Kokoro: a Reflection on a Literary Theme

“Kokoro: A Reflection to the Main Literary Theme” “But even now, I feel a certain pride and happiness in the fact that my intuitive fondness for Sensei was later shown to have not been in vain” (Soseki 12). This quote from Soseki’s Kokoro provides an excellent glimpse to the meaning and translation of the title. The word “Kokoro” as the title is meant to reflect the fact that the narrator has feelings for and shares a rather unexplained desire for Sensei. The reason why the author chose this title is to reflect the main themes of this work of literature: feelings and sympathy. It is not certain why the narrator is drawn to Sensei in the first place, but the title as a metaphor for feelings and sympathy help the reader reflect upon why this might be. “I remember that I felt then, though only for a passing moment, a strange weight on my heart. Soon after, the memory of that moment faded away. One evening, however, towards the end of the Indian summer, it was unexpectedly brought back to my mind” (12). This next quote details how the narrator feels when in the company of Sensei. The narrator is able to sense the fact that he shares sympathy and feelings for Sensei, but is unable to articulate them. The author is quick to foreshadow events throughout the story, but often holds back critical information about the main theme which is the central meaning behind the title of the literary work. “Being young, I was rather inclined to become blindly devoted to a single cause. At least, so I must have appeared to Sensei. I considered conversation with Sensei more profitable than lectures at the university. I valued Sensei’s opinions more than I did those of my professors. Sensei … seemed to me to be a greater man than those famous professors who lectured to me…” (28-29). Again, the reader is able to see the intense amount of desire and feelings that the narrator has for Sensei. The narrator’s devotion to Sensei actually becomes more interesting than the main plot itself, for most readers are able to infer throughout the story that Sensei will tragically die at the end. The title, in and of itself, is used to highlight the main theme of the story. And the true meaning of the title is used to reflect the sympathy and feelings that the narrator gradually develops for one of the main characters, Sensei.

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