-Patrick
Works Cited:
Saikaku, Ihara. “Life of a Sensuous Woman.” The Norton Anthology World Literature, edited by Peter Simon, Third ed., D, W.W. Norton & Company, pp. 591–602.
Friday, February 23, 2018
Week 5 Analysis: Close Reading of Saikaku
The paragraph of "Life Of A Sensuous" woman that really caught my attention began on the bottom of page 600, starting with "Eventually the head priest of one temple fell in love with me, and I agreed to become his temporary wife..." What interested me in this paragraph was how she exposed the monk's lives behind closed doors. The aging woman telling the tale was also very surprised about what she saw at the floating-world temple. Monks have always been portrayed as religious leaders and men who are setting examples to live by. What the woman sees however, is something a little different. She found out there are six days a month where the Monk's would not obey their abstentions. She said, "they vowed to rigorously limit their fish and poultry and their sex with woman to the nights of theses six days" (600). The monks would let loose on these six days and satisfy their pleasures and temptations. She continues on by saying, "the pursue their pleasures, they went all the way to Third Avenue in downtown Kyoto and visited places like the Koiyan Inn" (601). The older woman exposed the truth to these men that she is telling the story too. The men probably had no idea that Monks went out and slept with woman a few days of the month. I believe this passage of the story has a meaning and it is show that Monks are not as innocent as they are made out to be. Most days of the month the Monks are obeying their abstentions. "On other days, the men acted like model monks" (601). The Monks are always looked up to and are examples for their culture, however little to people know what actually happens behind closed doors.
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I didn't really understand her story at first but you give clear insight into the plot of the story. The Monks were the ones that were looked at as holy and they basically lead perfectly obedient life. Although this lady tells different with the detail of how they would use her to please themselves for six days. Thats crazy thanks for helping me understand further patrick.
ReplyDeleteHello Patrick!
ReplyDeleteI also found this paragraph the most interesting of the story myself! I think it is because the idea of someone being a "temporary wife" is such a foreign idea to us. Also, the monks having these secret lives that really weren't so secret. It's as if everyone knew what was going on but turned a blind eye. I really found your analysis as another unique viewpoint with ideas I didn't explore in the latter part of the paragraph. Excellent analysis Patrick!
Hi Patrick,
ReplyDeleteNice close reading! I think you chose a really interesting passage to discuss and I really liked how you said “the older woman exposed the truth to these men that she is telling the story to.” The men being told her story are not only hearing her experience, but gaining new knowledge as you mentioned and I think that makes the passage you chose something to note.
Hello Patrick, Nice job on the close reading of Saikaku. I enjoyed reading your analysis and seeing your what you enjoyed from the reading. From what you wrote the reading seems interesting for I have not yet read it but when I do get to reading it I will be able to get a better understanding. Good job on including quotes and overall keeping it nice and easy to read, have a good one man keep up the good work.
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