Reading Notes Week 10: Ichiyo, Part B


Ichiyo:

- Developed Realism in Japan without European influence.
- 19th century writer.
- Died at 24 of tuberculosis, had a writing career of only four years.
- Born as Higuchi Nastsu. Changed her last name in her pen name to Ichiyo, which means single leaf.
- Her final short story was called "Seperate Ways"

"Seperate Ways":
- Two main characters: Okyo and Kichizo
- Okyo is a seamstress from a poor family
- Kichizo (nicknamed Dwarf) works in an umbrella shop and is also poor.
- Okyo is moving away to become someone's mistress, because she is tired of living in poverty and whoever she is going away with will provide for her.
- Kichizo tries to convince her not to, but Okyo is convinced she has no choice.
- In the end, Kichizo tells Okyo not to touch him, and they have gone separate ways.


Flaubert:

- Lived as a hermit in a small French town in the 19th century but did some traveling to North Africa, Syria, Turkey and Italy.
- Was bi.
- Had a passion for writing but got discouragement from those who read it at first.
- His novel Madame Bovary got him tried for "offending public morals and religion" but he was acquitted.
- Had syphilis. Died in 1880 of a brain hemorrhage.

"A Simple Heart":

- A poor servant woman named Felicite Barette lives a very simple life.
- Her father was killed by falling off scaffolding. Her mother died in a way not described, which caused her sisters to leave home. She was taken in by a farmer to look after his cows and was abused. She eventually escaped, found another employer, and worked there most of her life.
- She had a parrot named Loulou who she loved so much that she had him stuffed when he died. When she dies, the last thing she sees is the vision of a giant parrot welcoming her to heaven.

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