The Grasshopper And The Bell Cricket

The Grasshopper and the Bell Cricket, written by Yasunari Kawabata, is a visual literary piece. This short story uses many symbols and subtle messages to convey the theme of life, hope, and innocent love. Some of the symbols that supports the overall theme are the grasshopper and the bell cricket, the handmade and the store-bought lanterns in a variety of colors, and the scene where Fujio tried to get Kiyoko’s attention. Although it is seen through the images of varicolored lanterns and in the insect hunting, the theme is clearer in the last three paragraphs of the story. The use of a narrator to relay the observation on the children also aided in the build-up to the theme. All these visual imageries throughout the short story were not only

to add color and descriptions to the story, but had underlying meanings that symbolizes the theme.
The author, Yasunari Kawabata, begins with a narrator and ends with the narrator. The narrator’s words are the key visual elements, which conveys a deeper meaning to the readers. The narrator reveals valuable lessons that the children may need in the future. From the last three paragraphs, the narrator warns the children from heartache and disappointment. The narrator also reminds the children not to take things for granted. This is exhibited in the second last paragraph when the narrator warns, saying, “Even if you have the wit to look by yourself in a bush away from the other children, there are not many bell crickets in the world. Probably you will find a girl like a grasshopper whom you think is a bell cricket” (360). The two creatures, the grasshopper and the bell crickets, not only differ in outward appearance, but also in meaning. The bell cricket represents the treasures in life and the grasshopper signifies our mundane events in life that we neglect. The phrase, “. . . a true bell cricket will seem like a grasshopper,” supports the author’s life lesson about not taking things for granted (380).
Another visual image is seen when the narrator said, “Each day .

. . the children made new lanterns out of their hearts and minds” (378). The visual image of children earnestly making lanterns symbolizes the innocence and purity in which is lost among adults. The statement about the children making hand-made lanterns every day also symbolizes that beauty is perishable. External beauty may never last forever; it is always changing. This statement also represents that life is ever changing. Events and circumstances may cause life to change, and we often grow from these experiences. The theme of innocence and purity is also found when Fujio purposely waited for Kiyoko to ask for the “grasshopper” he caught. The innocent love formed between these two children, Fujio and Kiyoko, is reflected. The author uses this scene to show the readers that best thing in life comes from the purity and hope that is found in everyday life. Fujio was hoping that Kiyoko would want his “grasshopper”.

The image painted when the author describes the group of children on an insect chase with varicolored lanterns implied and symbolized that there are people of different personalities. The crimson, pink, indigo, green, purple, and yellow lanterns and the five-colored lantern all symbolizes the attributes found in life. The crimson-colored lanterns may represent the intense emotions that we have in life while the pink lanterns may signify gentle emotions. The five-colored lantern shows a well-rounded person. The lantern’s colors also symbolizes that life is not a one-way street or

path.
The theme of life is not to be taken for granted is explained in the various visual scenes. The story relates that our experiences in growing up is often accompanied by our distorted perception towards the world. We often neglect or are unable to discern what is valuable or not in this worlds. The author reminds all man to keep a crystal-clear heart like children as it enables us to differentiate precious and treasurable moments, events, and experiences from mediocrity.
The author was able to convey his insights I life through the symbolism in the visual images he presented throughout the story.