Analysis Of Ryunosuke Akutagawa's In A Bamboo Grove

Ryunosuke Akutagawa wrote “In a Bamboo Grove” in 1922. Ryunosuke 's “In a Bamboo Grove” reflects the world at the time. “In a Bamboo Grove” Akutagawa gives the characters a sense of moral ambiguity. “In a Bamboo Grove” a murder has taken place during the story, there are many different perspectives of what actually happened to the man that was murdered. There are three different confessions about who killed the man. Ryunosuke Akutagawa used important literature that depicted different perspectives. It is an example of how gender and culture play a major role in each point of view in understanding and forming the truth. The wife acts like a woman, as she is expected to act, which makes her look weak and incompetent. She should have defended …show more content…
Masago was shown weak in the story by her expressions, her emotions, and her position. A woman being assaulted is the most insufferable experience one can go through. Masago thinks of she is worthless after getting raped. Masago also looked weak because her lack of virtue by getting raped. Her virtue with her husband was in jeopardy after getting raped. Masago got raped by a man, named Tajomura, who was the robber. The robber stated “Once your virtue is stained, you won’t get along well with your husband, so won’t you be my wife instead.” The robber stated that her husband could never forgive her for this happening even though it is not her fault. The robber suggest that Masago should be with him because they would be able to get along after the rape. Masago saw “Shame, anger, and sorrow” in Takehiro’s eyes after he saw her being sexually assaulted. If Masago would have acted more like a man and protected or defended herself maybe she could have fought off Tajomura. Masago relied heavily on her emotions Masago stated that “I was violated by the robber. Whatever can I do? Whatever can I…I… (Gradually, violently sobbing)”. By Masago saying this it makes her look weak and very vulnerable. Masago did not know what to do after being violated by the robber which makes her look incompetent. Masago felt that she lost her honor by getting raped. Masago also could have be more masculine and tried …show more content…
For example a samurai should act fearless until death. Japan had cultural expectations of men and women. Both men and women shared expectations: loyalty and courage. Men were expected to be loyal to their lords while women were to be loyal to their family and husband. Masago getting raped her loyalty to her husband was broken. The ascension of the Samurai code changed the place of women in Japan. Before the advent of the Samurai, Japanese society had been ordered largely on matrilineal lines. The influences of Confucianism, Buddhism and Samurai culture changed the place of women in Japan’s society. All of the influences were discriminatory to women. Bushido meaning is "the way of the warrior". Bushido talks about the ways of the Samurai. Bushido was also influenced by Shinto and Zen Buddhism. The Bushido have eight virtues: Righteousness, Courage, Benevolence, Respect, Serenity, Honour, Loyalty, and Self- Control. This are the virtues that they live by until death.
Masago should have acted more like a man in certain situations instead of acting like a weak and incompetent woman. Masago could have defended herself and kept her honor and virtue intact. By defending herself, Masago would have been seen as more masculine than feminine. Men generally defend their honor without looking weak. Masago could have showed more strength by being brave and not showing weakness to others. So by showing getting raped,