Literatus

THEMES Racism as a By-Product of Nationalism All of the Japanese characters exhibit a profoundly antagonistic attitude toward white people. The only explanation for this deep-seated hatred of whites and feeling of superiority toward them is offered through the experiences of Sadao in America. Yet, every one of his recollections proves to reference people who were kind, merciful or showing compassion toward him. If experience is the driving mechanism behind such comprehensive hatred and dismissal of millions of people simply due to the color of their skin, then Sadao’s racism can only be termed irrational. In this way, that racism is inextricably linked to the negative influence of nationalism. Since Sadao’s experiences do not align with his bias, it can only be explained as a condition engendered by a steady diet of nationalist propaganda. Duty vs. Self-Interest This theme is explored through two different men representing two distinct expressions of self-interest. Sadao knows it is hi...

 

Life during the second world war in Japan. Dr. Sadao Hoki and his wife Hana spot a dark shape in the surf that turns out to be a white man; a severely wounded soldier. At first, they agree to turn the man over to authorities as a prisoner of war. This makes only perfect sense considering not just the ramifications of treating his wounds, but that the doctor and his wife are both virulently racist nationalists who consider the Japanese to be superior to the white race anywhere in the world. They had met in America before the war and they only proposed because his father consented to his choice of a pureblood. Changing their minds in the face of the massive trauma exhibited by the man, the two agree to take him back to their home and treat his injuries as an act of humanitarian compassion consistent with their belief in the superiority of the Japanese people. They must inform their servants of this decision, of course. The servants are every bit as racially prejudiced and biased as their...

Dr. Sadao – a happy husband, father, and doctor Sadao was a Japanese surgeon. He studied in America and returned to Japan with Hana, a Japanese girl whom he met there, and married her in Japan and settled down comfortably. While most of the doctors were sent to serve the Japanese army in World War II, Sadao was allowed to stay home because he was wanted by the old General who was dying. But one night, an American soldier got ashore near Sadao’s house. The couple saw that it was an American Navy man and that he was shot, wounded, and was dying. Though unwilling to help his enemy, Sadao took the young soldier into his house and provided him with medical aid. He was in danger from that moment. His servants advised Sadao to let the American die but Sadao could not. He told them that he would turn the American to the police but the servants didn’t believe Sadao. They suspected Sadao’s honesty to Japan. They thought that because Sadao was in America for a while he had developed a love for Am...

  Characters Dr. Sadao Hoki – A Japanese doctor. He studied medicine in America and later returned to Japan. Hana – His wife, Japanese. The two met in America, became friends, and married there legally. It is unlikely that Hana was a medical student. Sadao’s father – A true, die-hard Japanese, blindly patriotic. He did not allow any foreign articles at home. The old General – Japan’s army General; Sadao’s patient. He was a cruel man in his prime years. Tom – An American soldier who got ashore near Sadao’s house following a serious injury. Tom was treated by Sadao. Yumi – Sadao’s maid, in charge of the babies. She was attached to the babies. Gardener – Sadao’s gardener, an old man, in service since Sadao’s father’s time. The cook – Sadao’s cook, an old man, in service since Sadao’s father’s time. An officer – A messenger of the General. Settings & Background The story happens in a coastal town of Japan. Most probably in the year 1941 following Japan attacking Pearl Harbor where ...