge part in the development of character. As humans encounter the changes from a child to an adult, the period of adolescence is always one that cannot be forgotten. Rebellious nature and “phases” of lifestyle often occur which drives the youth to commit irrational actions. Thirteen-year-old boy Noboru has reached a milestone in his life where he faces challenges and additions to his life. Growing up under his mother’s wing due to his father passing away years ago, he has grown indifferent towards the world and is convinced of his own genius which firmly mounts his principles (Mishima 8). Building onto his development as a young adult, curiosity begins to implore Noboru to do the unthinkable in instances such as peeping through a hole that reveals his mother’s room (Mishima 10). Witnessing affairs such as sexual intercourse between his mother and Ryuji, the once idealized sailor becomes a traitor to Noboru thus disregarding everything he made the sailor out to be. As described by the chief, maturity is defined as perversion. This constant “betrayal” affects Noboru negatively and gives him no other option but to continue believing in objectivity as his prime source
Cited: Mishima, Yukio. The Sailor who fell from Grace with the Sea. New York City: Vintage Books, 1965. Print.