The Sound Of Waves By Yukio Mishima

Nature is a powerful force that impacts the lives of human beings. In Japanese culture, nature is regarded with great respect. In the novel The Sound of Waves by Yukio Mishima, nature is relied upon and it plays a vital role in the lives of the characters. Since the main setting of the novel is an island, Uta-jima, the characters live alongside nature. The characters respect and depend on what nature has to offer and are often rewarded by nature. Mishima effectively develops the influential role of nature and the idea that the characters rely on nature, and in return nature assists benevolent individuals.
The characters in the novel respect and depend on what nature has to offer. On the island of Uta-jima, the inhabitants live with the nature …show more content…
Shinji views the vast sea not just as a beautiful object, but rather a powerful and helpful force that protects the island. Shinji believes that the sea takes care of the island’s needs by only bringing and keeping “the good and right things”. The sea is personified and given human traits, making it seem like the sea is physically looking out for the islanders. By describing Shinji’s acknowledgement of the sea and what the sea does, Mishima demonstrates Shinji’s respect for the sea and all that it provides for the citizens of Uta-jima. Furthermore, Shinji, being a fisherman, depends on the sea for his work. He and his fellow fishermen are only able to work on days when the weather allows it. Therefore when there is a huge storm, Shinji is relieved since “[a] day of rest from fishing [seems] never to come” (64). The fishermen on the island work hard in order to feed their families, since the sea is an important source of their food. The fishermen depend on the sea in order to survive, however, they are also always glad when it is not possible to set sail. Although nature assists the islanders by providing them with food, it also acknowledges the fishermen’s longing for rest. The fishermen …show more content…
To start with, Shinji and Hatsue are both pure individuals who value their culture and traditions. When Shinji and Hatsue are sharing an intimate moment during a storm, the couple almost loses their purity, which is something that should be saved until after marriage in their culture. Shinji and Hatsue are in a trance, but Hatsue finally comes to her senses when she exclaims, “’Pine needles – they hurt’” (76). The pain from the pine needles is what brings Hatsue back to reality and makes her realize that what she is doing is immoral. Both Shinji and Hatsue know that their culture demands purity before marriage, and when they are at a moment of weakness, the pain from the pine needles, a part of nature, is what makes them realize that their actions are immoral. Mishima shows that nature helps the two lovers stay pure because they are individuals who honor their culture and know what is right or wrong. Additionally, Hatsue is a woman who wishes to stay pure until marriage. Therefore, when Yasuo tries to rape her, she is infuriated and frightened of what might happen to her. Hatsue is ashamed of what her friends and family might think if Yasuo succeeds. While Yasuo is attempting to rape Hatsue, a hornet stings him multiple times and “while he [is] dancing about” trying to catch the hornet, “Hatsue… [runs] toward the stone steps” (92). Hatsue would have no longer been pure had it not been for the hornet who