Ethan Frei’s Reviews > The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea > Status Update

Noboru realizes Ryuiji’s intention to marry Fusako, and ruins his perception of him as the stereotypically proud Japanese navy man. Noboru is jovial upon the departure of Ryuiji, having his mother to himself once more, Fusako, on the contrary, this moment causes her immense emotional distress.

Mishima wrote 5 pages straight detailing the brutal murder of a kitten, and somehow managed to turn it into a lesson. ryuiji is an extremely conflicting character that is torn between the responsibilities of land and the freeness of the sea. Fusako is infatuated with western ideals and begins to reject the idea of her son and lover becoming friends.

Freud is being put to work in the eyes of Noboru. Ryuiji is torn between land and sea, his identity as a man is undefined. Fusako is representative of western thought while embracing her loved ones who represent pre war Japanese thought. Not yet clashing, just slight juxtaposition.