The Gossamer Years Analysis

The Gossamer Years is a book about was a view of the issues that result from separation of the sexes in the structure of families in elite Japan. It examines these issues through the journal entries of a women going through some extremely tough material issues. I am left feeling after reading this journal that the woman must either be seriously depressed or bi-polar because she goes through so many ups and downs in her relationship with “the prince”. Her mixed emotions are interesting, because they have everything to do with separation of houses and the unfaithfulness of her husband. There are several instances like the birth of a bastard son that were brought on due to the separate households and made worse by cruel parading’s in public view …show more content…
For example the woman hears of sorrow and neglect of the Great lady and writes “the spider’s trail is lost in the empty sky; but perhaps I may trust the winds to ask of you,” so instead of just asking can you help or call on her you liken yourself to a spider and the wind your voice, really (Gossamer p. 41)? If I were in their shoes I would think that this roundabout way of looking at their issues or indecisiveness would only create more issues, even though it’s a prettier way to communicate with each other. She describes her lack of interest in seeing “the prince” by writing to him “What good can the grasses do, putting out their plumes in the harsh autumn winds?”, why not just say I’m not interested?(Gossamer p. 43). It is important to note that even when they are in the same residence according to the journal they communicate in a similar fashion, which leads to many arguments. This lack of communication in mixture with the constant back and forth separation is what I believe is the cause of the noblewoman’s misfortune and