Finals: Swaddling Clothes

Question 1

Who is the author of Swaddling Clothes?

Answer 1

Yukio Mishima

Question 2

Swaddling Clothes is aka

Answer 2

Shinbungami

Question 3

Swaddling Clothes is from

Answer 3

Death in Midsummer and Other Stories

Question 4

Where are the settings in “Swaddling Clothes”?

Answer 4

Settings:
Toshiko’s house
A nightclub in Tokyo
A park in Tokyo

Question 5

Who are the characters in “Swaddling Clothes”?

Answer 5

Toshiko
Toshiko’s husband
The nurse
The nurse’s baby/illegitimate child
Toshiko’s child
The man in the park
The doctor

Question 6

What are the themes found in the story?

Answer 6

Poverty vs. Wealth
Legitimacy vs. Illegitimacy
Pre-destined by birth
East vs. West
Tradition vs. Modernization
Desensitization
Classisms

Question 7

Scene where Poverty vs. Wealth can be found

Answer 7

The state of the nurse and her child vs. the state and treatment of the rich couple and their child.

Question 8

Does Modernizing mean forsaking Tradition?

Answer 8

NO!

Westernization ≠ Modernization

Question 9

What is Westernization?

Answer 9

“Conversion to or adoption of Western traditions or techniques” (Merriam Webster’s Dictionary).

Westernization is when the Eastern cultural element is replaced by the Western element, as well as the Eastern elements functional role (Naofusa par 2).

Question 10

What is Modernization?

Answer 10

Using the latest technology, methods, and information (Merriam Webster’s Dictionary).

Modernization is remolding the cultural system into a new mode (Naofusa par 3).

Question 11

What then predominates Mishima’s Swaddling Clothes?

Answer 11

Westernization overcoming Tradition