Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is implied about the woman's character through Shimamura's thoughts?
What is implied about the woman's character through Shimamura's thoughts?
What is symbolized by the 'evening mirror' in the passage?
What is symbolized by the 'evening mirror' in the passage?
What aspect of Japanese culture is highlighted in the passage?
What aspect of Japanese culture is highlighted in the passage?
What is Shimamura's attitude towards the woman?
What is Shimamura's attitude towards the woman?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the theme present in Shimamura's thoughts about the woman?
What is the theme present in Shimamura's thoughts about the woman?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the author's style characterized by in this passage?
What is the author's style characterized by in this passage?
Signup and view all the answers
What is Shimamura's profession or passion?
What is Shimamura's profession or passion?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the tone of the passage?
What is the tone of the passage?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the tone of the woman's conversation about literature and media?
What is the tone of the woman's conversation about literature and media?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the significance of the woman's conversation about literature and media?
What is the significance of the woman's conversation about literature and media?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the symbolism of the woman's conversation about literature and media?
What is the symbolism of the woman's conversation about literature and media?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the effect of the woman's conversation on Shimamura?
What is the effect of the woman's conversation on Shimamura?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the theme of the passage?
What is the theme of the passage?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the author's attitude towards the woman's character?
What is the author's attitude towards the woman's character?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the significance of the woman's profession as a geisha?
What is the significance of the woman's profession as a geisha?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the tone of the passage?
What is the tone of the passage?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the significance of the woman's obi in the story?
What is the significance of the woman's obi in the story?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the author's purpose in describing the woman's manner of dress?
What is the author's purpose in describing the woman's manner of dress?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the woman's knowledge of the Kabuki reveal about her character?
What does the woman's knowledge of the Kabuki reveal about her character?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the significance of the mountains in the story?
What is the significance of the mountains in the story?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the theme of the story in relation to the woman's past?
What is the theme of the story in relation to the woman's past?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the author's tone in the story?
What is the author's tone in the story?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the woman's story reveal about her character?
What does the woman's story reveal about her character?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the significance of the woman's age in the story?
What is the significance of the woman's age in the story?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
The Woman's Background
- She was a geisha who grew up in the snow country but was under contract in Tokyo.
- She was born in the snow country but moved to Tokyo to become a geisha.
- A patron paid her debts and set her up as a dancing teacher, but he died a year and a half later.
Her Conversation with Shimamura
- She talked enthusiastically about women's magazines, novels, and movies.
- She had a lonely and sad tone, suggesting she was starved for conversation.
- She discussed her past in a matter-of-fact way, but was less forthcoming about recent events.
Shimamura's Perspective
- He saw her as an amateur and not as a sophisticated geisha.
- He didn't feel guilty about deceiving her because he saw her as clean and innocent.
- He considered bringing his family to the mountain hot spring and having her as a companion for his wife.
- He had a detached view of her, seeing her as unreal, like a reflection in a mirror.
Cultural Context
- Shimamura grew up in the merchants' section of Tokyo and was familiar with the Kabuki theater.
- He studied Japanese dance and drama, writing research pieces and critical essays on the topics.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
This passage describes a woman's appreciation for literature in a rural village setting. She reads indiscriminately, borrowing novels and magazines from guests at the inn. Her reading habits and perspective on literature are explored.