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Patriotism was written by Yukio Mishima in 1960. This short story reveals many things including how Mishima wanted to die. It is a clear a vision of what was soon to happen to him. He gives life to the Lieutenant Shinji Takeyama which commits suicide in a very disturbing way. Cultural aspects can be very difficult to understand especially when it includes death because this could be absurd to other cultures. To understand those actions we have to investigate their cultures and put ourselves in their shoes. Sometimes people’s love for their country collides with the love they feel for their loved ones causing them to sacrifice themselves in order to be loyal to both. This can be proven in the story on the third page, first column and the second, fourth and fifth paragraphs of “Patriotism”: “I knew nothing. They hadn’t asked me to join. Perhaps out of consideration, because I was newly married. Kanô, and Homma too, and Yamaguchi.” “ There may be an imperial ordinance sent down tomorrow. They’ll be posted as rebels, I imagine. I shall be in command of a unit with orders to attack them… I can’t do it. It’s impossible to do a thing like that.” “ … Tomorrow morning, without question, I must leave to join the attack. I can’t do it, Reiko.” This though situation causes the lieutenant to choose between the love of his comrades and the love of his country.
Approximate Word count = 925 Approximate Pages = 3.7 (250 words per page double spaced)
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