Pathway to Japanese Literature
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| Original Title | 四人 |
|---|---|
| Author | 芥川 多加志 |
| Genre | Modern Short Fiction |
| Author Type | Male Author |
| Summary | In a tense Tokyo household, Shun’ichi’s simmering frustration erupts into a volatile clash with his younger brother Hiroshi over trivial grievances. A failed attempt to assert authority—stomping on an unyielding gourd—leaves Shun’ichi humiliated, spiraling into self-loathing as he retreats to brood over philosophical texts and scribble fragmented thoughts in a neglected notebook. His erratic moods swing between rage and melancholy, amplified by sleeplessness and nicotine haze. A walk through sunlit streets offers fleeting respite, but chance encounters—a dismissive Hiroshi, a pragmatic friend, and a cheerful cousin—reignite his turmoil. As storm clouds gather, so does Shun’ichi’s resolve to confront his brother, only to unravel into uneasy truce under Yoshiko’s mediation. Rain lashes the city, mirroring his inner chaos, while fragile hope flickers: *Today* was different. But tomorrow looms, threatening to reclaim old shadows. Through fractured pride and fleeting connections, Akutagawa paints a portrait of human frailty—where anger dissolves into exhaustion, and clarity drowns in summer downpours. |
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