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Worm of AngerAuthor: Toyoshima Yoshio
| Original Title | 怒りの虫 |
|---|---|
| Author | 豊島 与志雄 |
| Genre | Modern Short Fiction |
| Author Type | Male Author |
| Summary | Kiyama Uhei, once a man of gentle temperament, finds himself increasingly consumed by inexplicable fits of rage—a transformation those around him attribute to a mysterious "worm of anger" nesting within him. Minor irritations, like a misplaced handkerchief or a trivial remark about frayed sleeves, trigger explosive outbursts that alienate friends and family. His once-stable life unravels further through clandestine meetings with a married woman, their fraught relationship trapped between societal expectations and volatile emotions. As Kiyama’s health deteriorates—marked by night sweats, tremors, and erratic behavior—his inner turmoil mirrors the decay of sacred pine trees in his care, symbols of a world clinging to fragile traditions. Haunted by guilt and physical decline, he spirals into isolation, leaving others to wonder whether his anger stems from human frailty or something darker lurking beneath the surface. The story weaves tension between external propriety and hidden desperation, promising a haunting exploration of a man’s unraveling psyche. |
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