Dominic Leung’s Reviews > How Do You Live? > Status Update

Reading Uncle's notebook - What makes a Great Person: On the life of Napoleon

Uncle kept praising Napoleon for his great accomplishments for his country and humanity. In the span of twenty years, he rose to become the Emperor of France and was defeated and exiled to the island of Elba. Even the great German writer Goethe admired Napoleon's boundless vitality and force of will and was moved to tell of it.

Reading Uncle's notebook - What makes a Great Person: On the life of Napoleon

Copper's uncle recounted Napoleon's career to Copper. He was raised in a state of poverty from a fallen noble family. Got into military school and became a second lieutenant. But in a scant ten years, he went from a poor, undistinguished officer whom nobody would look at twice to the throne of the emperor.

Reading How Do You Live - Chapter 5

As Katsuko explained how Napoleon faced the army of the Allied forces in his motherland, she said she was stunned by his unwavering attitude against an unbeatable opponent. Then they had lunch with Mizutani's mother and her brother in the main house. After they returned to the Annex, Kitami started talking about the movement of the senior students against their juniors.

Reading Chapter Five - Napoleon and the Four Young Men

After Copper arrived at Mizutani's house, he was taken to the annex by a steward. When he entered Mizutani's room, a young lady of seventeen or eighteen, Mizutani's older sister, Katsuko, was telling the story of Napoleon against the combined army of Austria and Russia. She admired the heroic spirit of Napoleon when he faced the Cossack cavalry with courage.

Reading Chapter Five - Napoleon and the Four Young Men

The second-term exams were over, and Mizutani invited Copper, Kitami and Uragawa to his mansion to play together. After hearing Uragawa's story from Copper, Mizutani began to be friendly to Uragawa. Maybe it's because he respected Uragawa's station. On the fifth day of the new year, Copper walked the streets to Kitami's mansion.

Finished Uncle's Notebook - On Poverty and Humanity

Uncle mentioned the difference between consumers and producers. Since humans eat food, wear clothes and consume resources. Producers were paramount to the daily operations of society; conversely, consumers only took resources as they pleased. In this case, Copper was a consumer, and Uragawa was a producer, which meant Copper should respect Uragawa in his station.

Reading Uncle's Notebook - On Poverty and Humanity

The Uncle told Copper that he was in a fortunate position where nothing would hinder his study. Unlike Uraragawa, he had to take time off from studying to work. But even Uaragawas was in poverty in Copper's eyes. In Uraragawa's workers' eyes, they were in a much better position than they were. Most people were pursued by work constantly and couldn't take a break.

Reading Uncle's Notebook - On Poverty and Humanity

Copper's uncle started his entry by praising Copper for not looking down on Uragawa because of his poverty, poor grades and status. His uncle was happy that both Uragawa and Copper were good, honest young men.

Finished How Do You Live - Chapter 4

Copper walked alongside Uragawa to the train station; they parted ways at the end of the alley, going into the boulevard. The next Tuesday, Copper visited again. He helped Uragawa catch up on all of the subjects and schoolwork. In turn, he let Copper have a go at the motor in the tofu shop. When Copper returned home, he went to his uncle's house to tell him about his visits.