Lentz,+Jessica.

=**The Self in Japanese versus American Literature**= ====One of the most prominent and noticeable differences between Japanese and American cultures is through the view of the individual in relation to society as well as to the family unit. Perhaps because of the vast amount of distance between each country, both have adapted their own specific beliefs regarding the importance each individual has in regard to their specific duties in their lives. This difference in cultures can be compared through the study and observation of both Japanese and American literature in that authors from both countries express their beliefs and views through their stories and the significance and responsibility of their characters.====

Japanese Views of the Self
====Many cultures, including the Japanese, do not hold self-esteem and individual expression in high regard due to the importance that society presses upon familial values. The Japanese believe that personal gain should be for the sole benefit of the family unit. Since the tradition in Japanese culture is for families of several generations to live in the same household, it is extremely important to the Japanese to bring up their children to believe in sustaining order within the family. Therefore, younger generations will grow up with a sense of responsibility to take care of their entire immediate family. According to one researcher, “The central motive of Japanese is self improvement. That is, they worry that they will not be as good as the in-group wants them to be” (Gannon 33). Basically, the importance of the individual rests in what they can offer to enhance the lives of their previous and future generations. If Japanese adolescents were brought up to believe in a strong sense of self-esteem and self-enhancement then they may want to leave home and create a new life for themselves, which would ultimately destroy the order in Japanese households.====

[[image:japanese_cherry_blosom.jpg width="240" height="180" align="left"]]The Self in Japanese Literature
====The importance of the individual to the family or “in-group” can be subtly viewed through one of the works by Natsume Soseki. Soseki’s //Kokoro// depicts a young Japanese student who yearns for the freedom of self-expression and knowledge while living in Tokyo. However, he does return home to his dying father because of his deep rooted and expected values of his obligation to his family and his duty to uphold family honor. The Japanese ideal that the individual should be devoted to the group, rather than the self, is apparent through this portrayal of a Japanese student.====

[[image:self-image.jpg width="322" height="235" align="right" caption="Individualism is Highly Valued in American Society"]]
====American’s in the United States have been raised for many generations to believe in the importance of upholding dignity and self importance in the individuals of society. Gannon states: “The central motive of Americans is self-enhancement, that is they are worried about not being better than most members of the in-group” (33). In American society, individuals are urged to express themselves so that they gain a sense of importance and high self-esteem. With this high sense of self-esteem, individuals feel motivated to do whatever they find fulfilling in their personal lives. Individuals are urged to leave the homes of their families with motivation derived from a high level of self-esteem so that they will be able to succeed and flourish in society.====

The Self in American Literature
====In Richard Wright’s “Native Son” the young protagonist, Bigger Thomas, commits an act of murder which could be related to his inability to express himself as an individual in a racially discriminating society. This act of murder could have been prevented if Bigger would not have had such a low level of self-esteem and self-worth. Richard Wright conveys that all Americans should not be discriminated against because it lowers one’s views of their own personal value as an individual.====

====Both Japanese and American societies hold different views of the importance of the individual according to the values which are most significant to their culture. This is one of the most interesting differences between these two countries because of the extremely opposing views that both have towards every individual in their society. While the Japanese believe that individualism may ruin the structure and foundation of the family, American’s believe that individualism creates a sense of pride and importance to the family in comparison with the rest of American society.====

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