Pathway to Japanese Literature
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The Paradox of YouthAuthor: Oda Sakunosuke
| Original Title | 青春の逆説 |
|---|---|
| Author | 織田 作之助 |
| Genre | Modern Short Fiction |
| Author Type | Male Author |
| Summary | In the bustling tenements of Osaka, Okiyo’s unyielding spirit defies convention. A wild-hearted young woman who relishes life’s raw sensations—bare feet on cold floors, water cascading over her skin—she navigates a world shaped by men’s ambitions. Her first marriage to Keibe, a status-obsessed teacher, unravels in tragedy, leaving her adrift until she weds Nozoe Yasujirō, a miserly moneylender, to secure her son Hyōichi’s future. Yet survival demands sacrifice: Okiyo pawns her belongings and sews through sleepless nights, her beauty fading under hardship. \nHyōichi, burdened by shame and self-doubt, grapples with his identity in a society that mocks his poverty. His fragile pride fuels academic triumphs and reckless rebellions, while a fleeting romance with Kiyoko—a privileged girl blind to his struggles—leaves him haunted by inadequacy. As Okiyo endures loveless unions and Hyōichi battles invisible scars, their lives intertwine with Osaka’s gritty rhythm—a tapestry of resilience and quiet despair. Amidst crumbling alleys and whispered secrets, mother and son confront the paradox of youth: a fleeting dance between defiance and surrender, where every choice echoes through generations. |
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