Fragility of Dream in Hana and Imogayu

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  • 『鼻』『芋粥』 : 弱性への凝視
  • ハナ イモガユ ジャクセイ エ ノ ギョウシ

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Abstract

Ryunosuke Akutagawa's Hana and Imogayu have a similar motif; in the former story Zenchi-Naigu strongly wishes that his nose will be smaller, while in the latter Goi as strongly wishes that he can eat as much of "imogayu" (a kind of porridge with sweet potato in it) as he likes. Each wish of these characters is eventually fulfilled, but paradoxically, as soon as their dream came true, they realize how fragile such wish-fulfillment is. In both cases, such disappointment is caused by the existence of others. Thus in both of the stories, fragility of dreams metaphorically represents that of human beings who are hopelessly controlled by others.

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