ENGLISH REVIEWER (THE STORY OF THE AGED MOTHER) Flashcards
Who is the Author of The Story of the Aged Mother?
Matsuo Basho
A ruler with
absolute power and authority.
Despotic
Meaning to be indicative.
Suggestive
Meaning to be uncivilized.
Barbarous
The mountain of the
“abandoning of aged”.
Obatsuyama
To draw into wrinkles especially
with a loss of moisture.
Shrivelled
A wise attitude, belief, or course of action.
Wisdom
To move or act quickly.
Hastened
A Japanese feudal baron.
Daimio
Formally put an end to a system.
Abolish
Brown rice, unpolished
Unwhitened rice
What disrupted the
otherwise peaceful life of
the poor farmer and his
aged mother? What was
the reason for this? (first order)
Disrupted by a cruel proclamation issued that ordered all aged people in the province be put to death. Shining had a fear of aging and failing health, which lead to this order.
Why did the despotic leader send a proclamation? (first order)
He was deeply afraid of aging and the decline of his strength and health. And didn’t want anyone to take his place.
What did he order the people to do? (in the first order)
Ordered the people to put to death all aged people in the province.
Did the farmer obey the first order? Why?
Yes, the farmer initially obeyed the order not wanting to go against the despotic leader but immediately got touch to his mother’s wisdom and later on decided not to obey.
As they were climbing the mountain, what did the mother do so that her son would not get lost when he returns to the village?
She stretched forth her hand and snapping the twigs from bushes as they passed, then dropped a handful every few steps as they climbed up the mountain.
What was the second order of the government? Was the order accomplished?
Shining demanded his subject should present him with a rope of ashes. And yes it was accomplished?
What did the mother tell his son to do from the second order? Describe how they did it.
She told him “make rope twisted straw” and “then stretch it upon a row of flat stones and burn it there on the windless night.”
Was the governor satisfied with the story of the poor farmer? Cite the lines of the king.
Yes Shining was satisfied indicated in these lines:
“Shining needs more than strength of youth,” he said gravely. “Ah, that I should have forgotten the well-known saying, ‘with the crown of snow, there cometh a wisdom!’”
What did the governor do with his cruel law?
Shining later then abolished the rule.
What do you mean by this saying, “With the crown of snow, there cometh a wisdom.”
The saying means that with age comes wisdom. The governor realized that older people have valuable knowledge.
