Shinji

Question 1

Shinji is first introduced through his job as a fisherman on the Taihei-maru.

Answer 1

He was still wearing the same clothes he fished in each day (p.6)

Question 2

Shinji is taking back the octopus pots from where they were set to trap octopi, a source of income.

Answer 2

Shinji was winning. But the sea was not surrendering: one after the other, mockingly, it kept sending the pots up - all empty. (p.16)

Question 3

Shinji walks the beach on his way to meet Hatsue at the ruined observation tower. The shell contrasts the more artificial attractiveness of Yasuo’s leather jacket.

Answer 3

At his feet there lay a beautiful small pink shell, apparently just washed up by the same wave. (p.67)

Question 4

‘Boarded’ refers to the white freighter seen in the distance on page 19. Now the ‘unknown’ it represented has become known, and resulted in ‘despair’ and ‘anguish’.

Answer 4

Once he himself had boarded the unknown and set sail, uneasiness and despair, confusion and anguish had joined forces and borne down upon him. (p.131)

Question 5

Shinji thinks about other lovers and their fates on Utajima, but cannot bring himself to betray his family.

Answer 5

Elopement? … Double suicide then? (p.131)

Question 6

Shinji waits for Hatsue at Yashiro Shrine, and needs only the stars to tell the time. This contrasts Yasuo and his pride in his watch.

Answer 6

…it was not surprising he should understand nature’s precise system. (p.132)

Question 7

Shinji swims through the storm to save the Utajima-maru, as a line must be fixed to an anchor buoy.

Answer 7

His movements were as useless as though he were trying to run through grease. (p.163)

Question 8

Shinji makes the return trip in his successful attempt to save the Utajima-maru from the typhoon.

Answer 8

Facing into the storm, he inhaled his fill of air and then dived into the sea for the return trip. (p.165)

Question 9

Shinji contemplates the role of his home in helping him get his heart’s desire; it implies that shelter from the ‘very bad ways’ outside the island is needed to achieve a truly beautiful existence.

Answer 9

It was this little island, enfolded in darkness, that had protected their happiness and brought their love to this fulfilment … (p.182)