Counselor Ayres Memorial And The Sound Of The Mountain Analysis

In the novels Counselor Ayres’ Memorial by Machado de Assis and The Sound of the Mountain by Yasunari Kawabata, there are common themes and motifs that are present in both books. There is a strong element of love (both romantic and familial) and of separation. These themes have significant effects on the characters and the plot. Both novels also present a similar message about life and the world. Although the novels have similar themes, they are expressed differently in each. One major theme in the novels Counselor Ayres’ Memorial and The Sound of the Mountain is love. Both novels present relationships with different types of bonds between the characters. There is the theme of romantic love shown through the recently established relationship

They have been married for over 25 years and their love seems to have grown even stronger over time. This is shown when Ayres’ notes that Dona Carmo “truly loves him [Aguiar], as much … or more than on the first day; this is the impression she left with me tonight” (Machado de Assis 106). In addition, when Ayres goes to the Aguiars’ silver wedding he says “The first thing that struck me was the couple’s perfect harmony” (17). They feel very strongly about one another and can’t bear being separated. When Carmo took a trip to Nova-Friburgo it was very hard on her husband. Their love for one another is very sincere. In The Sound of the Mountain, there is romantic love between Shingo and Yasuko. While the marriage is not exceptionally passionate, they are compatible with one another. After their long marriage of over thirty years, “Shingo did not think the marriage a mistake” (Kawabata 16-17). This shows that he is still happy with his decision to marry

Near the beginning of the novel, Fusako moves back to her parents’ home, bringing her two children with her. She left Aihara because he was not a good spouse and their marriage was very defective. It is suggested in the novel that Aihara may have been abusive. Shingo also reveals information that Aihara started peddling drugs. After discovering that Aihara attempted to commit suicide, Fusako and Aihara officially get divorced. Often times, Fusako gets angry with Shingo for letting her marry someone like Aihara. In one argument, Fusako tells Shingo how her husband was a mess and therefore she is mess. She then states “if you didn’t want it that way, then it would have been a very good idea for you to look into things before you married me off” (Kawabata 134). This shows that Shingo was not successful in setting up a sturdy marriage for his daughter and that causes tension between them, which has a negative effect on the entire family. Fusako’s separation also has a powerful on Shingo because he now has to provide for her again. Yasuko tells Shingo that she notices his “‘scowling face when she comes back and you have to take care of her and those two children’” (46). In addition, Shingo believes that the divorce will affect his family’s reputation. Furthermore, the separation has a negative effect on Fusako’s children. One passage explains that