Sexism In The Sound Of Waves By Yukio Mishima

Japanese culture is one of the most well appreciated yet, sometimes intriguing and difficult to understand in comparison to certain other cultures. The differences between men and women, different religious ideologies and many symbolic beliefs are characteristics that makes this a culture of world-wide study by many people from other parts of the world. Because of its complexity to understand and learn, Japanese culture not only reflects this major differences in the present day, but it follows the tradition of the ancient culture. In fact, the author of The Sound of Waves, Yukio Mishima enhances the habits of the right and unique ways of this old culture in his main characters and there, touches several important themes found throughout the book in relation to sexism. By the use of imagery, Mishima exposes the subtle sexism apparent on the island of Uta-Jima based on gender roles, stereotypes and religious ideologies to distinguish the role of men and women within Japanese culture.

Mishima portrays gender roles to distinguish the role men and women had in the island of Uta-Jima. Gender roles become apparent as the novel progresses because Shinji is looking for a woman of beauty rather than of intellect or equality. That is why Chiyoko, “thinking of herself as unattractive” (Mishima 58) and being always so insecured of herself, she never believed she could marry the only man who was capable to tell her she was pretty, that is to say Shinji. Furthermore, the insecurity seen in women is not reflected in men, as Mishima introduces Yasuo, Shinji’s competitor, who feels he has the world in his hands and he can get Hatsue’s attention everywhere thinking she is in love with him, “there’s no doubt but what this girl has a fancy for me” (...

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... to her beliefs. Shinji had won Hatsue but never disrespecting her. While Mishima interacts with the theme of sexism in his characters and explore the value of traditional and religious values, the dichotomy between traditional ways and a more fluid morality still stands in our present society mostly developed in different religions.

Yukio Mishima in The Sound of Waves introduces the subject of sexism as an important element to differentiate between gender roles, concepts of stereotypes in men and women and Japanese religious ideologies. The problem of sexism is still seen in present days as a severe case of showing the differences between the roles a man and a woman have to have in their lives. It is important to know that Mishima is not the only writer who focus on making those differences clear even though is just pure reflection of the ancient Japanese culture.